Former Chelsea boss Ruud Gullit believes that owner Roman Abramovich must make Roberto Di Matteo the club's next permanent manager.
The Italian has only been in interim charge for seven weeks, in which time he has guided the Blues to an FA Cup Final and a first-leg victory over world champions Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Gullit, who spent three years as a player and then player-manager at Stamford Bridge in the late '90s, thinks that the club needs to be led by someone who is passionate about Chelsea.
He told The Mirror: "I am so pleased for Roberto di Matteo and coach Eddie Newton, my two buddies at the club. They are both men with a real Chelsea heart.
"They have given Chelsea back their own identity. We now see the real face of Chelsea again.
"I hope this is acknowledged by the board and the owner of the club. I hope they will get the chance to keep the job after this season and hold technical power at Stamford Bridge.''
Di Matteo has claimed that he is yet to discuss his long-term future with the Chelsea board.
Robert Summerscales
