Aston Villa decided to go against Sir Alex Ferguson’s managerial recommendation when they appointed Roberto Di Matteo as the club’s new manager according to The Mirror.
It has been reported that Villa’s new owner Tony Xia asked the former Manchester United boss who he should appoint as new manager at Villa Park. Sir Alex Ferguson recommended that the club should hand the job to former Everton and Manchester United boss David Moyes but the Chinese businessman opted against that recommendation.
The appointment of Di Matteo to the Villa helm is thought to be a decision made 100% by new owner Tony Xia. Xia is said to have researched a number of available managers and made his decision to appoint Di Matteo to the role as he believes that the former Chelsea midfielder has both the managerial ability and popularity to succeed in the role.
Di Matteo succeeded Frenchman Remi Garde at Villa Park. Garde left Villa by mutual consent back in March after just 147 days in charge. Garde won just two of his 20 Premier League fixtures at the Villa helm as the club suffered a disastrous relegation to the Championship.
Popular Italian Di Matteo is looking to add more honours to his managerial CV during his time at Aston Villa after winning promotion with West Bromwich Albion and the FA Cup and Champions League with Chelsea.
