May 4 2012
Roberto Di Matteo is determined not to make Chelsea's FA Cup final about his past or his future as he backed his players to make their own history.
Blues captain John Terry led the tributes to Di Matteo at the club's cup final media day, urging his team-mates to beat Liverpool at Wembley to help their caretaker manager land the job full-time.
But when asked about his job prospects, Di Matteo said: "It's totally irrelevant. I'm just thinking about tomorrow's game and bringing a trophy home."
One bookmaker has stopped taking bets on Di Matteo's coronation, so spectacularly has he transformed the club's fortunes since being placed in charge two months ago.
Di Matteo was grateful for the backing of his players, saying: "It's great if they feel confident because they're the ones out on the pitch who have to bring the win and the trophy home for us.
"It's good to see they have belief that we can have success together."
The 41-year-old is also the overwhelming choice among supporters and he added: "I always had a great connection and relationship with the fans, and will have in the future as well."
The Italian faces a selection headache in midfield and attack, especially with Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres both in such fine form.
"Everybody wants to be part of it tomorrow, to play tomorrow," Di Matteo said, revealing he would decide on his line-up on Friday night and would not necessarily favour the four players suspended for this month's Champions League final.