Aston Villa are expected to officially announce that Roberto Di Matteo is their new manager on Friday ahead of plotting their escape from the Championship next season.
The Italian coach has been top of the Villa shortlist since Dr Tony Xia completed his takeover of the club last month, with David Moyes and Nigel Pearson dropping out of contention.
In turn, Di Matteo is the last remaining candidate, and as reported by Sky Sports, he will be appointed on Friday with former Chelsea teammate Steve Clarke joining him in the Villa dugout as of next season.
The former Schalke boss secured promotion to the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion in 2010, before winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012. Although his managerial career hasn’t been overly positive since then, he seemingly has the experience required to oversee Villa’s revival.
The club endured a miserable year this past season, finishing bottom of the Premier League table with just three wins in their 38 games.
In turn, it will be vital for Xia to make the right appointment to ensure that they make a swift return to the English top flight, and Di Matteo’s ambition, experience and desire will likely ensure he is considered the right man for the job.
Meanwhile, Clarke has previously worked as an assistant at Newcastle United, Chelsea, West Ham United and Liverpool before taking the top jobs at West Brom and Reading.
Villa will hope that his addition to the coaching staff will be a big boost for the squad, although changes are expected at the club this summer in order to get them in the right shape to launch a promotion push.