Casiraghi urges Di Matteo to coach

Last updated : 26 February 2002 By Rich Godden
Pierluigi Casiraghi's Chelsea career was very brief- he was injured within 4 months of signing for the club and would never return to professional football. But Casiraghi, not one to just sit around, has taken his first steps towards management. Whilst he is coaching Italian side Monza's youth team, he is also taking a Uefa coaching badge.

And Casiraghi had some words of sympathy for his former Blues team mate, "I feel so sorry for him. Since his injury I have been in regular contact with him. I know how he is feeling, it is very difficult when you're forced to quit, not through age or general tiredness but through injury.

"But Roberto is a great character and there is no doubt he could go on to be a very good coach".

And former Blues manager Luca Vialli agreed with Casiraghi, saying: "It is a big blow for Robbie and I feel very sorry for him. But I hope that he finds something as exciting as playing football in his life.

"He's got enough knowledge about the game to be a coach. Football is like an addiction and I think he will be back".