Robbie is back but not to coach

Last updated : 29 June 2011 By Paul Lagan

Robbie Di Matteo and to his right Steve Holland - two new members of Villas-Boas's management team. You might just recognise the back of Ron Gourlay's head on the left. Copyright Paul Lagan Sports

Robbie Di Matteo is back at Stamford Bridge.

He will be assistant manager to Andre Villas-Boas.

Now Robbie is not really a coach, and that's just dandy for Chelsea as Villas-Boas will take full control of all the sessions at Cobham.
Like Jose Mourinho before him, who elevated Steve Clarke from youth team coach to be his assistant, Boas-Villas has taken on board a man with Chelsea blood and a full understanding of how the English Premier League operates.
He will also be the new Ray Wilkins who fulfilled the same role for Scolari and Ancelotti.

But Clarke was a proper get sleeves rolled up and coach coach.

So Di Matteo's role at the club will be to advise, be a sounding board and provide that vital knowledge of the local terrain all non-English managers need when they first arrive.

Jose Mario Rocha, a 48-year-old fitness expert who worked alongside the new manager at both his previous clubs, Porto and Academica comes too along with Daniel Sousa, who will become head opposition scout.

Reserve coach Steve Holland steps up to work with the senior squad, becoming an assistant first team coach, while Christophe Lollichon continues as goalkeeping coach.