Chelsea hero Roberto Di Matteo has revealed he is in talks over returning to the club as a coach and claimed that Blues boss Avram Grant has "put himself under pressure" with his defensive brand of football.
Di Matteo, who won two FA Cups, a European Cup Winners' Cup and a League Cup in 175 appearances for Chelsea, is currently taking his coaching qualifications with both UEFA and the Football Association.
"I would rather start coaching in England than Italy - I am doing all the licences here in England as well with the FA. I can't say too much more but I am talking with Chelsea at the moment." It is unclear if the Italian would work with the first-team under Grant, but the 37-year-old suggests winning both the Premier League and the Champions League this season may not be enough to save the Israeli's job.
"Every manager has his own style," he said. "If Grant said they were going to deliver more attractive football and they aren't, then he has put himself under pressure. "The fans have been critical but that has happened before. When Claudio Ranieri arrived, they were singing Gianluca's Vialli's name but he turned it around.
"If at the end of the season Grant wins the Premier League or the Champions League or both, that's what is going to make the fans change their attitude towards him.
"I don't know what the club would do if he doesn't deliver - or even if he does. Only God knows the answer to that. But he's been given a long contract."