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London - Former Chelsea midfielder Roberto Di Matteo has returned to Stamford Bridge as assistant to new coach Andre Villas-Boas.
Di Matteo played for the Londoners between 1996 and 2002 when injury forced his retirement at the age of 31.
"The first thing I told him when I called him was I had a feeling inside he was the right man for the job," Villas-Boas told his first news conference on Wednesday since replacing Carlo Ancelotti earlier this month.
"Not only because of what he represents for the club but also because of the quality of his work at West Bromwich Albion and Milton Keynes Dons."
Di Matteo scored FA Cup final goals when Chelsea won that trophy in 1997 and 2000, the first of which set a then-Wembley record for the earliest in a final after just 43 seconds.
The former Italy international was previously manager of Milton Keynes Dons and West Brom, the club he left in February.
Villas-Boas has also recruited Jose Mario Rocha, a 48-year-old fitness expert who worked alongside the Portuguese at his previous clubs Porto and Academica.
Another new face is Daniel Sousa who will become head opposition scout, the role occupied by Villas-Boas in his first spell at the club under Jose Mourinho between 2004 and 2007.
Sousa worked alongside Villas-Boas at his two former clubs. Steve Holland, Chelsea's reserve coach last season, will also step up to work with the senior squad.
