London - Arabstoday
The Italian has learned from the hugely successful Real Madrid coach\'s spell at Stamford Bridge how to transform the Blues\' fortunes since taking over from Andre Villas-Boas.Jose Mourinho won six trophies in three seasons to become the most successful manager in Chelsea\'s history but if there has been one negative element to the legacy he left at Stamford Bridge, it is the enormous level of expectation placed on those who have succeeded him since.Only Carlo Ancelotti has delivered one of the two trophies - the Premier League title, with the other being the Champions League crown - that Roman Abramovich truly craves and the following season\'s dip into second place saw the former AC Milan boss relieved of his duties.Another Italian, Roberto Di Matteo, has proved the unlikely architect of a European run that could, against all odds, end with glory in the competition many believe Mourinho would have conquered had he been afforded another season in London.Di Matteo\'s Chelsea find themselves on the verge of the Champions League final following a 1-0 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of the semi-final on Wednesday.Whereas his predecessor, Andre Villas-Boas, looked to stamp his own authority on the Blues\' squad, Di Matteo has embraced the remains of the Mourinho regime in order to guide Chelsea to an end of season run that seemed all but impossible just weeks ago.Goal.com examines the traits shared by the two managers that have, past and present, captured the attention of the Bridge...Di Matteo\'s ambitions will stretch well beyond what he has achieved in less than four years as a manager but Wednesday\'s match against Barcelona capped what can already be lauded as a remarkable rise to the top.The Italian may have a long way to go before he can be counted among the likes of Pep Guardiola as one of Europe\'s elite bosses, but he did not look out of place on the Stamford Bridge touchline as he stood alongside the Barcelona mastermind.Cutting his teeth at League One level with MK Dons, Di Matteo immediately looked the part during a period in which the likes of Mourinho had begun to inspire a change to the traditionally practical attire donned by managers in the dugout.Most bosses in the third tier opted to stick with their tracksuits but Di Matteo\'s modern image caught the eye of managerless West Brom, who he guided into the Premier League at the first time of asking.\"He\'s cool,\" Baggies midfielder Steven Reid admitted. \"He looks the part on the touchline as well. He\'s cool, calm and he’s immaculately turned out. The Italians have a bit of style and he brings that into the changing room.\"