Former Managerial Target Resigns from Schalke

Former Chelsea caretaker boss, Roberto Di Matteo, who had previously been linked with the Newcastle job following Pardew's departure, has this morning resigned as manager of German side Schalke.

After only seven and a half months in charge at the German side, Di Matteo resigned after meetings with the club’s Director of Sport, Horst Heldt. An apparent difference of opinion over plans for next season has catalysed the Italian’s exit:

“I offered a plan for a possible successful future and what the conditions for that would need to be,” said Di Matteo, who had two years left in his contract.

“It became clear that the club had a different emphasis. This is why I decided to resign from my position as head coach.”

Having taken over in October 2014, the Italian steered the Bundesliga side from 11th to third. However, defeat by strugglers Hamburg on Saturday left Schalke with two wins from 10 games who, as a result, miss out on a Champions League place. A sixth-place finish means they will compete in next season’s Europa League.

A number of names have been banded around over the past few days in regards to the (hopefully) imminent bow-out of John Carver as caretaker manager.

The likes of Steve MacLaren, David Moyes and Michael Laudrup have all been mentioned, as has Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink who a few weeks ago earnt promotion from League Two with lowly Burton Albion.

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