Give Di Matteo a three-year-deal, says beaten Bayern coach Heynckes
By Daily Mail Sports, 19 May 2012
Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has called on Roman Abramovich to give Roberto Di Matteo a three-year contract after Chelsea secured Champions League glory for the first time in their history.
After presiding over a startling upturn in fortunes following Andre Villas-Boas' dismissal in February, Di Matteo still doesn't know if he is going to get the job on a permanent basis.
Bowed and beaten: Bayern's Bastian Schweinsteiger (right) and head coach Jupp Heynckes
Heynckes sees no reason for further delay.
'I congratulate Chelsea on their victory,' said Heynckes. 'If you wish me to say something about Roberto di Matteo it is that Chelsea should give him a three-year contract.'
Heynckes admitted his side had no-one to blame but themselves after dominating throughout the 120 minutes.
However, after taking the lead through Thomas Muller with just eight minutes remaining, Bayern allowed Didier Drogba to level in the final minute.
Then, after Arjen Robben had a penalty saved by Petr Cech in extra-time, the customary German efficiency in shoot-out situations failed them as Drogba scored the winning spot-kick to secure a 4-3 triumph.
'Chelsea played the way we thought,' said Heynckes. 'We must blame ourselves for having so many goalscoring opportunities without being able to score until the 83rd minute.'
Fallen: Bayern Munich missed a host of chances
Heynckes also confirmed he expected Franck Ribery to shrug off the injury that he sustained in a tackle by Drogba that earned Bayern their extra-time penalty.
The Bayern coach also cleared Robben of any responsibility, the Dutchman failing to take one of his side's five penalties following his earlier failure.
'You can understand if he didn't score the penalty in extra-time that he may have lost some self-confidence to participate in the penalty shoot-out,' said Heynckes. 'That is quite easy to see.'
That's football: Drogba consoles Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger