Drogba hails Di Matteo as Chelsea’s most ‘memorable’ coach

Didier Drogba has singled out Roberto Di Matteo as the most memorable Chelsea manager during his time at Stamford Bridge.

The Ivory Coast striker scored the winning penalty that secured the London club’s first-ever Champions League trophy in the final against Bayern Munich back in May under Di Matteo.

And Drogba, who is reported to be closing in on a move to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua after not renewing his contract in west London, says Di Matteo’s reign is the one that will be remembered most.

“I think we have had so many managers and all of them brought something special to Chelsea. All of them, I think, were part of our success,” said Drogba.

“When [José] Mourinho came, he built up the spirit that we kept all these years. When Carlo Ancelotti came, he also brought another way of playing and thinking. So, it’s difficult to choose one.

“The most remembered would be Roberto Di Matteo for winning the Champions League. The club was waiting for that.”

Reflecting on Chelsea’s triumph in Munich, which secured a trophy double after their FA Cup success, Drogba added: “Playing in the final was amazing. You have to be there at the Allianz Arena to feel the atmosphere.

“It was like a dream, you know. The scenario was like an Alfred Hitchcock movie.

“There was lots of disappointment and sadness when we conceded a goal. A few minutes later, we equalised and then it went to the penalties.

“It was like a lottery but when I had the chance to score from the penalty, I went through a gamut of emotions from the time I started walking to the penalty spot.

“Many things came to my head but I tried to stay calm and score for my friend Petr Cech, who had been amazing that day, saving three penalties.”

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