MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 16:47:26| >> :120:4046:4046:

Roberto Di Matteo: 'I started as a butcher'

Di Matteo reveals butcher career
© PA Photos
Chelsea interim boss Roberto Di Matteo admits that he gave up a career as a butcher to pursue football.

Roberto Di Matteo's career could have taken a very different path as the Chelsea interim manager has revealed that he planned to become a butcher.

The former West Bromwich Albion coach has admitted that he started an apprenticeship to become a butcher at 16 years of age, but in hindsight believes that he made the right choice to pursue a career in football.

"I've never told anyone this before but I started an apprenticeship as a butcher when I was 16," Di Matteo told FourFourTwo magazine.

"I lasted three weeks and then I dropped out. I couldn't handle the thought of doing it for the rest of my life, but I'd actually helped out there before becoming an apprentice so I knew how to use the knives.

"My father, who had encouraged me to study and not become a butcher, was very embarrassed when he went to explain to the butcher that I wasn't going to continue."

Following a successful period as a player, the 41-year-old could potentially lead the Blues to a Champions League and FA Cup trophy this season.

ID:22611: cacheID:22611:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1822:
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Restore Data
Share this article now:
John Terry
Read Next:
Terry hit with injury blow
>
Read more about Roberto Di Matteo Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!