Former Chelsea boss Glenn Hoddle has backed caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo to get the job at Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis.
Di Matteo has been looking after the club as interim boss since Andre Villas-Boas was sacked at the start of last month and has overseen the Blues reaching the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and the Champions League.
Now, Hoddle believes that a top-four finish in the Premier League will secure the job for Di Matteo.
"When Robbie was appointed caretaker, I said then that he was in pole position, and I feel now that he is most definitely in pole position for the way he has turned around the team in such a short space of time," said the former England boss.
"The whole atmosphere of the club has changed virtually overnight with Robbie at the helm, with that win over Napoli, a defeat by Manchester City, but bouncing back so brilliantly against Benfica.
"The feeling in the dressing room and around the club, lifting the players' spirits, which in turn has lifted the spirits of the supporters and everyone within the club. The criteria for Robbie landing the job, for me would be to ensure fourth place in the league."
Chelsea are currently sixth in the Premier League, two points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Barney Corkhill
