Roberto di Matteo is set to be appointed the full-time manager of Champions League winners Chelsea this week.
The Italian took over the managerial reins in March after Andre Villas-Boas was sacked by club owner Roman Abramovich and went on to guide the team to an FA and European Cup double.
Di Matteo, 42, will return from a family holiday on Wednesday, when he is expected to be announced as the Russian's sixth full-time managerial appointment in nine years.
However it is expected to be a short-term deal for Di Matteo, who Abramovich is understood to have initially been reluctant to offer a second promotion from his two-and-a-half-month interim stint.
Di Matteo had expressed a reluctance to accept a short-term deal, acutely aware of how it was likely to undermine his authority at the west London side.
And Pep Guardiola's availability next summer is likely to entice Abramovich, a renowned admirer of the former Barcelona coach, once the Spaniard has taken a year-long sabbatical from football.
Di Matteo, whilst participating in a PFA legends tournament in Barbados last week, was described as "strained and serious" as he strolled along the Caribbean beach with his mobile pressed to his ear.
The signings of Marko Marin from Werder Bremen and, most recently, Eden Hazard from Lille for £32m, were made without his input as Chelsea's owner continued to reaffirm his superiority irrespective of who the manager is.
But Di Matteo will be rewarded for bringing the club their first ever European Cup honour, charged with the task of upgrading on the reticent and pragmatic performances which were instrumental in Chelsea's victory on the continent.
