Roberto Di Matteo: 'I started as a butcher'

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.