Di Matteo and Drogba coy on futures

Didier Drogba lifts the Champions League trophy

20 May 2012

Penalty shoot-out hero Didier Drogba and manager Roberto Di Matteo were united in refusing to allow talk of their own futures invade the greatest night in Chelsea history after the club's Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich.

Drogba scored the decisive kick, with what could prove to be his last contribution for the club as his contract is due to expire in the summer. He said: "This is a great day for the club. There are not enough words to describe how I feel. The most important thing is not my future. The most important thing is what we have achieved."

Di Matteo's future is equally uncertain despite rescuing Chelsea from meltdown following Andre Villas-Boas' dismissal in February. "I feel great," he said. "But I need a holiday because these last three months have been very challenging. At this moment, whatever the future holds for me is irrelevant."

Drogba's unlikely 88th-minute equaliser tied the game at 1-1 and sent the game at the Allianz Arena into extra-time.

"It was an amazing game. It was a crazy game," the forward said. "I was confident before I took the penalty. I wanted to score for my team-mates. I wanted to make Chelsea smile."

Di Matteo was evasive when talk turned to his future, even though it seems impossible that, having delivered the ultimate prize, Blues owner Roman Abramovich could now decide he is not capable of being Chelsea's new manager.

As he went up to get his medal, it did appear Di Matteo said "we did it" as he embraced Abramovich.

"I don't discuss those things in public," he said. "But he looked very happy on what was an historic night for our football club."

Di Matteo also claimed Chelsea deserve to take their place in next season's Champions League, which they will do at Tottenham's expense, even though they could only finish sixth in this year's Premier League.

"I do feel the winners should qualify for next season's competition," he said. That is the right thing. Whether it is fair or not for Tottenham to be in as well is not really for me to answer."