Roberto di Matteo, the former Chelsea and Italy midfielder, says he is hopeful of success after being named as the new manager of Milton Keynes Dons. Di Matteo, 38, replaces Paul Ince, after the former Manchester United midfielder left to become the manager of Blackburn Rovers having led the Dons to promotion.

Di Matteo has signed a one-year contract with the option of a further year in his first managerial post since he was forced to retire through injury six years ago.

Capped 34 times by Italy, Di Matteo said he wanted to be more successful as a manager than he was as a player. "A good player doesn't mean a good manager, but I want to be more successful as a manager.

"This year, we are in a different division, one step up, but want to keep the momentum going and help the chairman implement his vision to take the club higher.

"It is a young club, a very ambitious club, the chairman has a great vision and it is a great opportunity for me to start here. I am very excited, but have to be realistic - it is our first year in League One, but I will guarantee that we will do our best."

Pete Winkelman, the MK Dons chairman, said he was confident Di Matteo would succeed. "Roberto is a very ambitious young man," he said. "We are both taking the risk in terms of working with each other.

"But I have learnt to not be scared of change. We have learnt a lot over the last few years and we have a very strong backroom staff now.

Matteo has brought in Eddie Newton, a former Chelsea team-mate, as his right-hand man, while Ade Mafe, the former British sprinter, joins the staff as fitness coach.

Di Matteo is believed to have seen off competition for the post from Ian Holloway, the former Leicester, QPR and Plymouth Argyle boss and Steve Cotterill, the ex-Burnley manager.