Roberto Di Matteo has been confirmed as the new head coach of West Bromwich Albion. The Milton Keynes Dons manager succeeds Tony Mowbray, who joined Celtic last month.

Alan Irvine, the Preston North End manager, had been the favourite for the post until Di Matteo made himself the first choice after having an impressive interview with Jeremy Peace, the chairman. Dave Jones, of Cardiff City, and Derek McInnes, of St Johnstone, were also linked with the job, but stayed with their present clubs.

Di Matteo is due to be presented to the media tomorrow. The confirmation of his appointment was delayed when Athole Still, Di Matteo's agent, was unable to reach the Midlands until late yesterday afternoon after a series of transport mishaps on a journey from Copenhagen. Eddie Newton, Di Matteo's assistant at stadium:mk and a former team-mate at Chelsea, is expected to join Di Matteo at The Hawthorns.

Taking over a team that were in the Barclays Premier League last season and will be among the favourites to return will mark a remarkable ascent for Di Matteo, 39, who will be in only his second season as a manager. In his first, he led MK Dons - newly promoted to Coca-Cola League One - to within two points of automatic promotion to the Championship. They had to settle for the League One play-offs, where they were beaten on penalties by Scunthorpe United in the semi-finals.

Yet his appointment as successor to Paul Ince was a risk for MK Dons and unexpected even to Di Matteo. “It was the first time I'd even considered, let alone applied for, a manager's job,” he said. “I went out of courtesy, partially because I thought the interview would be a great experience.

“I turned up, I was myself as I always am, because I know I'm not a good actor, and I thought nothing would come of it.” He had signed a contract extension in December designed to keep him until June 2011.

The Swiss-born Italy midfield player had a distinguished playing career, enjoying success in this country with Chelsea, winning two FA Cups - scoring in each final - a League Cup and a European Cup Winners' Cup.

The departure leaves MK Dons looking for a new manager for the fourth successive summer after Ince left for Blackburn Rovers in June last year. Martin Allen departed for Leicester City in 2007 and Danny Wilson parted company with the club in 2006.

For Pete Winkelman, the club chairman, that his choices as manager are sought by other clubs proves his judgment of potential, but he must wonder why those whom he appoints do not see his club as a place where they can achieve their long-term ambitions.

Ince would be a favourite of fans to return, although Winkelman will want him to apply for the job rather than wait for a call.