Chelsea manager Di Matteo signs two-year deal

LONDON (AP) ― Chelsea handed Roberto Di Matteo the fulltime manager’s job on a two-year contract Wednesday, rewarding the Italian for guiding the club to its first European Cup title.

Di Matteo replaced fired manager Andre Villas-Boas for the final 11 weeks of the season on an interim basis, revitalizing a divided team and turning them into FA Cup and European champions.

After weeks of uncertainty over his long-term future, the 42-year-old former Chelsea midfielder returned to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday to sign a deal that gives him the job on a permanent basis.

Harry Redknapp fired

LONDON (AP) ― Harry Redknapp has been fired by Tottenham after almost four years as manager of the Premier League soccer club.

Chairman Daniel Levy said in a statement on the club website posted early Thursday that “this is not a decision the board and I have taken lightly.”