LONDON (AFP) - Roberto di Matteo, the former Chelsea and Italy midfielder, was unveiled Thursday as the new manager of English third-tier side Milton Keynes Dons.

Di Matteo, 38, replaces Paul Ince, one of his old opponents, after the former Manchester United midfielder became the manager of Premier League Blackburn Rovers after leading the Dons to promotion.

This will be Di Matteo's first post as a manager and he has signed a one-year contract with the option of a further year.

Di Matteo, forced to retire through injury six years ago, scored after only 43 seconds in the 1997 FA Cup final against Middlesbrough.

But although he was 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 now 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 will guarantee that we will do our best."