The former Chelsea star was unveiled to the press this morning after signing a one-year-deal with the club, with an option for a further year.

Eddie Newton and Ade Mafe were also introduced as assistant manager and fitness coach respectively.

And the ex-Italy midfielder said he had no hesitations about following Paul Ince as the new Dons manger, despite spending the last six years away from the game.

Di Matteo said: "I have never really left football. I still have that fire inside and with the chairman it was something that we talked about and we got on very quickly and it was a very easy decision.

"A good player won't necessarily be a good manager. But I'd like to be a more successful manager than I was player.

"There is a good team here already that had success last year, we are in a different division now, one step up and I think we can build on that and hopefully keep the momentum going and help the chairman implement his vision which is to take the club even higher."

Di Matteo appeared relaxed and spoke well and said he will be getting straight into the nitty-gritty of transfers and day-to-day dealings of management.

"Yes, the chairman has told me how much I will have to spend and we will work with that. I just want to get on with my work now.

"We have been very busy the last three days but we won't rush into any decisions, we want to get the right people for the club and for the team.

"I know a lot about the squad and am looking forward to working with them, I will be meeting them after this press conference."

But when asked about what kind of manager he expects to be, he admitted he didn't know.

"I can't foresee the future so we will have to wait and see."