"?Aston Villa have appointed Roberto Di Matteo and former teammate Steve Clarke as manager and assistant for the 2016/17 season, in what is being regarded as quite a coup given the club's recent demise. Di Matteo is renowned for his playing career and having won the Champions League as Chelsea manager, but that shouldn't detract from the qualities Clarke will bring as his second in command.
The Scotsman has been in and around the Premier League for 18 years as a coach, and is highly-regarded in the game for his tactical nous and experience. There aren't many with the amount of years experience in a coaching capacity as Clarke, which is why the appointment has been met with such positivity. So who is Aston Villa's new assistant manager?
New Aston Villa boss Roberto di Matteo names ex-Chelsea team-mate Steve Clarke as assistanthttps://t.co/KDEwb4j7aM pic.twitter.com/emoyU5VsDR
Villa fans can expect a pragmatic, counter-attacking style of play next season, with more emphasis on suffocating the space for the opposition to play in. The Midlands outfit will be looking to turn defence into attack in a speedy fashion, while also retaining their structure to ensure they aren't suceptible on the break themselves.
The 52-year-old worked under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea between 2004-2007, in which time he was called "the best number two in the world,"? but his footballing education from a host of top-level jobs has considerably improved his coaching development.
At Chelsea, Clarke was given the task of match preparation and taking control of training session, while being able to learn from one of the greatest managers in the game. He won two league titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups as assistant manager at Stamford Bridge.
His coaching career started at Newcastle United in 1998, working under manager Ruud Gullit, and helped lead the side to an FA Cup final. After spending a number of years in the Chelsea youth side, Clarke worked his way up the ladder to become a no.2 with the Blues under Mourinho.
After his spell with Chelsea, Clarke joined West Ham United to work under Gianfranco Zola, finishing 9th in his first season. He was the highest-paid assistant manager at the time, but a disappointing second campaign led to his leaving by mutual consent.
He would go on to win the League Cup in 2012 with Liverpool alongside manager Kenny Dalglish, and was offered an extended deal after turning around the club's fortunes in his first season. He left with Dalglish in the summer of 2012 and moved to West Bromwich Albion for his first management role.
Leading Albion to their highest ever Premier League finish in his debut campaign (2012/13), Clarke's stock couldn't have been higher. However, a disappointing second season led to his sacking. The Scottish coach would go on to join Reading mid-season in 2014, and led them to the FA Cup semi-finals in his maiden campaign.
After being approached by Fulham in his second season at Reading, which Clarke rejected, the 52-year-old was sacked by the Royals in December 2015. He's now Aston Villa's number two, and will be working towards solidifying the tactical shape so Di Matteo's ideas can successfully be put into practice.
Few coaches boast the experience of Steve Clarke so supporters should be very excited to see what the pair can achieve in the Championship next season. Both he and Di Matteo have managed in the Football League and Premier League, which was a requirement made by chairman Steve Hollis, and the future may yet be bright for the Villains.