Chelsea V QPR at Stamford Bridge - Match Preview

Roberto Di Matteo has refused to rule out his next job being as an assistant manager, despite his spectacular success as Chelsea caretaker boss.

Di Matteo has gone from no-hoper to serious contender to succeed Andre Villas-Boas on a permanent basis after an astonishing eight weeks in the Stamford Bridge hotseat.

Despite having led Chelsea to the Champions League and FA Cup finals, the Italian is none the wiser as to his long-term future.

Reports suggest owner Roman Abramovich will pull out all the stops to land Pep Guardiola, who yesterday confirmed he was quitting Barcelona at the end of the season.

Guardiola plans to take a sabbatical from the game but if he could be convinced to change his mind, that could leave Di Matteo looking for a new job.

There would be no shortage of suitors for the 41-year-old but there might also be the option of returning to the assistant role he held under Villas-Boas.

The former MK Dons and West Brom boss said: "When I decided to become a number two, I didn't look at it as a step backwards.

"I thought it was an exciting journey for myself, to be able to work with one of the best coaches in European football and for this club, which is in my heart.

"Sometimes in life you take a step back and two forwards.

"Whatever happens in the future, I'll think about it and see what is the right choice."

Di Matteo's number one priority upon his appointment was ensuring Chelsea qualified for next season's Champions League.

And despite their cup success, they remain in real danger of failing to do so after slipping to sixth in the Barclays Premier League, four points behind fourth-placed Newcastle.

If they are not to leave themselves having to win the Champions League to reach next season's competition, it would appear imperative they win Sunday's west London derby against QPR and Wednesday's head-to-head clash with Newcastle.

Di Matteo said: "We have to win our games and then see what the other results are.

"We are under pressure to win our games. That's our position."

The Italian also refused to panic about Chelsea's defensive crisis going into the clash.

John Terry will be the Blues' only fit regular centre-back, with Gary Cahill and David Luiz both injured and Branislav Ivanovic serving the final instalment of a three-match ban.

Di Matteo will almost certainly be forced to play someone out of position alongside captain Terry.

Jose Bosingwa would appear the favourite after his heroic performance in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg, which saw him press-ganged into playing centre-half when Terry was sent off. 

Following Chelsea's midweek exertions several changes are expected to the hosts' starting line-up going into the west London derby but QPR boss Mark Hughes feels that could put his side at a disadvantage.

"I'm sure they will make changes and freshen the group. You could argue that the guys who have been on the edge of the team in recent weeks," he said.

"It is their opportunity to push for a cup final place so whoever gets the opportunity to play against us is going to give it a go. Maybe you'd think that it would be an easier time to play them but given the circumstances in a game like this it is going to be difficult for us."

QPR have beaten the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham during a difficult season and Hughes admitted his team seem to prefer playing when the pressure is off.

"Our best performances have been against the better teams in the Premier League," he said.

"I don't know why that is, maybe the pressure is off and the expectations in terms of what people expect us to do is possibly different than when we go up against team where we are expected to win.

"The expectations from people outside the club is probably quite low in terms of what we can achieve against Chelsea - but internally I would suggest that we feel we can have a real go."