Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes believes Roberto Di Matteo should be given the Chelsea job on a full-time basis after guiding the club to the Champions League final.
Di Matteo took over as interim manager in March following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, and has since presided over a dramatic upturn in Chelsea's fortunes at home and abroad.
The 41-year-old Italian has masterminded Chelsea's FA Cup triumph while successfully steering the club to Saturday's final, beating Napoli, Benfica and mighty Barcelona in the knockout rounds.
Chelsea have said no decision on a long-term successor to Villas-Boas will be taken until the summer, and are reportedly desperate to persuade ex-Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola to take over at Stamford Bridge.
However the vastly experienced Heynckes told reporters here Friday that the best candidate could be found on Chelsea's doorstep.
"The decision is certainly not in my hands but we must not forget that (Di Matteo) has brought Chelsea all the way to the final with a very calm attitude," Heynckes said at a press conference.
"Seen from outside it seems that he's a very cool person who's very much in control, and that step-by-step he was able to improve the contact with the players and that he was able to create harmony. This harmony can be felt.
"I think he's done a marvellous job. In the position of the coach you need continuity. The atmosphere in the dressing room is very important, the harmony and respect between the players and the coach.
"I don't think there's any argument against him continuing."
Heynckes, 67, bidding to win his second Champions League title as a coach after winning with Real Madrid in 1998, said a Chelsea victory on Saturday ought to make Di Matteo's appointment a formality.
"I think that the position of Di Matteo and Chelsea can be understood. It's a huge club, a top club in Europe," he said.
"If you have the most important position in the club, you will try to find the best possible coach.
"You will try to find someone who has already won something, who has already won titles, who has all the attributes you seek for this kind of job.
"But let me say this yet again: he makes an excellent impression on me. If I was Abramovich I would continue with this young man."
