Roberto Di Matteo will have to wait until the summer to see if he gets the Chelsea job on a permanent basis, according to the club's chief executive Ron Gourlay.

The Italian took over as interim manager when the club sacked Andre Villas-Boas in March.

But despite losing just once in fifteen games and guiding the club to the UEFA Champions League final on May 19th, Di Matteo will not learn of whether he has earned a new deal until the end of the season.

"We appointed Robbie until the end of the season and he has done a fantastic job," said Gourlay.

"But we will stick to our word and wait until the end of the season.

Results

"We will take one game at a time and see where we are. We think that is the best thing for everyone and we should focus on getting the results that this football team needs.

"We need to wait because we have got a number of big games before we get to the Champions League final."

Chelsea are in the final after Di Matteo masterminded a two-legged victory over the defending champions Barcelona.

His side overcame a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 despite going down to 10 men following the dismissal of skipper John Terry for violent conduct just past the half hour mark.

But the manner of their victory has come in for criticism from some quarters as they defended doggedly to ensure a stunning victory over the two legs.

And Gourlay has taken a swipe at the club's critics, hailing the game as one of the best he has ever seen.

"I have been at the club for eight years and that game was the biggest night ever since I have been here," he added.

Luck

"People are entitled to their opinion. Robbie set his team out to beat Barcelona over two games and we are the ones in the final.

"We were very disciplined, defended extremely well and rode our luck at times. If you look at the previous winners of the Champions League they have all had a bit of luck in this competition and I will take as much luck that comes our way.

"As far as I am concerned we found a way to beat Barcelona when we were down to ten men for nearly an hour and two goals down so I am surprised that people have chosen to criticise the way that we did it."