The 39-year-old Italian has been named as Tony Mowbray's successor at The Hawthorns, having caught the eye in steering MK Dons to the League One play-offs last season.

Di Matteo has a hard act to follow as Mowbray, now in charge of SPL giants Celtic, steered Albion to promotion as champions last time the Baggies were in England's second tier.

But he feels his new charges will be right in the promotion mix if he can keep the majority of the playing squad at the club, with the likes of James Morrison, Jonathan Greening, Jonas Olsson and Paul Robinson tipped to make summer exits following last season's relegation from the Premier League.

Di Matteo is likely to be given funds for some new arrivals, and will look to wrap up the £2million capture of striker Simon Cox from Swindon this week.

But he has asked to be judged at the end of the 2009/10 season, with some pundits feeling his appointment is a gamble due to his lack of experience.

The former Chelsea midfielder said: "We are definitely going to apply our ideas and methods, and then you can judge me by the results. That is what everyone is going to do.

"I just need to win games and I will do what it takes. We will see at the end of the season where we stand."

Di Matteo added in the Birmingham Mail: "I agree that we will be one of the favourites (for promotion).

"If the squad is the same then we should be one of the favourites.

"Expectations are part of the job and you have to manage them. The pressure is always there as a manager because it is ultimately about winning games."