The former Stamford Bridge defender, who was a team-mate of Di Matteo for four years, has been impressed with the impact the interim boss has made since he replaced Andre Villas-Boas.

Various other candidates have been put to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich by leading agents since the dismissal of Villas-Boas earlier this month, but Di Matteo is regarded in some quarters as a front-runner.

"Mr Abramovich will do whatever he wants but I would really love to see Di Matteo keep the post," Desailly, who won the World Cup with France in 1998, told Goal.com.

"We are already hearing other coaches to come.

"Big names, small names, young, old, but maybe the secret is to keep Di Matteo."

Chelsea, who face Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final next month, are one step away from the Champions League semi-final and are still in the running to finish fourth in the league.

Desailly believes the club are benefitting from an improved relationship between the senior players and the manager following the discord towards the end of Villas-Boas’ time in charge.

"You can see the commitment of (Didier) Drogba, (Frank) Lampard and John Terry," Desailly said. "It is because of Di Matteo.

"It is because Di Matteo has a clear message to them."