Chelsea appoints Rafa Benitez as new manager

Former Liverpool and Inter Milan coach, Rafa Benitez, has been confirmed as the new coach of Chelsea. The Spaniard takes over from Roberto Di Matteo, who was sacked on Wednesday morning, after a back-to-back defeats against West Brom and Juventus.

“Chelsea Football Club can confirm Rafael Benitez has been appointed interim first-team manager until the end of the season,” a club statement read.

“The owner and the Board believe that in Benitez we have a manager with significant experience at the highest level of football, who can come in and immediately help deliver our objectives.

“The 52-year-old Spaniard is due to meet the players at the training ground in Cobham tomorrow.”

Benitez has not managed any club for two years, since he was fired at Inter Milan after only six months in charge. There were however speculations in March, that Roman Abramovich, had held talks with Benitez after sacking Andre Villas-Boas, but no deal could be agreed because he demanded an 18-month contract.

But it seems he has had a change of mind, as there is a similar short-term deal on the table and he is determined to prove himself once again in England.

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