Rafael Benitez was the favourite to land the job ahead of former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. A statement on Chelsea’s official website read:
“Chelsea Football Club can confirm Rafael Benitez has been appointed interim first-team manager until the end of the season.
“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.”
Roberto Di Matteo was sacked on Wednesday morning, hours after Chelsea’s terrible 3-0 defeat to Juventus. This result has left the Blues in an awkward position to qualify for the Last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
In the English Premier League, Chelsea conceded the top spot a few weeks ago. They now find themselves in third place having failed to beat West Bromwich Albion last weekend. Rafael Benitez’s task is to get the Blues back on track in the league and in Europe. Meanwhile, defending the club’s FA Cup title is also on the Spaniard’s to-do list.
Benitez’s first game in charge comes up on Sunday as Chelsea host Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. This season will present the former Liverpool manager with a chance to win his first ever English Premier League title.
