Rafael ‘Rafa’ Benitez has been named the interim manager of UEFA Champions League champions Chelsea Football Club after the dismissal of Roberto Di Matteo on Wednesday morning.

The club decided to part ways with Di Matteo as reported earlier today [+ read more] and Benitez has been signed by the EPL side as the interim first-team manager until the end of the season.

The Chelsea FC Press Release:

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.

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

The two-time UEFA Manager of the Year comes with outstanding pedigree. He began his managerial career in his homeland, most notably at Valencia where he built a reputation as one of Europe’s top coaches by winning the Spanish League twice and the UEFA Cup. He then spent six years at Liverpool and led them to their fifth European Cup and an FA Cup.