Former Liverpool and Inter coach Rafael Benitez has been appointed interim manager of European champions Chelsea until the end of the season, the club said in a statement.

The Spaniard becomes the ninth manager under Russian owner Roman Abramovich and replaces Roberto Di Matteo who was sacked six months after leading the Premier League club to their first Champions League title.

His dismissal followed Chelsea's 3-0 defeat to Juventus yesterday.

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