Rafa interested in Chelsea job

Rafa Benitez has admitted that Chelsea 'fall in the category' of clubs he would be interested in managing after Roberto di Matteo's sacking.



Benitez - in Abu Dhabi to talk at a coaching seminar - did not confirm or deny whether there had been any contact with the Stamford Bridge club.



The Spaniard is being heavily linked with a return to the Premier League with Chelsea, with bookmakers making him odds-on favourite.



"Obviously it is a top side and they can compete for trophies so it falls in this category," Benitez told The National. "What I will say is that I am looking for a club that can challenge for trophies so Chelsea is one of these clubs.



"The reason [I have not coached for nearly two years] is that you are looking for a top side that can challenge for trophies, because there are not too many top sides that can challenge so I had to wait."



Benitez is known to have spoken to Chelsea in the summer but backed away as they were only willing to offer a one-year term, with Pep Guardiola - currently on a sabbatical - tipped to take charge.



Before news of Di Matteo's sacking broke on Wednesday, Benitez had said that his "next challenge was close".

Di Matteo sacked by Chelsea

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has been sacked following a run of poor form.

The Italian won 24 of his 42 games in charge of the club but, after their 3-0 defeat to Juventus left them in danger of missing out on the knockout stages of the Champions League, Chelsea have decided to end his tenure.



Former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola and ex-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez have emerged as the early favourites to replace Di Matteo.



However, Harry Redknapp and former Stamford Bridge boss Jose Mourinho have also been mentioned as contenders for the position.



"The team's recent performances and results have not been good enough and the owner and the Board felt that a change was necessary now to keep the club moving in the right direction as we head into a vitally important part of the season," read a statement on the club website.



"The club faces a difficult task ahead in qualifying for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League as well as maintaining a strong challenge for the top of the Premier League while competing in three other cup competitions.



"Our aim is to remain as competitive as possible and challenge strongly on all fronts.



"The owner and the Board would like to thank Roberto for all he has done for the club since taking over in March.



"Roberto helped guide us to an historic Champions League victory and a seventh FA Cup. We will never forget the huge contribution he has made to this club's history and he will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge.



"The club will be making an announcement shortly regarding a new first team manager."

Di Matteo 'expects' sack

Roberto Di Matteo expects to lose his job as Chelsea manager following the UEFA Champions League defeat by Juventus.

- Di Matteo reacts to the 3-0 loss to Juventus that could be one of his final games in charge of the club.



Chelsea are in danger of becoming the first holders to fail to progress beyond the group phase following Tuesday's 3-0 reverse in Turin.



It means the Blues must beat Nordsjaelland in their final group game in a fortnight's time and hope Juventus lose to the already-qualified Shakhtar Donetsk in order to reach the last 16.



Allied to a run of four Premier League games without a win, Di Matteo's position as manager at Stamford Bridge has come under increasing scrutiny just months after signing a two-year contract.



Di Matteo was handed a permanent deal after leading the Blues to Champions League and FA Cup success having replaced previous boss Andre Villas-Boas in March.



Speaking after the defeat against Juventus, Di Matteo admitted that, as manager of Chelsea, his position at Stamford Bridge will always be a topic of debate.



He said: "In a big club like this - if you have a few bad results - you are going to be under pressure but you have to live with it.



"And it's been like that from day one and it's up to me to pick the players up now."



Sky sources now understand that the Italian is bracing himself to be dumped by Chelsea, who face champions Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend.