Benitez tells Sport360°: 'I'm interested in Chelsea job'

EXCLUSIVE: Rafael Benitez has declared his interest in the vacant manager’s job at Chelsea.

The former Valencia, Liverpool and Internazionale manager has emerged as the strong early favourite to replace Roberto Di Matteo, who was sacked on Wednesday morning following the Blues 3-0 Champions League defeat to Juventus.

Benitez was speaking at a coaching seminar in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday afternoon before flying back to the UK overnight.

The Spaniard has been out of work since December 2010 after winning the Club World Cup with Inter in the UAE capital and says he has been waiting for a “top side who can win things”.

And he told Sport360°: “I have just found out [about Di Matteo]. Obviously Chelsea is a top side and they can compete for trophies so it goes in this category.”

Asked if Chelsea had already made an approach, he replied: “You ask directly, I cannot answer directly. In football a lot of people are talking so we will see what happens in the next few days. I am looking for a club that can challenge for trophies and Chelsea is one of these clubs.”

There has also been speculation in the UK that Benitez could be approached to take the job on a short-term basis.

When asked about this, the 52-year-old replied: “I have to talk with my agent and see what he has been doing the last couple of days. But I am just trying to go to a team that can win. So we will find ways to have a challenge like this.”

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