Rafael Benitez has been confirmed as the new manager of Chelsea.

The 52-year-old former Liverpool boss has signed a deal at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season.

Roberto Di Matteo was sacked as manager of the Blues in the early hours of Wednesday morning following a series of disappointing results.

"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," read a statement on Chelsea's official website.

Benitez will meet up with the Chelsea players at their Cobham training ground on Thursday.

The Spaniard has been out of a job since December 2010, when he was dismissed as Inter Milan coach after just seven months at the club.

Benitez last worked in the Premier League with Liverpool.

He guided them to the Champions League and FA Cup during a six-year spell at Anfield before he left the Merseysiders in June 2010.