Chelsea hires Rafa Benitez

November 21, 2012
By ESPN.com news services
Chelsea named veteran Spaniard Rafa Benitez interim first-team manager until the end of the season, the club announced on its website Wednesday.

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

Martinez will replace Roberto Di Matteo, who was fired Wednesday with the team on the brink of becoming the first defending champion eliminated from the group stage. Six months ago, Di Matteo had guided Chelsea to an unlikely Champions ...

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MANAGERS UNDER ABRAMOVICH

CLAUDIO RANIERI (September 2000 to May 2004)

The first manager to spend Abramovich's billions was under pressure from day one amid rumours Sven-Goran Eriksson was being lined up to replace him. 'Tinkerman' tag did not help the Italian and, despite finishing second in the Premier League and reaching the Champions League semi-finals, he was sacked.


JOSE MOURINHO (June 2004 to September 2007)

Declared himself a 'Special One' and completely lived up to the moniker, becoming the most successful Chelsea manager ever. Immediately ended their 50-year wait for a league title with back-to-back Barclays Premier League crowns and also won the FA Cup and two Carling Cups. Champions League glory remained elusive and a power struggle with Abramovich eventually saw him leave.


AVRAM GRANT (September 2007 to May 2008)

Less than two months after arriving as director of football, Grant found himself parachuted into the manager's hotseat. Speculation was rife he did not have the backing of the dressing room but still managed to get the club to their only Champions League final. Also reached the Carling Cup final and finished second in the Premier League before sacking.


LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI (July 2008 to February 2009)

Billed as the man to inspire Chelsea to take final step in Champions League, World Cup-winner Scolari enjoyed a flying start but things soon began to go wrong amid rumours of dressing-room unrest. The timing of the Brazilian's sacking after just seven months still came as shock.


GUUS HIDDINK (February 2009 to May 2009)

Still revered by players and fans for rescuing Chelsea's season while combining Russia job with a caretaker role at Stamford Bridge. Won the FA Cup and desperately unlucky not to reach the Champions League final, Hiddink lost only one game in charge.


CARLO ANCELOTTI (June 2009 to May 2011)

Recruited largely because of two Champions League successes at AC Milan, instead delivered Chelsea's first ever double in maiden season. Nevertheless damaged by losing in the Champions League last 16, and a trophy-less season followed.


ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS (June 2011 to March 2012)

Arrived in London to a splash of publicity and dubbed as the 'new Mourinho' after a stellar spell in charge of Porto which took in domestic and European titles. Cracks soon emerged, though, with senior players reportedly baffled by his methods and unhappy with his selection policy. He was sacked after a defeat at West Brom.

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