Chelsea’s new interim first-team manager Rafael Benitez arrived at Cobham this morning to meet his new players. The Spaniard was appointed late on Wednesday to take charge of the Chelsea team until the end of this season and brings with him a wealth of experience at the highest level of the game, both in England and Europe.
He has twice been named as UEFA Coach of the Year, in 2004 and 2005, as well as collecting five Premier League Manager of the Month awards. His coaching career started with Real Madrid, where he was in charge of the Under-19 side. He also gained experience with several clubs in the Spanish second tier before being given a chance with his first big club, Valencia, who he took to two league titles and victory in the UEFA Cup.
However, he will be best known to Chelsea fans for his time with Liverpool, where he won the Champions League in 2005. His six years at Anfield also saw him win the FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield. Another piece of silverware Benitez has lifted is the FIFA Club World Cup, which the Blues will contest for the first time in Japan next month, having won the competition with Inter Milan in 2010.
