Rafael Benítez has appointed Boudewijn Zenden as his assistant manager at Chelsea, according to the Dutchman's father and agent.

Benítez will be officially unveiled as Roberto Di Matteo's short-term successor at a 5.30pm news conference at Stamford Bridge following a meeting with the squad and the former Liverpool manager has already begun the challenge of winning round his new club's players and fans, something that could be helped by adding a former Chelsea player to his coaching staff.

Pierre Zenden told Voetbal International his son was on his way to London. "He was approached on Wednesday by Benítez and is now on a flight," he said. "Since yesterday, he phoned Benítez many times. I assume that he will be on the pitch this afternoon, together with the manager. I assume he will finish the season, just like Benítez."

Zenden played for Chelsea between 2001 and 2004 before joining Benítez at Liverpool. The 36-year-old has never held a coaching role.

Meanwhile, Juan Mata has hailed Benítez as "a great coach" following his fellow Spaniard's appointment until the end of the season. The midfielder became the first Chelsea player to react publicly to Di Matteo's dismissal on Wednesday and he has now led the way in responding to Roman Abramovich's decision to hire Benítez.

"He's got lots of experience and won a lot of trophies with Liverpool, taking them to a very high level," Mata told the Daily Mail. "He knows the Premier League too."

Benítez's arrival has been seen by some as Abramovich's latest attempt to get Fernando Torres scoring. Torres has never recaptured the form he showed under Benítez at Anfield but Mata said: "I have total faith in Fernando Torres. He will score goals. He is a great striker and a great professional."

Benítez told Sport360 shortly before his appointment: "I think you can see in [Torres's] face that he is almost trying too hard. But I think the potential is still there. The problem with some players is that they are doing so well in a team and the understanding is so good that it is difficult to replicate that in another team. Sometimes, it is a question of time, but he is a good player, is keen to learn and is a good professional."