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Chelsea are set to appoint Rafa Benitez as the club's new manager, MirrorFootball understands.

Roberto Di Matteo was sacked this morning, just six months after winning the Champions League with the club.

The Italian looked doomed after a 3-0 defeat at Juventus on Tuesday night left the Blues' hopes of progressing to the knock-out stages hanging by a thread.

The club confirmed the Italian had left the club in a statement this morning.

"Chelsea Football Club has parted company this morning with Manager Roberto Di Matteo.

"The team's recent performances and results have not been good enough and the owner and the Board felt that a change was necessary now to keep the club moving in the right direction as we head into a vitally important part of the season.

"The club faces a difficult task ahead in qualifying for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League as well as maintaining a strong challenge for the top of the Premier League while competing in three other cup competitions. Our aim is to remain as competitive as possible and challenge strongly on all fronts.

(Image: Michael Regan)

"The owner and the Board would like to thank Roberto for all he has done for the club since taking over in March. Roberto helped guide us to an historic Champions League victory and a seventh FA Cup. We will never forget the huge contribution he has made to this club's history and he will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge.

"The club will be making an announcement shortly regarding a new first team manager."

MirrorFootball understands that new manager is set to be former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

The Spaniard is flying into London this evening and will head straight for talks with the Chelsea hierarchy when he lands.

The appointment could even be confirmed tonight, if negotiations run smoothly. If so, Chelsea are expected to make an announcement after 8pm tonight.

Benitez left his last job at Inter Milan just before Christmas 2010 and has been 'considering his options' since then.

Responding to questions about whether he wanted the Stamford Bridge job, Rafa said earlier today: "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.

"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."