Chelsea Football Club can confirm Rafael Benitez has been appointed interim first-team manager until the end of the season.
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.
The 52-year-old Spaniard is due to meet the players at the training ground in Cobham tomorrow.
The two-time UEFA Manager of the Year comes with outstanding pedigree. He began his managerial career in his homeland, most notably at Valencia where he built a reputation as one of Europe's top coaches by winning the Spanish League twice and the UEFA Cup. He then spent six years at Liverpool and led them to their fifth European Cup and an FA Cup.
Wednesday 21 November 2012
Chelsea FC sacks 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.
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.
Do you think it's a nice decision from Chelsea.
Thursday 26 July 2012
LATE OLYMPIC BLOW FOR BLUES DUO
Ryan Bertrand and Daniel Sturridge featured for Team GB as
Senegal scored late on to salvage a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Craig Bellamy had put the hosts in front after 20 minutes when a Ryan Giggs free-kick was headed straight into his path, but GB failed to kick on.
As a spectacle, there was little goalmouth action to speak of in the first-half, although Sturridge dragged one particular shot wide of the post as he attempted to latch on to a Giggs pass.
The Chelsea striker, whose participation in the tournament was in doubt until recently after he contracted viral meningitis, was withdrawn at half-time with Marvin Sordell replacing him.
Senegal improved after the break, but Stuart Pearce's side had a blatant penalty appeal waved away when Bellamy was brutally scythed down inside the penalty area, a decision which proved to be the turning point in the game.
Moments later, with only eight minutes left to play, Senegal scored the goal their second-half performance had merited when a quick break ended with Moussa Konate clipping his strike beyond the advancing Jack Butland.
As GB pressed for a winner in the dying moments, Sordell looked to have secured all three points as he met substitute Aaron Ramsey's cross, only to see his strike crash against the bar, before the referee blew for full-time.
Team GB are next in action on Sunday when they face UAE, who were beaten 2-1 by Uruguay in their opening game.
In what was clearly the most exciting game of the day, our newest recruit, Oscar [pictured above], was involved in a five-goal thriller as tournament favourites Brazil opened their campaign with a 3-2 win against Egypt in Cardiff.
The 20-year-old played the full 90 minutes and impressed throughout, laying on the first two goals for Mario Menezes' side in a scintillating first-half display.
A neat change of feet and slick pass allowed Rafael to open the scoring after 16 minutes, while shortly after he latched on to Hulk's flick, before rounding the goalkeeper and crossing for Damiao to double their advantage.
The game appeared to be over when Neymar made it 3-0 inside the opening half-hour, but goals from Aboutrika and Salah after the break set up a tense finish.
Chelsea duo Juan Mata and Oriol Romeu, meanwhile, were on the wrong end of a major shock in the opening game of the competition as Spain were beaten 1-0 by Japan at Hampden Park.
Yuki Otsu scored the only goal of the game in the 33rd minute following some poor defending by Spain, and their task was made all the more difficult nine minutes later when Inigo Dominguez was controversially dismissed for what appeared to be an innocuous challenge on Kensuke Nagai.
Mata, who played the full 90 minutes, was a central figure for Spain, particularly early on, and he almost broke the deadlock in the first-half, forcing Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda into a smart save.
However, shortly after Otsu's opener, Hiroshi Kiyotake had a wonderful chance to double Japan's advantage only to fire wide after rounding Manchester United's David De Gea.
Romeu entered the action in the 63rd minute, replacing Malaga playmaker Isco as they looked to gain a foothold in the match.
As the game moved into its final stages, both Mata and Barcelona's Jordi Alba went close, but the victory was no more than an impressive, efficient Japan deserved.
www.chelseafc.com
Craig Bellamy had put the hosts in front after 20 minutes when a Ryan Giggs free-kick was headed straight into his path, but GB failed to kick on.
As a spectacle, there was little goalmouth action to speak of in the first-half, although Sturridge dragged one particular shot wide of the post as he attempted to latch on to a Giggs pass.
The Chelsea striker, whose participation in the tournament was in doubt until recently after he contracted viral meningitis, was withdrawn at half-time with Marvin Sordell replacing him.
Senegal improved after the break, but Stuart Pearce's side had a blatant penalty appeal waved away when Bellamy was brutally scythed down inside the penalty area, a decision which proved to be the turning point in the game.
Moments later, with only eight minutes left to play, Senegal scored the goal their second-half performance had merited when a quick break ended with Moussa Konate clipping his strike beyond the advancing Jack Butland.
As GB pressed for a winner in the dying moments, Sordell looked to have secured all three points as he met substitute Aaron Ramsey's cross, only to see his strike crash against the bar, before the referee blew for full-time.
Team GB are next in action on Sunday when they face UAE, who were beaten 2-1 by Uruguay in their opening game.
In what was clearly the most exciting game of the day, our newest recruit, Oscar [pictured above], was involved in a five-goal thriller as tournament favourites Brazil opened their campaign with a 3-2 win against Egypt in Cardiff.
The 20-year-old played the full 90 minutes and impressed throughout, laying on the first two goals for Mario Menezes' side in a scintillating first-half display.
A neat change of feet and slick pass allowed Rafael to open the scoring after 16 minutes, while shortly after he latched on to Hulk's flick, before rounding the goalkeeper and crossing for Damiao to double their advantage.
The game appeared to be over when Neymar made it 3-0 inside the opening half-hour, but goals from Aboutrika and Salah after the break set up a tense finish.
Chelsea duo Juan Mata and Oriol Romeu, meanwhile, were on the wrong end of a major shock in the opening game of the competition as Spain were beaten 1-0 by Japan at Hampden Park.
Yuki Otsu scored the only goal of the game in the 33rd minute following some poor defending by Spain, and their task was made all the more difficult nine minutes later when Inigo Dominguez was controversially dismissed for what appeared to be an innocuous challenge on Kensuke Nagai.
Mata, who played the full 90 minutes, was a central figure for Spain, particularly early on, and he almost broke the deadlock in the first-half, forcing Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda into a smart save.
However, shortly after Otsu's opener, Hiroshi Kiyotake had a wonderful chance to double Japan's advantage only to fire wide after rounding Manchester United's David De Gea.
Romeu entered the action in the 63rd minute, replacing Malaga playmaker Isco as they looked to gain a foothold in the match.
As the game moved into its final stages, both Mata and Barcelona's Jordi Alba went close, but the victory was no more than an impressive, efficient Japan deserved.
www.chelseafc.com
Chelsea signs Thorgan Hazard
Chelsea have secured the signing of Eden Hazard's younger brother Thorgan from RC Lens.
The 19-year-old joins his older brother Eden at Stamford Bridge after completing his move from the Ligue 2 outfit, and plays in a similar position to his sibling, an attack minded midfielder. Eden completed a move earlier in the summer for around 32 million pounds.
Being two years younger than Eden, Thorgan Hazard is yet to earn a cap for Belgium, and has only made 11 appearances for his club side Lens.
However, he is a Belgian youth international after representing his nation at Under-16, Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 level, and played at the 2011 European Under-19 Championship.
He will join Chelsea's Under-21 squad, managed by Dermot Drummy, to continue his pre-season training and a loan move is being considered to continue his developement.
The 19-year-old joins his older brother Eden at Stamford Bridge after completing his move from the Ligue 2 outfit, and plays in a similar position to his sibling, an attack minded midfielder. Eden completed a move earlier in the summer for around 32 million pounds.
Being two years younger than Eden, Thorgan Hazard is yet to earn a cap for Belgium, and has only made 11 appearances for his club side Lens.
However, he is a Belgian youth international after representing his nation at Under-16, Under-17, Under-18 and Under-19 level, and played at the 2011 European Under-19 Championship.
He will join Chelsea's Under-21 squad, managed by Dermot Drummy, to continue his pre-season training and a loan move is being considered to continue his developement.
MLS ALL STARS DEFEATS CHELSEA 3:2 IN PRE SEASON
John Terry and Frank Lampard scored as Chelsea suffered a 3-2 defeat to the Major League Soccer All Stars at PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Terry and Lampard's goals had put the Champions League winners 2-1 ahead in the second half but the MLS All Stars hit back to draw level before snatching a late winner.
Los Angeles Galaxy star David Beckham - in bright pink boots - made an appearance for the All Stars on a whistle-stop trip back to the US between Olympic commitments in London.
Chris Wondolowski, Chris Pontius and Eddie Johnson scored for an All Stars side which also featured Thierry Henry, former Watford defender Jay DeMerit and ex-Everton loanee Landon Donovan.
San Jose Earthquakes forward Wondolowski, who leads the MLS scoring charts this season with 17 for San Jose, opened the scoring with a shot after 21 minutes but Terry levelled things up with a header from Lampard's corner just after the half hour mark.
Chelsea, who played summer signings Eden Hazard and Marko Marin, went ahead when Lampard shot home from close range after 58 minutes.
DC United's Pontius - later named as man of the match - equalised with 17 minutes to go and Johnson, formerly of Fulham, won the game with a goal in injury time.
The win is the All Stars' first over a visiting side in the annual fixture since 2008.
Wednesday 25 July 2012
CHELSEA FINALLY COMFIRMS THE SIGNING OF BRAZILIAN STAR OSCAR
Chelsea have confirmed they have completed the signing of Brazil
star Oscar from Internacional.
The 20-year-old is currently on international duty with the Brazil Olympic squad, as they prepare to go for gold at this summer's Olympics.
The former-Sao Paulo star has been linked with a move to Chelsea for the last few weeks, with a fee around the £25million mark rumoured, although the Blues have not disclosed the fee.
Oscar has played at every international age group since Under-15, and along with Neymar, Lucas Moura and Ganso, is rated as one of his country's brightest prospects.
He made his debut for the full national Brazil side in September 2011 against Argentina, and has since gone on to make a handful of appearances before winning a call-up to Mano Menezes' Olympic squad.
The Internacional star operates primilarly as a playmaker, and will find competition for places fierce at Chelsea, following the signings of Marko Marin and Eden Hazard. Chelsea star Juan Mata also plays in a similar position so Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo has a delicate balancing act on his hands to accomodate all his new talent.
The 5ft 10in attacking midfielder can also play out wide, and Tottenham Hotspur were interested in signing the youngster at one stage. But Chelsea have beaten their rivals to the signing.
The 20-year-old is currently on international duty with the Brazil Olympic squad, as they prepare to go for gold at this summer's Olympics.
The former-Sao Paulo star has been linked with a move to Chelsea for the last few weeks, with a fee around the £25million mark rumoured, although the Blues have not disclosed the fee.
Oscar has played at every international age group since Under-15, and along with Neymar, Lucas Moura and Ganso, is rated as one of his country's brightest prospects.
He made his debut for the full national Brazil side in September 2011 against Argentina, and has since gone on to make a handful of appearances before winning a call-up to Mano Menezes' Olympic squad.
The Internacional star operates primilarly as a playmaker, and will find competition for places fierce at Chelsea, following the signings of Marko Marin and Eden Hazard. Chelsea star Juan Mata also plays in a similar position so Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo has a delicate balancing act on his hands to accomodate all his new talent.
The 5ft 10in attacking midfielder can also play out wide, and Tottenham Hotspur were interested in signing the youngster at one stage. But Chelsea have beaten their rivals to the signing.
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