The 52-year-old Spaniard takes charge of the European champions on an interim basis until the end of the campaign after spending almost two years out of work following his dismissal at Inter Milan.

Di Matteo was sacked on Wednesday after Chelsea's loss in Turin left them on the brink of exiting the Champions League, which they won last season.

Later on Wednesday, a statement on the club's website read: "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."

Benitez will take charge of his second English Premier League club after a successful six-year spell at Liverpool between 2004 and 2010. 

His time on Merseyside led to success in Europe as he won the club's fifth European Cup in his second season. 

Roman Abramovich relieved Di Matteo of his duties despite the Italian guiding the club to their maiden Champions League trophy and a seventh FA Cup last season.

Benitez becomes the ninth Chelsea manager in nine years in the Abramovich era.

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says Di Matteo's sacking at came as no surprise to him.

The Russian owner backed his new man in the off-season, as the likes of Eden Hazard and Oscar arrived in the capital with Atletico Madrid's Colombian superstar Radamel Falcao another potential recruit.

But after suffering a similar fate to the Italian earlier this year, Villas-Boas said the Chelsea managerial job had become a poisoned chalice.

"At Chelsea, another sacking is like any other day in the office – that's my interpretation," Villas-Boas said. 

"And the only thing I would like to say about the situation is that it's obviously difficult for Robbie (Di Matteo). I wish him well in his career. 

"He has achieved so much in such a short time. His CV is maybe one of the best now in the world – he's won the European Championship and an FA Cup."

Di Matteo has been replaced by former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who will take charge until the end of the season as Abramovich searches for a permanent replacement.

The Spaniard is the ninth manager in Abramovich's tenure, with Pep Guardiola and even Harry Redknapp thought to be among the favourites for the job.

Villas-Boas endured a torrid time at Stamford Bridge and parted company with Chelsea following a league defeat against West Bromwich Albion, but has settled into life well at White Hart Lane.

"I have a personal relationship with Robbie, and when appropriate, we will have a conversation about the situation," Villas-Boas said. 

"But I'm not in a position to advise any friend or anyone regarding their professional life. 

"What I would say is that we have to focus on Tottenham's interests and we have a big game tomorrow to win (against Lazio in the Europa League), which would put us through in the competition. Our focus can't be turned away from that."