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Chelsea close in on Benitez

Rafa Benitez will fly to England from Abu Dhabi © Getty Images

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Rafa Benitez is in advanced negotiations to succeed Roberto Di Matteo as Chelsea manager, ESPN understands.

It is believed that talks have progressed far enough for Benitez to be confirmed as Chelsea's new boss on Wednesday night - just 24 hours after the Blues were on their way to the 3-0 defeat at Juventus that ultimately cost Di Matteo his job.

Benitez has been out of work for two years since being axed by Inter Milan after six months at the San Siro; an appointment by Chelsea would be the second successive time he has taken charge of reigning European champions.

Before Inter, the Spanish boss spent six years in charge of Liverpool, where he had the upper hand on Chelsea in a number of high-profile encounters - including Champions League semi-finals in 2005 and 2007.

Coincidentally he will take Chelsea to the Club World Cup in December - a competition that he won as Inter boss before being sacked days after lifting the trophy.

In March, ESPN broke the story that Benitez was first under consideration for the Chelsea job before Andre Villa-Boas was sacked, with talks breaking down because the Spaniard wanted an 18-month contract and the deal on offer was only until the end of the season.

But with a similarly short-term deal on the table this time around, Benitez appears to have changed his mind and is prepared to try to prove himself between now and next May, with a clause thought to be included that would see him granted a full season in 2013-14 should he turn results around.

Benitez is in Abu Dhabi for a scheduled appearance at a coaching conference, but is now making plans to fly into Manchester on Thursday morning.

He told Sport360° on Wednesday: "I have just found out [about Di Matteo]. Obviously Chelsea is a top side and they can compete for trophies so it goes in this category."

Asked if Chelsea had already made an approach, he replied: "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."

Despite the impending appointment of Benitez, Blues owner Roman Abramovich is still thought to want to bring former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola to Stamford Bridge as a long-term managerial option next summer.

Guardiola remains on a year's sabbatical in New York but will start planning his future early in the New Year, indicating that Benitez has an even shorter period to impress.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.