Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has declared his interest in the vacant Chelsea job following Roberto Di Matteo’s dismissal on Wednesday morning.

The 52-year-old Spaniard won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and finished second in the 2008-09 Premier League campaign, but left the club by mutual consent in 2010.

Following the dismissal of Di Matteo by Roman Abramovich, after the Blues lost 3-0 to Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday, the unemployed boss revealed his desire to take over the Stamford Bridge hot-seat.

“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,” he told Sport360.

“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.”

Di Matteo lost his job after a poor run of form which culminated in a heavy 3-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday night, leaving the club on the brink of European elimination.

And the former Anfield boss suggested he and his agent will work together to find a new role within football – with Abramovich keen to employ a manager who can build on Di Matteo’s European success.

“I have to talk with my agent and see what he has been doing the last couple of days,” he added. “But I am just trying to go to a team that can win. So we will find ways to have a challenge like this.”

Chelsea started the season brightly with seven league victories in eight games, but have only picked up two points from their last four games, and are staring at an early exit from Europe.