Rafa interested in Chelsea job

Rafa Benitez has admitted that Chelsea 'fall in the category' of clubs he would be interested in managing after Roberto di Matteo's sacking.



Benitez - in Abu Dhabi to talk at a coaching seminar - did not confirm or deny whether there had been any contact with the Stamford Bridge club.



The Spaniard is being heavily linked with a return to the Premier League with Chelsea, with bookmakers making him odds-on favourite.



"Obviously it is a top side and they can compete for trophies so it falls in this category," Benitez told The National. "What I will say is that I am looking for a club that can challenge for trophies so Chelsea is one of these clubs.



"The reason [I have not coached for nearly two years] is that you are looking for a top side that can challenge for trophies, because there are not too many top sides that can challenge so I had to wait."



Benitez is known to have spoken to Chelsea in the summer but backed away as they were only willing to offer a one-year term, with Pep Guardiola - currently on a sabbatical - tipped to take charge.



Before news of Di Matteo's sacking broke on Wednesday, Benitez had said that his "next challenge was close".