Benitez Appointed Napoli Manager

Napoli have appointed Rafael Benitez as their new manager.

Benitez, 53, had been looking for a new job with his deal as interim Chelsea manager coming to an end, and he will replace Walter Mazzarri, who has joined Napoli's Serie A rivals Inter.

Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis posted a picture of the pair shaking hands on Twitter and said "Rafa Benitez is the new coach of Napoli. "A man of great international experience. A leader." Napoli later confirmed the appointment on their website, calling Benitez a "prestigious" coach.

The Naples side finished second in Serie A, behind Juventus, and will be in the Champions League next season.

Ex-Liverpool boss Benitez guided Chelsea to victory in the Europa League while a third-place finish in the Premier League ensured Champions League football at Stamford Bridge next season.

Benitez also guided the Blues to the Club World Cup final - which they lost to South American champions Corinthians - and the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and League Cup.

Despite a season widely regarded as a success he remained unpopular with a section of the Chelsea support after succeeding Roberto Di Matteo in November, and had underlined his intention to leave the club at the end of the season.

The Spaniard was linked with the vacant roles at Everton and Stoke after announcing he would be leaving Chelsea.

However a career that has seen him win the Champions League and FA Cup with Liverpool, La Liga (twice) and Uefa Cup with Spanish club Valencia and a Club World Cup with Inter saw him reportedly courted by some of Europe's top clubs.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is expected to rejoin Chelsea this summer.