Roman Abramovich seldom does things by half, and last night he completed arguably his most controversial day as Chelsea owner by appointing Rafael Benitez to succeed Roberto Di Matteo as manager.

The Russian gave the former Liverpool boss a contract until the end of the season, having seemingly been unable to grab Pep Guardiola, the man said to be his top target.

A Chelsea statement claimed: "Chelsea FC can confirm Rafael Benitez has been appointed interim, first-team manager until the end of the season.

"The owner and board believe that, in Benitez, we have a manager with significant experience at the highest level, who can help deliver objectives.

"He is due to meet the players at the training ground in Cobham today."

Benitez spent six years at Liverpool and led them to their fifth European Cup and an FA Cup.

The length of the Spaniard's contract is the clearest indication yet of Abramovich's determination to land Guardiola once the former Barcelona boss completes a one-year sabbatical.

Last night's news was also the culmination of a breathless 24-hour period that was extraordinary even by Chelsea's standards.

What began on Tuesday with Di Matteo axing Fernando Torres against Juventus, ended last night with the arrival of the man who made the £50million flop one of the best strikers in the world.

However, he became largely disliked among his new club's fans.

In between all that, Di Matteo joined the ever-increasing list of men to be sacked by Abramovich, who is now on his ninth manager in just more than eight years.

It would be no exaggeration to say Benitez would be the least popular of his appointments judging by the reaction of Chelsea supporters on social media.

His Liverpool links, run-ins with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho and mixed records at Anfield and Inter Milan were all criticised.

But that failed to deny Benitez, who spent yesterday in Abu Dhabi, from where he agreed a contract with Chelsea after leaving little doubt about his interest in them.

He said: "I am looking for a club that can challenge for trophies and Chelsea is one of these clubs."

That was much the same as he said earlier this year before watching Di Matteo pick Chelsea up to inspire the greatest climax to a season in the club's history.

But not even delivering Abramovich's Holy Grail, the Champions League – as well as the FA Cup – could spare Di Matteo becoming the latest victim of the most uncompromising owner in football.