It’s been a busy summer for the former Juventus midfield enforcer as he hot-footed from the Italy dugout (and a quarter-final finish at Euro 2016) to start work at Stamford Bridge.
Having enjoyed a decorated playing career and scooped three consecutive La Liga titles as Old Lady boss, as well as the Coach of the Year award in 2013, Blues fans will be confident he can bring the Premier League crown back to Stamford Bridge.
Here are the other sporting stars who are celebrating their birthday:
1939: Roger Prideaux, former Sussex, Northamptonshire and England opening batsman (77).
1941: Heather McKay, Australian squash player unbeaten from 1962-80 (75).
1951: Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Australian who won seven grand slam singles tennis titles (65).
1958: Jimmy Frost, Rode Little Polveir to victory in 1989 Grand National (58).
1976: Paulo Wanchope, former Derby, West Ham and Manchester City striker and Costa Rica international (40).
1981: Titus Bramble, former Newcastle, Wigan and Sunderland defender (35).
1989: Victoria Azarenka, two-time Australian Open champion (27).
1986: Gary Dicker, Kilmarnock midfielder (30).