Benitez no more 'Interim Manager' - Napoli Hires him for Full Two Years

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Rafael Benitez who never had an 'owned relationship' either with the Blues or with the Chelsea fans as their interim manager, must have taken a sigh of relief after Napoli hired him for two full years.

"I am very happy and very satisfied for having committed to a great club with an illustrious heritage like Napoli," said Spaniard Benitez.

It may be added that Benitez's stint as interim Chelsea boss is coming to an end and he will replace Walter Mazzarri, who has joined Napoli's Serie A rivals Inter.

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Rafa Benitez challenges Blues to end season on a higher season-ending place

The Chelsea much liked-much disliked 'interim' manager Rafael Benitez is hopeful that his team will end the season on a high after securing a place in the Europa League final after victory over Basel.

Although they are third in the Premier League and in a good position to book a spot in next season's Champions League, the European trophy is the Blues' only chance of silverware this campaign.

Chelsea return to Premier League action on Sunday with a trip to champions Manchester United before they host Tottenham, who are three points behind in the race for a top-four place, on Wednesday.

( via BBC Sport / Football ) 
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Chelsea Interim Manager Benitez Surrenders - Annouces Exit in May

He seems to have it enough - Rafael Benitez, the Chelsea's interim manager.

You may ask why?

Well if you are not a Chelsea fan, you would know neither the Chelsea players like him nor the fans. And whenever Chelsea loses, no one but Rafa is blamed for the defeat.

Even a section of the club's supporters was unable to forgive or forget Benitez for his association with Liverpool, and the acrimonious rivalry formed with then Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

The recent 2-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City has been enough when even the players rebounded on an angry 'interim manager' who was expressing his disgust over the players for losing.

The decision came after the Blues defeated Middlesbrough 2-0 in the FA Cup fifth round.

Showing his disgust, Rafa told BBC Radio 5 live: "Chelsea gave me the title of interim manager, which is a massive mistake. I'm the manager. The fans are not helping us. At the end of the season I will leave. They don't have to worry about me."

Asked a question about the importance of the FA Cup, Benitez responded with an outspoken rant in which he said:

• He would leave the club in the summer;
• The "interim" title was a "massive mistake";
• He was only given the title so the club could "wash our hands" of him if he failed;
• Supporters were "wasting their time" in protesting against him;
• Fans' actions could cost the club a top-four place;
• The only reason supporters are unhappy with him is because of his Liverpool background.

What do you think - has Chelsea players and fans been supportive or disruptive? Is Rafa's outburst justified?

Read more about it at: BBC Sport/Football 

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Chelsea may retain Lampard

Sense seems to be prevailing in the mindset of Chelsea's decision makers as there are now gossip of Chelsea talking to retaining Lampard.

Lampard's late penalty in the FA Cup was his 194th goal for the club, moving him second on the all-time Chelsea goalscorers list [Getty Images]

Lampard who has given 12 best years of his professional life has not been shown any green light of re-contracting as his present contract with the Blues is about to come to an end.

Lampard is alread said to be having plans of joining Italian Serie A.

Chelsea fans, who are already very hostile about the conduct of the interim manager Rafa, have grown increasingly angry that the club were apparently willing to let him leave without any dialogue.

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Chelsea fans chanted 'Sign him up, sign him up' after Lampard's goal but manager Rafa Benitez says he is powerless to intervene as it is beyond his remit as interim boss.

However as of now, Lampard's future remains clouded by uncertainty and hangs on the whim of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, he is continuing to embroider his legend at the club.

Read more about it at: Mail Online

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Chelsea 'can' win: a half hearted 'resolve' by Benitez

Chelsea new (interim) manager Benitez Tuesday said that he believes Chelsea 'can' still win the title despite their failure to score in his two games in charge so far.

"Why can't we?" Benitez replied when asked about Chelsea's title hopes. "It's still a long way to go. We have to keep going. We'll have chances."

While every team 'can' win, but this does not show resolve to win - a much stronger statement showing the interim manager's resolve should have been "Chelsea will win' rather than meak 'can.' The recent performance of Chelsea under Benitez has been far from satisfactory as Chelsea shared a stalemate with Fulham after the Blues' own fans jeered him in a goalless draw with Manchester City.

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As of now, the Londoners lie seven points behind leaders Manchester United in third.

Chelsea were four points clear at the top of the table after their 4-2 win at Tottenham on 21 October, but they have lost their form and a manger since then.

Read more about it at: BBC

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Benitez gets hostile reception from Chelsea's supporters

The Chelsea - Manchester City show off Sunday was the first test case of Blues' interim manager Rafael Benitez to see whether he was accepted by the Chelsea fans or not. And he was not - at all.

Chelsea interim manager Benitez faces hostile crowd on his first appearance Photo: Straits Times

In fact Rafael Benitez received a 'fiercely hostile reception  from the Chelsea fans at the Stamford Bridge when the Blues and the Citizens came to play. The goalless draw made the Chelsea spectators more furious in rejecting Rafael Benitez appointment as the interim manager. The Spaniard was met with deafening jeers when he arrived in the technical area before kick-off, with the stadium announcer struggling to make himself heard ahead of a minute's applause for former Chelsea manager Dave Sexton, who has passed away.

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The Chelsea fans were furious in the wake of Benitez's old rivalry with them during his time at Anfield - and they made their strength of feeling abundantly clear.

It may be added that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich appointed the former Liverpool manager on an interim basis after sacking Roberto Di Matteo only six months after winning the Champions League and FA Cup.

Read more about it at: BBC News

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Rafael Benitez succeeds Roberto Di Matteo to inject new life in Chelsea

So finally the move comes replacing Roberto Di Matteo with Rafael Benitez.

Now it is up to the new incumbant to prove his worth and mettle not only to the team but also the countless fans of Chelsea - who expect something 'out of the Blue' after the new man takes charge and stock of the Blues' affairs.

Chelsea's Russian handed the former Liverpool boss a contract until the end of the season, having seemingly been unable to woo the man said to be his number one target. This means he is still on probation and an interim arrangement, which places enormous pressure on Benitez to unleash whatever strategy he has up his sleeve to ensure a permanent arrangement with the Blues.

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As for the moment, club has confidence in Bentiez: "The owner and the board believe that, in Benitez, we have a manager with significant experience at the highest level of football, who can come in and immediately help deliver our objectives."

Let us see what wonders he does as much is expected of him.

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