I'm not going, says Benitez, whatever fans might want
Neither Chelsea fan power nor board will dislodge me before contract expiries in May, Rafa assures BBC
RAFA BENITEZ claims he has an "excellent" relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and has no intention of leaving the club before his contract expires in May.
During an interview with BBC's Football Focus to be broadcast on Saturday, Benitez was asked about his now infamous attack on Chelsea fans and about his complaint regarding Roman Abramovich's decision to describe him as only an "interim" manager.
"My relationship with Roman is very good," Benitez replied. "When I meet with Roman Abramovich we talk about football. He will say, 'I don't like this' or 'I don't like that', but we talk like normal people and share a passion for football."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In the immediate aftermath of Wednesday's outburst, the media were quick to speculate that Benitez would be sacked. But the Chelsea board gave him a vote of confidence on Thursday and the Spaniard believes he'll see out his contract. "They know how we work and what we are trying to do," he said of the board.
He also dismissed reports of friction within the dressing-room, saying: "The players are really happy in what we are trying to do. Sometimes you win, sometimes you cannot… [but] there are no issues in the team. In terms of what we do, the players are fully behind the methods."
Since Benitez replaced Roberto Di Matteo as manager in November, Chelsea have slipped to fourth in the Premier League table but the 52-year-old believes there is still much to play for. "We still have 11 games to play in the Premier League, and we have the FA Cup and the Europa League," he said. "If we stick together and support the players we will be able to win games. Then at the end of the season I will leave and then they can criticise."
By "they" he means the section of Chelsea fans who have booed and jeered Benitez ever since his arrival because of his association with Liverpool. It was they who bore the brunt of Benitez's attack on Wednesday and he was unrepentant during the interview with the BBC.
"This group of fans that are singing or creating banners or whatever have to concentrate on supporting the team," he said. "The way to help the team is to support the players every single game. At home it will be easier for us. But if they continue like Wednesday, singing when we were winning two-nil [vs Middlesbrough], that does no favours to our team or our players."
Benitez had a final message for those fans who, according to the Mirror, will create "hell" for their manager when Chelsea host West Brom on Saturday. ""Everyone knows I will finish my contract at the end of the season."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 2, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
Thomas Tuchel to become next England football manager
Speed Read 'Divisive' German coach hopes to lead the men's team to victory
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published