Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez revealed during a press conference last night that he will stand down at the end of the season.
Speaking after Chelsea's 2-0 win against Middlesbrough, Benitez said he was "disappointed" with some fans who he described as "wasting time" making negative banners instead of supporting the club.
He also revealed that he did not expect the word "interim" to be added to his title when he signed his contract:
Chelsea's interim manager Rafael Benitez has complained about fans "wasting time" by making negative banners. Here is a selection of anti-Benitez banners over the years:
Watch: Rafa: 'Don't worry about me - I'm leaving'
Watch Rafael Benitez's interview with ITV4 after Chelsea beat Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium in the FA Cup fifth-round.
Chelsea fans have been giving their reactions to interim manager Rafael Benitez's outburst on Twitter:
Chelsea fans didn't give him a chance? What did u expect? It was made clear he wasn't wanted even before he got employed. #CFC
From @nelyvanile on Twitter:As much as I want Rafa gone, this is getting out of control. He said fans should back the team, or accept results can't improve. #CFC
From @MarkTGunner on Twitter:On a more positive note: whoever the next Chelsea manager is, will benefit massively from not being Benitez.
From @GrantJames_CFC on Twitter:Listen again: Full recording of Rafael Benitez slamming Chelsea fans
Rafa says 'don't worry about me, i'm leaving at the end of the season'. Still time for Chelsea fans to get him to change his mind.
From @GaryLineker on Twitter:With this Rafa rant at fans, at 'interim' title bestowed on him etc, his departure may come a lot sooner than the end of the season.
From @GaryLineker on Twitter:
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season.
Read the full storyWow! Rafa lays squarely into some CFC fans with an 'agenda', & says back the team or be in Europa Lge next season. Explosive! @talksport
From @StanCollymore on Twitter:
Rafael Benitez was appointed on a short-term deal in November to replace sacked Champions League-winning boss Roberto Di Matteo but was never popular with fans and results have not improved.
He said: "I have been in charge in football for 26 years. I have won the Champions League, won the FIFA Club World Cup, the FA Cup, the Italian Supper Cup, the Spanish league twice, nine trophies, all the trophies you can win at club level.
"A group of fans, they are not doing any favours for the team when they are singing and wasting time preparing banners.
"It's because someone made a mistake. They put my title (as) 'interim manager', and I will leave at the end of the season, so they don't need to waste time with me.
"They have to concentrate on supporting the team, that's what they have to do.
In the end, they are not doing any favours to the club, to the rest of the fans and to the players.
"Every game they continue singing and they continue preparing banners, they are wasting time. What they have to do is support the team.
"If we cannot achieve what we expect to achieve, that is to be in the top four and be in the Champions League for next year, I will leave; they will stay in the Europa League."
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season.
