Benitez: Relationship with John Terry is 'fine'
by Natalie Pirks - ITV News Sport ReporterRafa Benitez described his relationship with Chelsea captain John Terry as "fine".
"He's the captain. Just another player in the squad," he said.
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Benitez: 'I have no problem with the board' at Chelsea
by Natalie Pirks - ITV News Sport ReporterChelsea manager Rafa Benitez entered today's press conference beaming in front of the flash bulbs.
"If you analyse carefully what I said...I said if we stick together behind the team we will get points," he said.
"I have no problems with the board, Abramovich or the players," he added.
"I would like to see a fantastic atmosphere supporting the team."
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Rafael Benitez reveals plan to leave Chelsea
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:
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.
Benitez: 'I'm disappointed with some fans'
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."
Benitez targets Europa League glory after Champions League exit
Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez has set his sights on Europa League glory - despite becoming the first Champions League holders to exit at the group stage.
The Blues beat FC Nordsjaelland 6-1 at Stamford Bridge, but were knocked out as Juventus' victory at Shakhtar Donetsk condemned them to third place in Group E.
The Europa League now awaits the west Londoners, whose manager Benitez collected his first win since replacing Roberto di Matteo.
He said: "You ask me if I will take the Europa League seriously; every competition is important for us so we will try to do our best and win if we can.
"We know that it is an important competition and we want to go as far as we can and if we can win the competition, we will try to do that."
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Report: Guardiola 'approached by Chelsea to be boss'
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has revealed that Pep Guardiola has been approached to become the new Chelsea boss, but that ex-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has not:
This week Pep Guardiola has been approached to take over Chelsea if the sacking got confirmed.
Pep said he will continue with his sabbatical.
Pep will doubt if it is a good idea to work for a man who changes his mind that often.
[...]Tthe instability of the club will make Pep think twice.
And Rafa BenÃtez, as we speak doing a talk in Abu Dhabi, has not got an offer from Chelsea or a call from them either.
Guardiola and Benitez joint favourites to replace Di Matteo
Ladbrokes have installed former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola and ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez as the favourites to succeed Roberto Di Matteo.
Guardiola and Benitez 6/4 joint favs to replace RDM. Surely Benitez is just a sideways appointment? 'Arry's 8/1 to sack off the Ukraine job.
From @LadsJess on Twitter: