Rafael Benitez happy with reaction of Chelsea supporters

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Chelsea 2-1 Everton: Rafael Benitez proud of time at Blues

Rafael Benitez believes he has won over a significant section of Chelsea's fans as he prepares to leave the club.

The former Liverpool manager was an unpopular appointment when he replaced Roberto Di Matteo in November.

But the Blues won the Europa League and Sunday's 2-1 win over Everton confirmed third place in the Premier League and Champions League qualification.

"I received a lot of messages," said Benitez, who did not join the players for their lap of honour.

"I was quite happy with the response of a lot of the fans. You can't change the opinion of everyone but a lot of people realise what we've tried to do.

"You prefer people supporting the team and you, but if it's not the case you just try to do your job as well as you can."

The Spaniard has declared himself satisfied with his achievements at Stamford Bridge in a campaign that stretched to 69 games.

He added: "Winning finals and finishing third, with a team that finished sixth last year, is quite good.

"I am really proud because we have a team in transition and you can see young players, playing 69 games and doing well to the last game. I'm pleased for them and really proud."

Benitez revealed in March that he would be leaving Chelsea at the end of the campaign.

He said he expected his future employment options to become clearer over the next few weeks.

"We'll have to wait," he said. "Some leagues have finished now and people are making decisions so we'll see what happens."

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  • Chelsea's players gave Guus Hiddink a £200,000 watch at the end of his spell at Stamford Bridge but outgoing boss Rafael Benitez did not even receive thanks from John Terry, Frank Lampard or Paulo Ferreira during on-pitch speeches following the 2-1 win over Everton.

    This sums up this cesspit of a club and dressing room nicely.

  • As an outside observer i think that Rafa did a tremendous job at Chelsea and managed to tame some of the rampant egos in the dresssing room which had previously run the club. I would say good luck with your next club Rafa and hopefully you will find a more discerning audience who will appreciate your talents!

  • @57 There were some placards yesterday saying "We forgive Rafa"

    What arrogance!! The placards should have said "We're sorry, please forgive us".. for

    1. Booing you and not supporting the Chelse Manager
    2. Blaming you for RDM's sacking
    3. Attacking you because we didn't have the guts to oppose RA
    4. Appreciating the tough job you inheritted
    5. Not understanding how our idols were ruining our club

  • Chelsea:

    Classless club, classless players, classless fans.

    The world knows this.

  • I am a Chelsea season ticket holder and I would like to thank RB for the work he has done in last few months.
    He showed leadership and achieved 2 out of 3 of the club's targets.
    I am sure the majority of the CFC supporters recognizes that and wishes him well for the future.
    We can now turn the page and look forward to the next season.

  • just read the Daily Mirror story about players not even saying thank you on pitch speeches. Pretty sad that a europa trophy, 2 semi finals and a 3rd place league finish does not even warrant some appreciation. I will forever have animosity towards both the fans and players of chelsea for the reprehensible way that Rafa has been treated this season. I can only hope the next guy doesn't deliver!!!

  • How ironic would it be if Mr. Abramovich made the decision to keep Rafa in the manager's seat! For my money, the results he has delivered under very difficult circumstances with fans, says that he won over the players, won a cup and deserves the final accolade.
    Not sure the so called 'special one' is quite so special any more.

  • ...Terry, Lampard or Cole to say thank you to RB . Are you serious, you need class, manners and respect to do that and not have egos as big as a house to do that. Most hated 3 players in the Prem.

  • John Terry & Frank Lampard, hold your heads in shame!
    Rafa turned your clubs season around, got you a trophy, 3rd in the league.....and you don't even say thank you?

    I would have expected more from Frank, but I suppose we should just be thankful that the classless git Terry didn't racially insult anyone or relieve himself in front of everyone?

    Chelsea have NO class at all!

  • I was at the game yesterday and was really disappointed that JT didn’t at least thank Rafa for his work when speaking to the fans.

    Rafa would certainly have got a good round of applause. He brought the best out of the players. We will probably end up missing him.

  • Lamps8-CFC don't take this the wrong way, but are you below the age of 17? as some of your reactions seem a bit immature.

  • All the negative ratings, probably the same sad faced weasel who was holding the hastily scribbled A4 "Rafa out" piece of paper at his first match in charge. Painful the truth eh?

  • Winning the Europa League and qualifying for the Champions League would be considered as meeting expectations at Chelsea. However I consider this a great achievement from Benitez given that he only had 5 months there, inherited a squad of players and unjustly got barraged from some Chelsea fans. A weaker manager would have buckled under the pressure.

  • Rafa is well out of a club like Chelsea. That man wins trophies wherever he goes, recently allways in his first year too. Its telling that the pathetic, plastic (club) flag waving club were shown just how much regard that Rafa is held by true fans who appreciate what that man does for them when he bought Chelsea to Liverpool.Loudly applauded and sang about even though he was with the opposition.

  • There have been no gratitude for Rafa from the Chelsea hierachy.

    RA hired Rafa, allowed him to take all the flak and backlash over RDM's dismissal, never offering any words of support. At any other club, a senior club figure would have supported the manager.

    This is the ultimate diversity of class between Rafa and those who run the club, and the fickle plastic fans who booed him throughout.

  • @55 I agree that Rafa has done a great job, but that rampant egos have not been subdued. They operated through a different form. Had others to do their dirty work. The same people in the stand that carried the huge banners with humiliating slogans towards Rafa were the same that carried the also huge banners clamouring for their idols Terry and Lampard.

  • Have to say Rafa has done a great job. Agree with the comments of a couple on here too, about the dressing room... They shafted AVB and tried to do the same to Rafa. But he was as big a character as they were and showed them who was boss! Good on you Rafa, only wish Leeds had a manager like you!

  • As a neutral I think Benitez did a decent job under thecircumstances.
    Just look at succesful clubs, Man U, current champs have the same manager for 26 yrs. How many managers have Chelsea had since Jose was sacked?
    Continuety & stability are what bring lasting succes IMO.
    I'm a Celtic fan & I would love to see Benitez leading out the team at Parkhead.

  • @71 So you probably want Maureen back, to relive past glories. Instead your interim manager leaves. And he's the one with the balls to tell you lot of plastics how it is. And after his rant at you, you all shut up! While your star players never once openly supported him at all. As I said, Benitez, the special one, too good for a club like yours.

  • RB did fantastically well DESPITE the Chelsea "fans". Many didn't give him a chance from day one. Not liking your club's manager because he said something that hurt your feelings is one thing but screaming abuse from the stands is just plain stupid. How is undermining a man who will inevitably manage your team for a matter of months going to help the club you follow? Benitez gets the last laugh.

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