The Championship Playoff final is often billed as the most lucrative game in world football but what about those teams who target slightly higher than the playoffs? What about those sides who are going for automatic promotion to the Premier League? Surely the games that these sort of teams play against each other could have […]
Rafael Benitez
From the Touchline: Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United
In this column, we focus on one manager and his decisions before, during, and sometimes after a match. We (and other writers) analyze the decisions and results as if choice works out as it is supposed to. If a club wins, the manager made the right choices; the converse is also true. Sometimes, though, luck […]
TRANSCRIPT: Benitez’s last interview as Chelsea boss?
BBC Radio 5 live reporter Alastair Yeomans: “What was a difficult first half for you in the end turned out OK?” Rafael Benitez: “Yes, it was difficult, normally in the FA Cup it’s always difficult but I thought our team was doing well, it was a professional performance, a lot of players doing well. I […]
VIDEO: Benitez’s attack on Chelsea fans and board
VIDEO: Benitez’s attack on Chelsea fans and board
Rafa Benitez rants about Chelsea fans following FA Cup win
Following Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup this evening, Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez launched an incredible attack on the fans. Benitez was an unpopular choice at Stamford Bridge largely due to his time as Liverpool boss when he claimed that Chelsea fans lacked passion and was involved in several heated games in […]
VIDEO: Chelsea fans continue anti-Rafa songs at Brentford
VIDEO: Chelsea fans continue anti-Rafa songs at Brentford
PICTURE: Chelsea banner lets Benitez know what fans think of him
As the third goal hit the back of the net, confirming Chelsea’s defeat, travelling fans held up their banner to let the new manager know exactly what they thought of him.
Chelsea fans direct anger at Rafa… but not Abramovich?
Think of Chelsea Football Club, and what appears in your mind? The royal blue shirts of the West London club? A world-beating team that have won twelve trophies in just eight seasons? A Portuguese maverick at the helm of one of the great dynasties of English football? Or a Russian oligarch that has pumped billions […]
Look away now Chelsea/ Liverpool fans! Benitez in Chelsea gear
Rafael Benitez took his first Chelsea training session at Cobham this afternoon after arriving at the training ground at lunchtime to meet with the staff and players. He took control of a high-intensity practice ahead of Sunday’s game against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, where he is expected to be greeted with a chorus of […]
Chelsea fans don’t like Benitez… but what does he think of them?
Rafael Benitez was announced as the interim Chelsea manager this evening after the shock sacking of Roberto Di Matteo. Whilst not necessarily historic rivals, Chelsea and Liverpool have clashed several times over recent years and there is a great amount of hatred between the two clubs. Liverpool fans view themselves as supporters of a club […]