Soccer
Benitez confirms Chelsea exit
2013-02-28 07:42
London - Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez's patience with the club's fans
finally snapped on Wednesday as he confirmed his intention to leave the
club at the end of the season.
Benitez has been targeted by sections of the club's support ever since
he was appointed as the successor to Roberto Di Matteo last November.
Chelsea beat Middlesbrough 2-0 on Wednesday to reach the FA Cup
quarter-finals and they are also in the last 16 of the Europa League, but
they have slipped to fourth place in the Premier League.
Benitez was only appointed on a temporary basis but he confirmed in an
angry press conference that the abuse he has received from some of
Chelsea's fans had prompted him to abandon his ambition to coach the
team on a permanent basis.
"I'm disappointed with some fans. They have to support the team instead
of wasting time making banners. They have to support the team," he said.
Benitez also appeared to take issue with the Chelsea management for insisting on the temporary nature of his employment.
"They (Chelsea) gave me the title of interim manager, which is a massive
mistake. I am the manager and I will manage this club. The fans are not
helping us," he said.
"I am a professional and I will do my job. At the end of the season I will leave."