RAFA BENITEZ has issued a defiant challenge to Chelsea fans to put aside their antipathy towards him and get behind the players in tomorrow's game against West Brom at Stamford Bridge.
A potentially poisonous atmosphere awaits the Spaniard after his comments following the midweek FA Cup win at Middlesbrough, when he blasted a section of fans for 'having an agenda' against him.
I his three months as interim manager, the ex-Liverpool boss had managed to straight bat questions about the hostile reception he receives.
But that all changed this week and Benitez compounded the likely fallout by saying it was a 'massive mistake' for the Chelsea board to give the tag of 'interim manager' when he was appointed.
His comments, following reports of frank training ground exchanges with players following last Sunday's defeat at Man City, makes it touch and go that he will even see out the remaining three months of his short-term contract.
“If you analyse carefully what I said, I was trying to explain was that we have 11 games to play – that means 33 points – and if we stick together behind the team, it will be easier for us to get points,” Benitez said.
“I would like to see a fantastic atmosphere, supporting the team and I will be really pleased with that.
“If we stay behind the team all together, the atmosphere will be much better, the players will perform much better and we can win more points, and everybody will be happier at the end of the season.
“The fans, they can express their feelings. I don't have any problem with that, but if we stick together we can have the same atmosphere that we had against Arsenal. It will be fantastic for everyone.”
Benitez added: “The message is clear. I didn't have any problem with the board. I didn't have any problem with [technical director] Michael Emenalo. I didn't have any problem with Roman Abramovich. I don't have any problem with players.
Benitez added he has had no reaction from the board to his 'interim' remark and says any conversation with Roman Abramovich since Wednesday is 'his business.'
“Yesterday I was talking with Ron [Gourlay, the chief executive] and it was a normal conversation about football,” he said, insisting that the 'interim' tag was 'not an issue now.'
Benitez was also at pains to stress he has no regrets about taking on what has appeared an impossible job for him, given the historic ill-feeling towards him from some fans when he was a rival boss on Merseyside.
“If I came to this club, it's because it's a top side and we can win trophies – and still we can win two trophies, and I'm really pleased,” he said.
“I came here because I have ambition and passion for the game. It's a great experience to have the opportunity to win four, five or six trophies.”
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest Chelsea news.
