Rafa Has Little To Lose By Voicing Grievances

After spending nearly two years looking for work before Chelsea came calling in November, Rafa Benitez has little to lose now he's been told his contract won't be extended...

Last Updated: 28/02/13 at 17:10 Post Comment

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Brendan Rodgers had it right when he was linked with the Chelsea vacancy in March last year before Roberto Di Matteo led the Blues to Champions League glory, was appointed on a permanent basis and handed his cards in the space of six short months.

"I am trying to build my career and not destroy it," said Rodgers.

"The next manager who goes in there will have the same problems and issues. It's a big job and demanding job - that's how it is at the big clubs and that's why the salaries are so high.

"It's certainly going to be interesting to see what route they go down now."

While Rafa Benitez may have willingly signed up to his problems in November, the Blues' current interim manager had little choice but to accept the challenge presented to him by Roman Abramovich. Whereas Rodgers was riding the crest of a wave at Swansea as speculation mounted over his future last season, Benitez's reputation was at an all-time low. Chelsea needed him and he needed Chelsea.

Despite being left to peacefully write his blog for nearly two years, it seems Benitez hasn't learned from his sacking at Internazionale in December 2010, which followed a similar outburst to Wednesday's criticism of Chelsea supporters and the person responsible for the 'mistake' of giving him the title 'interim manager'.

"One, 100% support for the coach and buy four or five players - to build a stronger team with competition among the players to be able to carry on winning matches and trophies," demanded Benitez in his final Inter press conference, naively believing he had a position of strength following the team's Club World Cup win.

"Two, carry on like this without a project, without planning and go ahead with one person to blame, for the whole season getting to May this way.

"The third is to speak to my agent, reach an agreement if there is not this support. Simple."

Whether he intended to sound like the irritating meerkats that plague television screens or not, the outcome was inevitable and Massimo Moratti swiftly removed Benitez of his duties.

Perhaps the ignominy of his Inter exit should have taught the Spaniard to keep his cool at Stamford Bridge amid angry objections from supporters. But everyone has a breaking point and, after being informed that his Chelsea contract will not be extended in the summer, Benitez clearly feels he has little to lose by voicing his grievances.

Although the manager's outburst is likely to accelerate his departure, simply accepting the fans' derision could have been interpreted as a sign of weakness by prospective employers in the summer. Reacting to the banners and boos is another indication that Benitez still allows criticism to get under his skin, much to the detriment of his public perception.

Whether he was right to speak out and whether this was another 'rant' or not is all rather irrelevant. Benitez arrived at Stamford Bridge after a long period struggling to find work, and Abramovich will surely see that he soon returns whence he came. For Benitez, very little has been lost and very little has been gained.

Indeed, while poor results have played a significant role in the Spaniard's failure to overcome the protests of Chelsea fans, his mistakes will largely be glossed over by hindsight and the backdrop of fierce opposition to his reign. Benitez's spell at Stamford Bridge was always doomed to fail; whether he has failed is an entirely different and relatively more trivial issue.

So while Benitez will be allowed to escape with his reputation still largely intact - or at least as intact as its already crumbling state following two years of unemployment - the real losers in this scenario are Chelsea and Abramovich. The fans' prolonged protests have reminded the owner that this is not only his club, and the success of his decisions depends on how they are received in the stands.

If Abramovich's next appointment is met with similar disapproval, we could soon learn the tipping point when the owner no longer remains beyond reproach. And then the real fun begins.

Matt Stanger - he's on the Twitter.

Chelsea have spent plenty of money. And I do mean plenty. I'd have a pretty good guess that only City have spent more in the last 4 years or so. A quick check of recent arivals (ie, those in the last 3 years) see's a substatial list of names and fee's. With the managers they have had, I find it hard to believe why they have stuggled for consistency.
- HarryBoulton

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