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This isn't working out for anyone. Chelsea fans don't want Rafa Benitez, Roman Abramovich only wants him for an interim period and the manager isn't doing himself any favours in his quest to find a permanent position in the summer. After two years out of work it has been a rocky return for Rafa.
It would have been understandable if Benitez had blasted his players after they blew a 2-1 lead against Newcastle to lose 3-2 on Saturday. But the main problem for the manager is that they aren't really his players and it's almost impossible to hold the team to account when they know the Spaniard will soon follow Roberto Di Matteo out the exit door.
After a season-defining January in which the Blues failed to reach the League Cup final and Benitez conceded defeat in the title race, the manager's contract will probably be torn up long before its expiry date in the summer. Chelsea have won only three of their last eight matches in all competitions and usually when that happens someone is made to pay.
But the culture of short-termism which landed Benitez the job has also made his position hugely unenviable. Not only is the manager expected to win as many trophies as possible in his short reign, but he is also charged with overseeing a long-term transition as part of his absurd job description.
It seems Abramovich wants to have his cake and eat it by instructing that Chelsea switch to a more open, flowing style of football but also continue to challenge for top honours while this significant change occurs. The owner's demands are clearly excessive and as the bookies stop taking bets on Benitez's dismissal, it's laughable to consider that Abramovich ever thought he could convince Pep Guardiola to join the club.
Benitez has predictably been blamed by fans for Saturday's disappointing defeat, but perhaps it's time to consider that this ragtag team of skillful diminutive playmakers, members of the old guard and a misfiring £50million striker is no better than the battle for third or fourth in which it is now embroiled.
The defeat to Newcastle proved once and for all that Chelsea can no longer bully opponents, and the fear factor the Blues previously possessed has been whittled away by Abramovich's intention to build a team in a new image similar to the Barcelona side vanquished in last season's Champions League semi-final.
This may be a commendable aim - and Chelsea have shown flashes of encouragement so far this season - but the owner's failure to find a manager he is willing to trust has instead seen the team imitate the stark lack of direction at the club as the hunting pack close in the race for the Champions League places.
It won't be entirely Benitez's fault if Chelsea finish sixth again this season and while last May's Champions League victory distorted the evidence, there is a rot setting in at Stamford Bridge owing to Abramovich's desperate pursuit of quick-fix solutions. It will take time and patience for this Chelsea team to fulfil its potential - a privilege Benitez will almost certainly be denied.
Matt Stanger - he's on the Twitter.
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