Liverpool FC Forum

[Kenny Kan]

Rafa Benitez has confirmed his interest in the Chelsea job after he emerged as the favourite to succeed Roberto Di Matteo.

Di Matteo was relieved of his duties on Wednesday morning and Sky Sports understands Benitez is the man being targeted.

Benitez spoke from Abu Dhabi, where he was attending a coaching seminar, before flying to London and admitted he was waiting for a club who can win trophies.

"I have just found out [about Di Matteo]. Obviously Chelsea is a top side and they can compete for trophies so it goes in this category," he told Sport360.

"In football a lot of people are talking so we will see what happens in the next few days. I am looking for a club that can challenge for trophies and Chelsea is one of these clubs."
Rafa Benitez
Quotes of the week
Asked if he had already spoken to Chelsea, he added: "You ask directly, I cannot answer directly.

"In football a lot of people are talking so we will see what happens in the next few days. I am looking for a club that can challenge for trophies and Chelsea is one of these clubs."

Benitez is known to have spoken to Chelsea in the summer but backed away as they were only willing to offer a one-year term, with Pep Guardiola - currently on a sabbatical - tipped to take charge.

But the former Liverpool boss seems more open to the prospect, saying: "I have to talk with my agent and see what he has been doing the last couple of days.

"But I am just trying to go to a team that can win. So we will find ways to have a challenge like this."

[redno7]

good luck to him, he'll need it.

we move on...

[Octsky]

i know RDM wont last in chekshit job. the manner in which they won the champs league last season was beyond lucky.
bayen had 44 total attempts at goal, n robben missed an injury time penalty. in the FA cup who knows what will happen if
carroll's ghost goal went in. the signs are there, if you won the holy grail for your owner and still only get a 2 yrs contract then you
should be very worried.
i hope rafa get the job, he is an okay guy and been out of job for too long. plus i dont like cheklskit.
on a more serious note, rafa may may just reignite torres.

[Homebooby]

Rafa next manager?

He'd have to be an idiot to take that job. Di Matteo wins the Champions League with Chelsea and then several months later he's sacked. It's absolutely crazy, people like Roman Abramovich are destroying football.

Agree with the destroying football statement. I wonder how many more top managers there are willing to prostitute themselves for this club. Unfortunately it looks like there'll always be someone. I hope they continue to come croppers, although I wish Rafa no ill will at all. I think he is too nice a guy for that club, but he may well surprise us all.

[Homebooby]

brilliant tactical change again today to bring henderson on for suso.

henderson has to retain his place for swansea after that imo.

I've seen a few mentions of the impact that Henderson made on the game, but only caught the MOTD highlights and it wasn't really obvious what happened there. What's the difference between Hendo y'day and the previous games. Just a confidence thing, or did he have more time due to a 'lesser quality' side?

His work ethic was just incredible.

There was a point in the game where literally the whole stadium stood and applauded where he chased the ball for about 2-3 minutes as Wigan attempted to pass it around it ended up in a bad pass by one of the Wigan players and fell to one of our players he gave them no time on the ball.

I think he realised he had a chance as he got majority of the game on saturday. He wanted to show what he could do. He also had a chance to get himself a goal but hit it over. But the lad done very well.

If he doesnt play vs Young boys he probably will get a start Sunday. However with Lucas close to returning im not sure how long it will last anyway.

Thanks a lot for the feedback, I do appreciate it. I am happy for him and the club if he can pull it together. Seems like he was on a hiding to nothing before he even got started. Was the effort productive as well, or was his main task just chasing and being a general annoyance?

[parchpea]

Rafa next manager?

He'd have to be an idiot to take that job. Di Matteo wins the Champions League with Chelsea and then several months later he's sacked. It's absolutely crazy, people like Roman Abramovich are destroying football.

Aside from the weekly wage the most attractive thing about the Chelsea job is the redundancy package and
at this point I think thats why these guys are happy to take it on.

Rafa will be no different if offered the position, ride it out and cash in if it goes tits, win win.

[redalltheway36]

the only reason he want rafa. Is one last chance to get best out of torres so he doesnt look a full for paying 50 million for a flop. Roman acts like a spoilt kid. PLus i think Rafa would of already been sounded out. So dont be surprised if he takes it.

[Homebooby]

I think that Rafa runs the risk of being the 'also ran' too if he doesn't get this one. He's always there or thereabouts, but rarely seems to be anyones first choice. same case here, Rafa is the backup if Pep won't come out of his sabbatical.

[heimdall]

Rafa next manager?

He'd have to be an idiot to take that job. Di Matteo wins the Champions League with Chelsea and then several months later he's sacked. It's absolutely crazy, people like Roman Abramovich are destroying football.

Why would he be an idiot, he'd only have to work for a few months then get another huge payoff, he's getting good at that. 

In all seriosuness I can't imagine him getting on with Roman, but its a joke that they got rid of DiMatteo so quick.

[Boxscarf]

Benitez is a great manager and if he is given time and money he will bring success, he's proven that at both Valencia and with us at Liverpool. However with Chelsea he's not going to be a manager, he's going to be a coach, someone who trains the players and picks the team for matches. I doubt he'll have much of a say as to who Chelsea sign or sell! He won't have any support from the supporters who have flooded their messageboards in their droves to spit flames about Benitez and his managerial record. It's mission impossible for him and if he fails in this job, then he will virtually make himself unemployable as a manager.

[parchpea]

Chelsea are shooting fish in a barrell until Guardiola comes back to work and they
have another crack at getting him in.

Abramovich will give almost anyone the job on a whim until he wakes up the wrong side
and decides hes tired of that one and goes after another, and so it will go on.

Personally I think its a terrific job because you will never have to quit and will certainly
be fired, guaranteed big payoff, and its hardly bad on the CV because Abramovich has
sacked EVERYONE, so who cares anyway.

[LFC1990]

Im sure this once was t he Brendan Rodgers thread.

[RedRory]

:-D

[7_Kewell]

Rafa will get two seasons






























Winter and spring 

[Boxscarf]

Im sure this once was t he Brendan Rodgers thread.

Mr Rodgers has been brown nosing our American owners today, thanking them for giving him more than five months and a chance to turn things around. The fella and the Owners need to realise that Rome wasn't built in a day and that we are getting better under Rodgers, this season so far has been very encouraging. We're playing good football and we're currently on a good unbeaten run in the league and the future looks bright, I just wish Brendan would shut his cake hole for more than five minutes.