Villas Boas (EX) Chelsea manager

[Mostar]

Let's not forget just how shabbily "the club" treated Rafa in that final year.

Senior players allegedly going behind his back to speak with the MD.
The MD openly briefing the press against Rafa.
The H&G debacle.
A good proportion of the fan base turning their back on him.
Getting sacked.

It's a measure of the man that Benitez is still so deeply, and clearly, in love with the club and the area.

I'd be gutted if Rafa went to manage Chelsea or any English club to be honest, but he deserves success and I'm sure it is only a matter of time until a big English job is offered to him.

The "club" did similar thing to Shankly but they realized the error and gave him the respect he deserved after his death but I'm not sure that would be the case to this extent if he had taken another club and won championships with them.

Chelsea doesn't deserve Rafa and I hope to god that he says no if he is asked.

I have Rafa in a very high regard but I'm afraid that my perception of him will change somewhat if he takes the job and starts winning trophies with them at our expense.

[peekay]

No doubt about it - if Rafa turned around Chelsea's fortunes he'd be lauded by the ******s in the press.

Let alone turning around the fortunes, he might win the champions league with them

[Darkon]

Who would have thought it, the English press speaking positive about Rafa?

[Lee]

Obviously Rafa going to them could be to the detriment of LFC, but I sort of want him to take the job so he can show these ******s what a great manager he is.

I spoke to an Arsenal fan today at work and he laughed out loud when I told him that AFC or CFC could do worse than hiring Benitez. I told the cunt though.

[Imy]

Can't see Rafa and Pako back together.

[red g]

I cant see him being a success at Chelsea for a variety of reasons

a) there cunt fans and there plastic support
b) the chelsea oldguard,still Mourinho players hanging around.
c) Roman and his wish to play beautiful football
d) Our gutter press

[Phoenix07]

Guillem Balague said on Revista that this isn't happening and that the Chelsea board aren't even considering it.

Also said that some in the Chelsea board hadn't heard of Marcelo Bielsa (Bilbao), so that isn't happening either.

[dom9]

Who to believe. Balague or Bascombe? Hmmm.

[G]

The problem with Chelsea is not the manager its the senior players who hold far too much sway with the owner.

No manager will fare very well unless those players support him or the owner supports the manager in getting rid of them.Rafa will know this and would be mad to walk into that job for 6 months when he can do nothing to change that situation during that period.

He's ideal for them though,Great ability in the European competition their owner most covets and the only man proven to get the best out of Torres.

[RedReet]

I cant see him being a success at Chelsea for a variety of reasons

a) there cunt fans and there plastic support
b) the chelsea oldguard,still Mourinho players hanging around.
c) Roman and his wish to play beautiful football
d) Our gutter press

Why would that be a problem with the right players? Watch 08/09 again and even how Rafa set up early in his last season.

In terms of beauty, watching Alonso in his pomp and Gerrard/Torres in tandem is the most beautiful thing in football I've enjoyed since Johnny Barnes.

[RichC]

Chelsea do not deserve him!

Comment from a Chelsea supporting mate on FB

"hearing Rafa Benitez is being lined up as new Chelsea manager.....feel like ending it all and praying for another fan movement similar to the one when Batesy looked to be installing George Graham. You can stick Rafa Beneathus up your arse."

[Shaggy]

I'd probably unfriend him for that.

[Reece]

We should all post as many of this type of comment as we can find on Rafa's website, just so he is aware of what they think of him. DON'T DO IT RAFA!

[RichC]

I'd probably unfriend him for that.

tempting but I love winding him up at the moment

[The_weatherman]

It will hopefully never happen, Roman is to meddlesome for a relationship with Rafa to work, but if it were to happen, they have the ingredients and the money for Rafa to work his magic. He could get the most out of Torres, I'm certain of that, he could even sort out Luiz and Cahill. But the player power would be an issue as well, can't see Carra and Gerrard giving Rafa a good recommendation. Maybe Torres won't either....