The Benitez Thread

[Rubber bullets 1,183]

Finally, someone compares the obvious.

Bitter much?

[Laylabelle 9,351]

^ the Di Matteo chant will continue in the 16th minute. Even re-hiring Mourinho wouldn't properly right the wrong that was sacking him, it was a slight against the supporters who backed an idol of theirs', and a legend of the club, in the first place. His treatment was disgusting, and the chants serve as a - a "thank you" to Robbie, and b - a "fuck you" to Buck, Gourlay et al.

Didnt realise it was still going on lol

Rafa...been nice in the end!Kinda stressful at times espically with subs!!!!Least we have champions league next season in theory...if not we got good in Europa lol...

[edetarod 2,155]

thanks for the EL

thanks for top 4

thanks for the victories over man utd

he deserves a good send off, i hope the fans on Sunday can give him that

[Fulham Broadway 16,831]

Yeah, well done Rafa. You have proven that you can win the Europa League with the reigning champions of Europe. You did something that should happen. And now you want credit for it like a 15-year-old looking to be commended for not wetting the bed during sleep time.

When you rubbed a magic lamp and asked the genie to turn you from a blog person back into a manager last November, Chelsea were four points out of first place and had four trophies to compete for. Then you showed up with your 1998 goatee and everything got worse.

You lost in the League Cup, the FA Cup and even the Club World Cup, and in the Premier League, you struggle to finish third, 16 points behind Manchester United. That is four times more than four.

You were supposed to fix Fernando Torres. He had six goals in the Eurjoke-a League, yes. But in the Premier League, he has not scored since December. He has seven goals. One more than last season. If anything, you have him fixed like a neutered labradoodle. Speaking of the Europa League, you beat four clubs that couldn't buy lunch at Chelsea's training ground and then one that has lost seven European finals in a row. This is how you finally won a trophy, Rafa. And you did this with a team that has regularly reached the final rounds of the Champions League in recent years, regardless of whether the manager can button his pants or not.

If a chef gets a bad review and then heats up a frozen pizza without burning it, is it vindication? You have done the bare minimum with the talented team at your disposal and so you get the bare minimum credit. You didn't burn the pizza. Congratulations. Now Fuck off.

[robdog 2,084]

When you rubbed a magic lamp and asked the genie to turn you from a blog person back into a manager last November, Chelsea were four points out of first place and had four trophies to compete for. Then you showed up with your 1998 goatee and everything got worse.

You lost in the League Cup, the FA Cup and even the Club World Cup, and in the Premier League, you struggle to finish third, 16 points behind Manchester United. That is four times more than four.

***I just wanted to reinforce your argument mate. I got this from The Shed End Forum...Cheers & Keep it Real Keep it Blue & Keep it Chels!!!!

[AndersonBLUE 819]

I still think he's a bit of a bellend,from his past encounters with us etc and is right to go, but i don't think I hate him as much as I did. What about you? You happy with what he has done here at Chelsea?

All the talk of Jose now but I just kinda wanted to say cheers rafa for doing a good job under great pressure. He came through in the end, even though subs were baffling at times. Just wanted to make a slightly different thread to the 'Rafa Out!' one, for those who are content with his work here.

[Special Juan 27,422]

There is a Rafa thread, surely this can be discussed in there.

[Spike 12,049]

Winning a trophy under this twat doesn't take away his insults towards all Chelsea supporters.

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

From 100% Hate -->>> To 65%.

[bushman 2,043]

There is no hate anymore, I believe.

More like a deep love towards him, lately.

[Stingray 9,441]

Not really. Whats the use of living in the past when its the now that counts and the future that will anyways.

[mediator 2,026]

I don't hate him, i just don't love him

[Leif 6,006]

If Mourinho joined Barcelona and won them the Europa League and secured CL football for next season where they should be anyway I'm sure he'd get boo'd out the building, especially if he crashed out the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey to some team like Granada; our equivalent (of sorts) of crashing out of the League Cup this season, too.

Now I'm not saying my opinion on him is formed due to that strong possibility; it's just an example, but yes. Still hate him.

[Strike 7,217]

Hated him. Hate him. Will Hate him. Forever

[coolhead23 1,146]

Yes ... still hate him .... maybe it has come down a little and he gets the due credit he deserves for the Europa and the top 4 finish but thats doesnt bring down the hate for him ...

[yuvala 2,167]

Dont really hate him but he is not a good manager whatsoever.

[The Rising Sun 709]

Never hated him, never had a liking towards him. Was irritating during his liverpool days, but did well there.

He has come here, and conducted himself well, with a certain amount of calmness and grace, with chaos all around him.

He seems to have got all the players on-side with his methods, rotation etc etc.

No fallouts, good discipline among the squad.

He is a good manager IMO.

Obviously we could have done with a few more points here and there, but overall well done.

So this farewell is not so much of hate, but thanks and do well wherever you go.

Bottomline is that he came here, did relatively well, undid some of his wrongs.

He used us, we used him. Win WIN.

[The only place to be 11,313]

Never really hated him. There are people I hate in football, some for personal reasons, but it's something I try to avoid because life's too short. The comments he made were when he was in charge of another club and they have a fanbase that needs constant reassuring because they're fragile souls.

As a manager, I've come to realise he's somewhat limited in his tactical approach to games. His unwillingness to tinker with his setup is something I've criticised a fair bit, but he has also had moments where he has got it spot on.

The team that Robbie put together this season was always going to struggle in my opinion. It relied too much on individual brilliance and lacked cohesion. Rafa didn't improve upon that much but there were games where we looked like a proper team (Fulham, Swansea, United and a few others). I'm just relieved that we're reaching the end of this sorry little chapter in our history in relatively good health. There are players who have grown in stature under his tenure and whilst that may not be down to him, the next manager will certainly benefit from their improvement.