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Benitez aims to build bridges at Chelsea

1,168 views · Published 26 November 2012 · 2:05 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: GOAL · 2012 · Sports

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Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was booed when introduced to the Chelsea faithful ahead of Sunday's stalemate with Manchester City. And he had to put up with chants in support of departed favourite Roberto Di Matteo, who was sacked by owner Roman Abramovich last week 

SOUNDBITE (English)
RAFA BENITEZ
Interim manager, Chelsea
"My experience in England is that when the fans are singing in the stands, I don't understand what they say. Normally I'm just concentrating. With the boos, no. But again I was just concentrating. I can understand because of the rivalry in the past but I'm sure that the majority of the fans will understand that I am a professional, I want to do my job, to win for the club and I want to win with them. I will do it - this was the beginning against a tough team, it wasn't easy. Hopefully the next one will be easier.

"How many people do you need to write a banner? Just one and maybe two holding the banner. So it could be 20, 25, I don't know. The main thing is that if we start performing. If we start winning games they will come on board and they will see that I try to do my best. The manager wants to win every game and the fans the same. So we will win together."

Benitez has shared a strained relationship with Blues fans after making disparaging remarks about their loyalty when in charge of Liverpool. Winning over the doubters may prove difficult, but the 52-year-old is confident of doing so.

SOUNDBITE (English)
RAFA BENITEZ
Interim manager, Chelsea
"And because I have confidence that we will do well and will win games, I think some of the fans, they will think that's not the way to support your team. They will see, listen, we have a professional, as our manager now. They can be happy or not. But if I keep working hard, doing my job properly and winning, I'm sure they will be there."

So Benitez has endured a difficult start to life back in the Premier League. And matters won't get any easier, with speculation that he's keeping the seat warm for Pep Guardiola likely to persist. But as the last nine years have shown under Abramovich, there's no telling what can happen.

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