Also, I think people will find that Alonso wanted to leave and Barry was seen as the replacement, we then luckily got one more season out of Alonso when it looked like he would leave before. Glad we did since his value effectively doubled after the excellent last season he had for us.

Those criticising Benitez are clearly clueless, the guy is a genius.

Those criticising Benitez are clearly clueless, the guy is a genius. -

Geniuses don't get no job offers for two years. Sampdoria rejected him

Benitez will do very well with that squad. He'll probably do "a Di Matteo".

Paisley, I really can't begrudge you having a laugh at our expense at this. After slapping myself a couple of times and realising that I'm not just having a nightmare, I might even try laughter myself.

But if Benitez really is some kind of tactical genius, how come no clubs seemed to have bothered giving a second glance for the last two years?

comment by The Blue Kenyan (U1641)
posted 43 seconds ago
Geniuses don't get no job offers for two years. Sampdoria rejected him
-----------------------------

You're laughing at your own manager? Did you right of Di Matteo for only managing WBA and getting sacked?

Weird.

And you're defending Chelsea's manager

It's been a weird day all round..

chelseanuts (U11808)
posted 37 seconds ago
Paisley, I really can't begrudge you having a laugh at our expense at this. After slapping myself a couple of times and realising that I'm not just having a nightmare, I might even try laughter myself.

But if Benitez really is some kind of tactical genius, how come no clubs seemed to have bothered giving a second glance for the last two years?

--

I think he is also a very strong character and won't fit into every club. He was at great odds with the yanks and that was ultimately his downfall. He likes things done in a very specific way, which I think is a manager's prerogative anyway.

Have bagged yourselves a world class manager. I actually now have you lot as one of the favourites for the premier league title
-----

they haven't.....

joely_the_goaly. (U15498)

All those trophies and awards fluke are they?

he was only considering offers for permanent offers from clubs with a chance at trophies

the only vacancy for that job was Liverpool and he wasn't approached for that

Supposedly he was approached when RDM got the job but declined as it was interim

now he's not so fussy regarding the interim thing

All those trophies and awards fluke are they?
====

2 penalty shoot out wins. might as well toss a coin. he will be a disaster for chelsea. falls out with every chairman he has been with. spends so much money. demands more and when he is told to work with what he has spent he uses the media..ie valencia, liverpool, moratti at inter...the guy is a clown

A clown who has won La Liga (twice), The CL and the UEFA Cup.

But sure, you clearly know your stuff.

have to say i'm torn on Rafa-tactically i rate him but his man management has alot to be desired. he's going to have a shcok, the Chelsea dressing room will ten times more powerful than anything he's had to deal with before

i think this appointment has been made to get Torres firing more than anything-Roman has clearly staked everything on this purchase and can't accept he's a total failure

There is a reason he has been out of work so long....he for addicted to Jeremy Kyle

A stubborn manager that falls out with chairmen, and a chairman who likes his managers to be yes-men. I really can't see how there will be a problem!

My Chelsea pals are furious, and rightly so. Possibly the strangest appointment I have ever seen. But then again Pardew was an odd one too and thats worked out pretty well

Why do people talk about things they know nothing about. They peddle bandwagon lines like lost sheep. Benitez failed at Inter blah blah.

Wanna hear the truth?

Benitez won two trophies at Inter, was in all competitions and some points behind first but due to the Club World Cup they had Gea in hand which meant they were mid-table. The owners didn't agree with him that to challenge they needed to buy players and they sacked him, since then he was proves right as they have done nothing.

With Rafa as manager you'll soon stop listening to crap and use facts.

All was going swimmingly at Inter until they got their botties handed to them by Bale at White Hart Lane.....faaaaacht

Pre-WHL: P9 W5 D3 L1

Post WHL: P6 W1 D2 L3

By the time he left they had two games in hand but were a whopping 13pts off the top.

http://www.statto.com/football/stats/italy/serie-a/2010-2011/table/2010-12-19

So potentially a whopping 7 points off with half the season to go and already two trophies I'm the bag. You must like this sacking of managers.

Rafa was named UEFA coach of the year twice, his CV has trophies right the way through and is a far better football manager than AVB, RDM, Grant and Scolari.

Dunno why Chelsea fans are so fussed, unless it is over some kidology Rafa employed in matches v Chelsea.

As long as he doesn't come trying to sign Agger, Lucas, or any of our youth team coaches I wish him all the best at Chelsea.

Rafa v David Luiz in a tactical awareness training session will be comedy gold!

I think he could come knocking for key Liverpool players IF given the job full time.

Would they follow the boss who made them?

comment by There'sOnlyOneReds (U1721) posted 1 hour, 3 minutes ago

So potentially a whopping 7 points off with half the season to go and already two trophies I'm the bag. You must like this sacking of managers.

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7pts is a decent gap, and that's assuming he'd win both games....1 win in the previous 6 would suggest otherwise.

Not advocating his sacking, just putting right the poster before me