Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez given new hope

By MARK BRYANS
Published on 18/01/2013 01:25

FORMER Chelsea assistant coach Ray Wilkins believes that Pep Guardiola’s decision to take charge of Bayern Munich will give Blues interim manager Rafael Benitez belief he can secure the job on a long-term basis.

Benitez has been unable to win over a large majority of Chelsea supporters after he was appointed on a deal until the end of the current season following the sacking of the popular Roberto Di Matteo.

Results have been mixed since the ex-Liverpool boss took charge at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea now 13 points behind current Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United and facing a 2-0 deficit ahead of the second leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final with Swansea. But, with Guardiola opting to move to German giants Bayern, Wilkins reckons Benitez could fancy himself to take the reins at Chelsea on a permanent basis.

The former England midfielder also defended Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich for the managerial turnover at Stamford Bridge since the Russian arrived in 2003.

“I think Pep going to Munich gives Rafa a chance, he will be thinking it [a permanent deal] is a possibility but it remains to be seen,” Wilkins said.

“Mr Abramovich has spent a lot of money and can do with the club what he wishes. Trophies have continued to roll in and they have been for the last ten years so who is to say he is in the wrong with the way he does things?”