Chelsea fans look back on Rafael Benitez’ time at Stamford Bridge

Rafael Benitez leads his new team back to Stamford Bridge on Saturday. How has the passage of time changed Chelsea fans’ perspective on a man who was so divisive in his short tenure?

Rafael Benitez only had 48 games to make an impression on Chelsea, but few fans had mild thoughts on the Spaniard’s time at the helm. He inherited the Champions League winners after they crashed out of their defence, and then led them to the Europa League title. However, many could not forgive his words and actions before arriving and were happy to see him gone.

With the softening effects of four years, our writers look back on the man who will be in the opposite dugout on Saturday afternoon.

Shivansh Sareen – “Only fond memories” of Rafael Benitez

I’ve actually never hated Rafael Benitez. That’s just because I became a football fan due to Euro 2012. Hence, before I could even understand the hatred for the guy, he had already become Chelsea’s manager! He guided the Blues to third place and the Europa League trophy, so I only have fond memories of him.

Vishnu Raj – “I don’t hate him as much as I did before he came to Chelsea”

Hated him because of his comments about Chelsea and the fans. Plastic flags and all. But he was a good professional when he was the interim. Many had their opinion changed because of the way he conducted himself during that time.

Travis Tyler – “Chelsea were lifting Europa and I was demanding he leave”

I always wanted him gone, and glad he left, but in hindsight I feel really bad for him. I hated him because of his past with Liverpool and the whole plastic thing. And then I hated him because no one made a two-goal lead look more uncomfortable. And he was so arrogant that he was in contention to get the job full-time when we all knew he wouldn’t

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But in hindsight he was a really high level choice for an interim manager. Chelsea finished third, he kept a transitional squad motivated enough to win the Europa League (something English squads struggle to care about), he made Mata-Hazard-Oscar work and he trusted  Victor Moses. Then he went to Napoli and helped pull them up and got the big dream job he wasn’t prepared for in Real Madrid. On paper he really didn’t do all that bad ,but for his dream job to collapse so quickly was kinda sad.

It’s basically like that kid you were mean to when you were young, and in hindsight you realize they weren’t bad at all and you now regret your attitude.

Now he’s at Newcastle where he is loved and, though it’s not the best of teams, he’s showing he’s got something going.

TL;DR I feel bad for him because things were against him but he didn’t let it keep him down long

Barrett Rouen – Hard to stay mad at someone you know is leaving soon

I never hated Rafael Benitez and always felt that his position was a difficult one. He’s a great tactical manager who has perhaps always been overshadowed by the others in his division throughout his career.

He lacks the sort of personality that will quickly endear him to staff and players, and so his situation at Newcastle is perfect for him. Staying with the club through relegation and then an immediate promotion endeared him to their support in a way that will help him wonderfully.

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Benitez did the job properly at Chelsea and should be credited for that. But he was never going to stay so it was hard to be too furious about his signing in the first place.