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There has been a lot of booing and disrespect from Chelsea fans, after they found out that Rafael Benitez has been appointed as the new Chelsea boss. I was dumbfounded too, in disbelief as to how could someone who has given the club their first ever Champions League title, be sacked. Here’s five reasons which could change your attitude towards Rafa.
Since Torres signed for Chelsea, he has been nothing short of a disgrace to the form he was in at Liverpool. Signed by Chelsea on transfer deadline day for a record 50 million pounds, 19 goals in 86 appearances is all Torres has managed, making him one of Chelsea’s worst strikers ever. His poor form was one of the main reasons Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich called in Benitez from Abu Dhabi. Torres’ poor form has not only cost Chelsea vital league points this season, but also the sacking of three managers, RDM being the latest. Benitez, who was also Torres’ boss at Liverpool, could know the answer to Torres’ poor form. While at Liverpool, Torres scored 81 goals in 142 appearances for the Reds.
2. PREMIER LEAGUE
An impressive Premier League record was another reason which convinced Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich to hire Benitez. In the 228 games he managed Liverpool in the Premier League, he managed to win 126 of them, giving him a 55% win record and making him the 6th most successful manager in the Premier League. During this period, Rafa also drew 55 and lost 47 of those 228 matches.
3. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Another good reason for appointing Benitez was his amazing record in the Champions League. Of the 95 games he has been involved in, in the Champions League, Rafa has managed to win 53 of them, making it an approximate win percentage of 56. During this period, he drew and lost 22 games each.
4. EXPERIENCE
Having started his managerial career in 1995, Benitez has a good 15 years of managerial experience. So far in his career, Rafa has managed Valladolid, Osasuna, Extremadua, Tenerife, Valencia, Liverpool and Inter Milan. Having already managed Liverpool for six seasons, Rafa already knows the old dogs of the Premier League, namely Moyes, Ferguson and Wenger.
5. PAST RECORDS
Another one of the main reasons of Benitez being appointed is his ability to succeed at nearly every club he goes. Here are his achievements at each club he has managed.
Valladolid – sacked with Valladolid at the bottom of the league.
Osasuna – sacked after nine league games.
Extremadua – finished 2nd in the league. Finished 17th the following season was sacked.
Tenirefe – finished 3rd in the league. Benitez leaves at the end of the season.
Valencia – managed them for three seasons where he ended up at 1st, 5th and 1st respectively. During his last season, he lead them to the UEFA Cup.
Liverpool – Won the Champions League in his debut season. Won the FA Cup the next season, finished 3rd, 4th and 2nd the following three seasons. Sacked mid season after a poor display.
Inter Milan – sacked within six months, but won Inter the Club World Cup and the Super Coppa.
