26th November, 2012
Rafa Benitez vowed to win over the Chelsea hate mob after a vicious welcome to Stamford Bridge.
Fans booed as their interim boss was introduced before the 0-0 draw with Manchester City. But Benitez said: “If we start winning games they will come on board.”
Blues supporters held up banners reading ‘Rafa Out Fact’ in reference to his infamous ‘fact’ rant when he was boss of Liverpool.
When City fans taunted Benitez with chants of ‘You’re just a fat Spanish waiter’, some home supporters joined in.
And the Stamford Bridge faithful loudly sang the name of Roberto Di Matteo — brutally axed as manager on Wednesday despite leading Chelsea to Champions League glory in May.
Benitez, boss until the end of the season, said: “How many people does it take to write a banner? One. And maybe two to hold it.
“I have confidence that we will do well and win games. Then some of the fans will realise it’s not the way to support the team and realise, ‘We have a professional, he’s our new manager, we can be happy or not’.”
Blues keeper Petr Cech said: “Mr. Benitez was the Liverpool coach and we had a lot of rivalry with Liverpool, so it comes from there.
“He is here to try to change things and try to put us in the winning mode so he needs to get the chance.”