Sport

Benitez keeping an eye on possible Chelsea vacancy

SOCCER: RAFAEL BENITEZ will express an interest in managing Chelsea if Roman Abramovich, as anticipated, opts to part company…

DOMINIC FIFIELD
Sat Apr 23 2011 - 01:00

SOCCER:RAFAEL BENITEZ will express an interest in managing Chelsea if Roman Abramovich, as anticipated, opts to part company with Carlo Ancelotti this summer.

The Spaniard, who spent six years at Liverpool and claimed the 2005 European Cup, has been out of work since being sacked by Internazionale in December after a disappointing six-month spell at San Siro. He has since returned to live on Merseyside and last week publicly expressed an interest in returning to management in the Premier League.

Chelsea would offer him an attractive opportunity at a club competing in the Champions League and the 51-year-old is understood to be keen to be considered should Ancelotti’s two-year period in charge end next month. Abramovich and the club’s chief executive, Ron Gourlay, will be aware of his interest but will not make a decision on the Italian’s future before the end of the current campaign.

Benitez would represent a high-calibre candidate for the position given his availability and desire to work in England. “If I have good offers from abroad it will be okay, but my priority is to return to the Premier league,” he said earlier this month. His good working relationship with Fernando Torres, whom he originally signed for Liverpool from Atletico Madrid, would be a further attraction.

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Whether the Londoners’ supporters would take as keenly to Benitez’s potential candidature is more open to question given the fractious nature of games between Chelsea, particularly under Jose Mourinho, and Liverpool during his time on Merseyside.

Yet Abramovich may consider Benitez’ record in Europe – he also won a Uefa Cup with Valencia and lost to Ancelotti’s Milan in the final of the 2007 Champions League – as compelling.

The lack of credible candidates to replace Ancelotti could yet lead to the Italian seeing out the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge. The incumbent would like to remain at the club and his prospects would be enhanced should Chelsea extend their recent form, beginning with the home game against West Ham this evening.

“I would like to be in United’s position but we also have to believe that we can win every game left, including at Old Trafford like we did last year.”