Benitez slams Roman as he confirms departure

Rafa Benitez has confirmed he will not continue as Chelsea manager beyond the end of the current campaign.



The Spaniard, angry at continued criticism of him from the travelling Blues fans as Chelsea beat Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on Wednesday, confirmed in the immediate aftermath of the contest that he would not be continuing at Stamford Bridge beyond the end of his current short-term deal.



Benitez also offered a thinly-veiled criticism of club owner Roman Abramovich, suggesting the Russian made his job almost impossible by only appointing him as 'interim' boss.



"I will leave at the end of the season," Benitez told BBC Radio Five Live. "They don't need to worry about me."



He added: "They [the board and Roman Abramovich] put me in the title of 'interim' manager. That was a massive mistake. Why did they need to do that?"



Benitez's outburst seemed to be sparked by the continued chanting of the away fans at the Riverside Stadium, as a section of supporters called for the Spaniard's head - just as many Blues fans have ever since the former Liverpool boss was appointed in unpopular circumstances, following the exit of Roberto Di Matteo.



Benitez, clearly irate, more than once repeated an assertion that chants against him were only harming the players in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.



"I am a manager, and I will manage the team until the end," Benitez said. "If they [the fans] are going to carry on with an agenda, then they have to take responsibility. Stick together and we can achieve what we need to. But they are not making any favour to the rest of the fans or the players.



"What they have to do is support the team and create a good atmosphere. If we cannot get the title we are after, to qualify for the Champions League, if they continue to sing and talking, talking ... they are not making any favours. They have to support the players and the team."



He added: "I am a professional. I am doing my job. I want to win every single game for Chelsea football. What they need to do is support the team. They have to realise that the rest of the fans want to see the team in the Champions League next year.



"At the end of the season I will leave, they do not need to worry about me."