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Chelsea: Rafael Benitez unfazed by Pep Guardiola talk

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments340

Benitez on Guardiola and Lampard

Rafael Benitez says he would happily hand over the job of managing Chelsea to Pep Guardiola at the end of the season - as long as he has helped the club win trophies before then.

The ex-Liverpool boss wants the post long-term, but the Blues are known to admire former Barcelona boss Guardiola.

"If he comes and we've won a lot of trophies, I'll be very pleased," Benitez told the BBC's Richard Conway.

"Guardiola has a fantastic record."

After deciding to take some time out after winning his 14th trophy in four years as Barcelona coach in May, Guardiola has been linked with a number of clubs, among them Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Bayern Munich.

"Everybody is talking about Guardiola - Guardiola this, Guardiola that - but Guardiola is just one man, he can go to just one club," said Benitez, who was speaking in Japan ahead of Sunday's Club World Cup final against Brazilian side Corinthians.

When asked how he would feel if Blues owner Roman Abramovich asked him to leave at the end of the season, the Spaniard said: "When I decided to come, I knew I was signing a contract for six or seven months, so I was not thinking about more after these seven months."

Benitez has had a hostile reception since taking over at Stamford Bridge, but the 52-year-old believes he can win over fans.

"After the improvement of the team, the way I will play [and] the style I will have, I think a lot of fans will say: 'Maybe we were too hard and we have to give him the chance to bring the confidence back to the team and the fans'," he said.

Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard says he feels he has "two or three years at least" left as a top-level footballer.

The England international, 34, has had an injury-hit season and made only his second appearance since recovering from a calf problem when he came off the bench against Monterrey on Thursday.

Lampard, who spent 11 seasons at Stamford Bridge, is out of contract at the end of the season and has failed to agree an extension.

"I feel like I have two or three years at least in me at the top level," he said. "It is not for me to decide on this one. It's up to the club.

"Whatever happens, I have had a great time at Chelsea. I am determined to play a few more years and see what pans out in the near future.

"Maybe things don't last forever. Although I want it to last forever, you have to be big enough to know what it is."

When asked about Lampard's future at the club, Benitez said: "It is a question for the next manager. For sure, he's a fantastic player, a great professional, there's no doubt about this.

"When I talk to the people in charge, they are telling me the same, so nobody has any doubt about his condition, his levels, his quality."

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340 comments

  • Comment posted by User0107150635, at 10:01 14 Dec 2012

    Seriously what's going on with the BBC Sport site?

    It seems we have so many articles recently taking quotes out of context to create sensationalist headlines, which is the main reason I don't use other sites, the BBC should report the facts without spin.

    Benitez is not saying he would be pleased if Guardiola took over, he's saying he would be happy if he came and won trophies. Big difference.

  • Comment posted by User0090213502, at 10:19 14 Dec 2012

    dunno why chelsea fans are tough on RB, its Roman that does the hiring and firing and would you say no to a multimillion pound short term contract if you've been out of work for a while?

    Chelsea fans don't have the balls to moan openly at Roman as he's bought you off!

  • Comment posted by myscarface, at 10:20 14 Dec 2012

    I admire the cool way Benitez has ignored all the press initiated rubbish about his appointment and just got on with his work. He's starting to do a good job and believe me if Chelsea get the results and start catching the Manc's, fans will not be bothered with this nonsense. Also what about if they become world champs? Abramovitch will have to sack him for that!

  • Comment posted by User0866722427, at 10:10 14 Dec 2012

    A large section of Chelsea fans would still want RB out even if they won every remaining match this season 5-0, I personally would like to see him win trophies and then stick 2 fingers up and walk away to a club that deserves him

  • Comment posted by Redish_Mike, at 10:04 14 Dec 2012

    the standard of sports journalism on these BBC sports pages is pretty poor.

  • Comment posted by glenn-quagmire, at 10:45 14 Dec 2012

    This whole topic needs dropping now. Leave Benitez and even RA alone for a while. There's football to be played and another controversy round the corner (inevitably)

  • Comment posted by Auden Grey, at 10:59 14 Dec 2012

    If Radamel Falcao comes to Chelsea Ken Dodd could manage them, I am though, warming to Rafa's dignity.

  • Comment posted by User0720420580, at 10:41 14 Dec 2012

    Its all hearsay, wait until the end of the season to find out and stop this second guessing BBC.

  • Comment posted by User0950832980, at 10:42 14 Dec 2012

    Who writes this stuff?

  • Comment posted by Drasticus Maximus, at 12:28 14 Dec 2012

    Breaking news

    1) The first poster on BBC's 1000th pointless news blog will win prize.

    2) BBC concerned that quoting comments out of context and writing articles based on them not classed as news.

    3) BBC realise they have already past 1000 pointless blogs.

    4) Dancing chimp found running football news items on BBC website

  • Comment posted by mt, at 10:08 14 Dec 2012

    He won't join Chelsea, as he has previously stated. He turned down two if not three massive offers, which would have made him the highest paid manager in the world, easily. Also the hype surrounding this story is bizare - he isn't even an established manager, he has only been at one club, a club that is a massive exception. A club with about 8-12 EURO & World Cup winning players, along with Messi.

  • Comment posted by Larry, at 10:39 14 Dec 2012

    As much as I admire Pep (seems to be one of the few gentlmen left in football, 'cause I tell you there aint many) I agree with "pafc" - anyone and literrallyanyone could (and still can) "manage" barca and they would still win. Pep, has had a "Golden Generation" (who have delivered) land at his door. This barca side (in all positions) has fantastic players, once in a lifetime stuff.

  • Comment posted by User0766887094, at 10:22 14 Dec 2012

    @16 am i the only person who think Chelsea should have kept AVB?

    'Winning' the Champions League had nothing to do with Robbie, it was outrageous luck that got them the trophy, so there's no reason why the same wouldn't have happened with AVB.

    Then AVB could have overhauled the squad in the summer to put his mark on it. Long-term it would have been better.

  • Comment posted by ynwa_viking, at 10:09 15 Dec 2012

    The difference between Liverpool and Chelsea fans:Liverpool fans actually really liked Mourinho when he made comments or gestures to wind us up.In fact LFC fans liked the idea of him becoming the manager.Chelsea fans are like teenagers holding a grudge just because Rafa had a bit of a go at you before a Champs league semi final.Rafa and the special one were both at it.Grow up and support the man.

  • Comment posted by Jonas Blaine, at 09:59 14 Dec 2012

    Why don't people see that Guardiola is an unproven manager?. I mean any trained coach could get the Barca team to win everything with the players they have. Is Tito Vilanuova a good manager? Who knows, until they manage a team without Messi, Xavi and Iniesta. It would be a big risk to install a manager that has only managed 1 club.

  • Comment posted by Eddies Gonna Get Ya, at 16:03 14 Dec 2012

    @214 neither Pep nor Rafa said they were going to cut their eyes out with a rusty Spam can.
    It was Joey Barton.
    He tweeted it.
    And THAT'S the real reason he want to leave Marseille

  • Comment posted by Mark_Kernow, at 00:33 15 Dec 2012

    RB is the 'Interim' coach, what happens after May has nothing to do with him, he will be gone. RA will have to appease the fans and get PG or Jose into the hot seat, anything less and it will be the start of the end for RA.

    Blues fans, especially those who were around before RA, wouldn't mind too much, we have had a good run but if we are honest, it was more fun at Shrewsbury and Grimsby away.

  • Comment posted by BlueIsTheColour, at 22:09 14 Dec 2012

    I must be drunk....I have just read that Brendan Rodgers is targeting a top two finish! Suppose he thinks the 9 teams above will all fall away leaving Liverpool as PL champions....there is optimism but he must be mentally ill.

  • Comment posted by Scooter, at 13:37 14 Dec 2012

    @153. No youth policy? You do know they hold the FA Youth Cup, don't you? What do you mean by 'classless'?

  • Comment posted by Y0U, at 13:40 14 Dec 2012

    Of course, Guardiola could take advantage of this situation, make a vast demand knowing that he is the only serious candidate RA wants to consider and get guarunteed a massive payout. Exploit those who exploit others.

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