LONDON – Chelsea have appointed Rafael Benitez as their new manager on a rolling minute to minute contract.
The long-term deal sees the former Liverpool manager take over for at least one training session and may even still be in charge for his first game against Manchester City on the weekend.
Benitez will have the option to extend the deal every half an hour.
Managerial Changes
Officials are said to be delighted with the appointment and look forward to Benitez bringing unrealistic levels of success to the club in the next few moments.
The new manager spoke confidently in his first 60 minutes and even suggested he would still be in the job when he woke up in the morning.
With his first game yet to be played, club Chairman Bruce Buck told supporters there was a lot to look forward to and believes if the first half again Manchester City goes well Benitez could be allowed to stay in the job for the second half.
The news follows the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo. Pressure had been mounting on the former boss due to his increasing ability to be Pep Guardiola.
Chelsea officials thanked Di Matteo for his service – a written statement on the club’s website read:
“We are grateful for the fantastic contribution Roberto Di Matteo has made to Chelsea. But in the end success at this club is determined by the arbitrary whims of one really really rich guy and Robbie just wasn’t able to live up to those standards…whatever they are.”
Benitez has now been given the unenviable task of winning the Champions League this season despite going out of the competition just hours ago.
“It’s going to be tough for him,” claimed Daily Mirror journalist Oliver Holt.
“Firstly he’s going to have to build a time machine. Then he has to get Torres playing well again which will be even more difficult.”
Impossible job
A word of caution came from within the club after it was confirmed Benitez had still not won any trophies in his first 24 hours with the club.
“It has raised a few eyebrows,” said an anonymous insider. “When you’re at a club this impatient and you haven’t won a single game yet it’s expected that people will question the manager.”
“Yes we expected a trophy or two by now but there’s over 48 hours until his first game and I’m sure the new manager will turn it around.”
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