Rafael Benitez left Stamford Bridge on Sunday night with a
Europa League title tucked safely in his back pocket and Champions League
football assured for his successor.
Surely Chelsea's latest temporary boss could point to a job
well done after seven turbulent months in charge. The Spaniard's much-discussed
CV certainly looks healthier following the midweek victory over Benfica and
Sunday's breathless 2-1 win over Everton.
But there was no outpouring of appreciation from supporters
- grudging or otherwise. Rafa did not join in the lap of honour - maybe because
he feared a negative reaction. The celebratory mood was for the players, their
families and the fans, he insisted.
The other manager leaving this particular corner of west
London after his final game in charge hasn't won a trophy in 11 years.
But Everton's leader, and soon to be Manchester United boss
David Moyes, remains a massively popular figure on Merseyside.
The gratitude and love for their manager was obvious from
the initial reaction to his understandable decision to swap Goodison Park for
Old Trafford.
It was abundantly clear at the club's end-of season awards
on Thursday night.
And it was palpable in his final game as Everton fans loudly
sang the name of their manager for one last time. "He's got red hair, we
don't care, David, David Moyes."
Stats can be incredibly deceiving. And to compare the two
jobs in terms of titles would be utterly ridiculous.
Under Moyes, Everton's achievements are arguably even more
impressive than anything Chelsea have managed under billionaire owner Roman
Abramovich.
During his reign, they have competed on a level they had no
right to.
They have tasted Champions League football and reached an FA
Cup final - where they lost to Chelsea. They have come agonisingly close to
winning silverware and managed top-eight finishes in nine of the 11 full
seasons under the 50-year-old Scot.
They have spent wisely - as shown by another superb display
from former Wigan and now England left-back Leighton Baines. Everton's player
of the season has played every minute of every league game this season and his
level of performance has matched his durability.
They have three current England internationals in Baines,
Leon Osman and Phil Jagielka and players coveted by many top sides.
Moyes leaves a squad bristling with talent and a clear
togetherness.
"Whoever takes the job will have a lot of pleasure
working with them because they're honest, whole-hearted, have great energy and
are a really good team as well," Moyes said.
"It's emotional because it's the last time I walk away
from the players but part of the job is you move on. It's rare to stay in a job
for 11 years so I'm thankful for getting that opportunity and hopeful they're
in a strong position to push on."
That togetherness is at least one thing that he shares with
Benitez, whose main achievement and legacy could well be leaving a squad that
is happy and healthy.
Despite playing a mind-boggling 69 games this season - Oscar
played 79 for club and country - the creative trio of Juan Mata, Oscar and Eden
Hazard drove Chelsea forward in the closing stages of an exhausting campaign.
Cesar Azpilicueta established himself as the first-choice
right-back; Frank Lampard slowly regained his sharpness and confidence and
became the club's all-time record goalscorer. Even Fernando Torres looked the
part and began scoring some crucial goals.
Benitez certainly believes the next Blues boss will inherit
a "fantastic squad".
"I have left a team with more experience, more
character, scoring goals. It will be good for the next manager," he said.
However, if you were being harsh, the Interim One - as the
anti-Rafa Blues brigade still call him - only won Europe's consolation prize
thanks to a fortunate last-gasp win over Benfica following an unconvincing
performance.
They failed in the domestic cups, losing both semi-finals -
including a two-legged defeat against Swansea; they ended up 14 points adrift
of champions Manchester United when the gap was only six with a game in hand
when Benitez took over in November.
And they only scraped into the Champions League places.
The loud calls for Jose Mourinho's return resurfaced during
the lap of honour.
Rafa wasn't there but several players have come out in
support for their departing boss.
Gary Cahill and David Luiz - whose mum wore a Luiz wig on
the walk around the pitch - thanked him and praised him for the job he did.
But at least the manager so viciously booed into the dugout
for his first game in charge in November was not singled out for abuse.
Benitez's previous comments while Liverpool manager riled Chelsea's fans and
many could not forgive and forget.
Benitez said: "The majority of fans were positive in
the end but we couldn't change the opinion of some."
There was very little, if any, anti-Rafa chanting. But
tellingly there was no pro-Rafa singing either.
But less than half a mile away from the ground, a busy
London tube carriage offered a different perspective.
"He did a job in the end," said one Chelsea fan.
"We played some nice football and looked better under
him. It's sad the way it went," said another supporter, draped head to toe
in Chelsea paraphernalia. "He could never win though," she added.
And what about Everton? They need a proven Premier League manager.
Benitez knows the area of course.
Even Rafa ruled that out in his post-match chat. Strange
things happen in football but not that strange.
"I quite fancied having Moyes," another Chelsea
fan added. "I'm not convinced about Jose coming back. We were in a mess
when he left and Moyes has done a great job at Everton."
Let's not confuse matters any further.
Old rivals
Benitez won the Champions League and FA Cup during his time
as Moyes' near neighbour at Liverpool. He has guided Chelsea to victory in the
Europa League and a Champions League spot but is looking for a new job as Moyes
prepares to take over at Manchester United.
No comments:
Post a Comment