Benitez to leave Chelsea

Rafa Benitez says he has no regrets about his outburst against the club and fans.

He's made an appeal for team spirit to see them through the rest of the season.

But some fans are warning him to expect a torrid time today, when Chelsea play West Brom at Stamford Bridge.

Former Chelsea player Nigel Spackman said he thought Rafael Benitez has found things difficult at Stamford Bridge after he was given the post of Interim Manager.

Chelsea FC has now confirmed that Rafael Benitez's press conference tomorrow will take place as usual from 1pm tomorrow.

Watch Rafael Benitez's interview with ITV4 after Chelsea beat Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium in the FA Cup fifth-round.

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez revealed during a press conference last night that he will stand down at the end of the season.

Speaking after Chelsea's 2-0 win against Middlesbrough, Benitez said he was "disappointed" with some fans who he described as "wasting time" making negative banners instead of supporting the club.

He also revealed that he did not expect the word "interim" to be added to his title when he signed his contract:

Listen to Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez's interview with BBC Radio 5 Live in which he rants about fans of the club having an "agenda" here.

Former Chelsea player Andy Townsend said that he could understand Benitez's frustrations.

He told ITV Sport:

"He's got a point about the interim manager scenario...why did they need to do that?

"He's been given the manager job, call him the manager....They gave him a job until the end of the season; there was no need to compound that and give people a stick to beat him with. I don't really see the need for that."

He added: "Ultimately the Chelsea hierarchy those at the very top, are responsible for all this mess.

"They've got some very talented young players and those young players at the moment don't know who's in charge and who isn't. And that is never good. It's never good when you're standing there looking at your boss and you don't know how long he's going to be there.

The former midfielder also said that fans could do more to support the team:

"I can understand the fans' frustrations towards him, but he's got the job now, get behind the team.

"You can make banners about how much you don't like Benitez - start making some banners about how much you love the club and love the players that are out there trying to do it for you."

However, he said that Benitez must have known what he was letting himself in for at the club.

He said: "The history that he had at Liverpool against Chelsea was always going to be an issue for Rafa....It's an awkward situation for players, for everybody, and I can understand Benitez's frustrations, but he must have known what he was letting himself in for coming to Chelsea."

Labrokes favour former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho over Dortmund's Jurgen Klopp to replace Rafa Benitez:

William Hill offer 10/1 on Benitez to have left the club by noon today and 3/1 on an exit by 3pm on Saturday:

A report on the official Chelsea website makes little mention of Rafa Benitez's angry tirade at fans last night.

The article plays down the incident, saying instead that the manger merely "expressed his wish for the fans to unite in creating a positive atmosphere":

• Watch: Benitez reveals plans to leave club in rant at fans

A Chelsea spokesman has told ITV News that Rafael Benitez will be taking a training session today and that it is "business as usual" at the club.