By ADAM CRAFTON
Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez is happy to hand over the reins to Pep Guardiola – but only after he has won trophies with Chelsea first.
Former Liverpool boss Benitez was appointed as the temporary manager at Stamford Bridge after Robert Di Matteo was relieved of his duties in November, but the Spaniard has come under fire from the Chelsea fans, who feel that Di Matteo has been unfairly treated by owner Roman Abramovich.
Speaking to BBC Sport ahead of Sunday’s Club World Cup Final against Brazilian outfit Corinthians, Benitez said: ‘Guardiola has a fantastic record. If he comes and we’ve won a lot of trophies, I’ll be very pleased.’
Guardiola, who spent four years managing Barcelona before resigning at the end of last season, is currently taking a break from football and is living in New York.
And although Benitez is aware that he is likely to be replaced as Chelsea manager in the summer, he is desperate to be successful over the remainder of this season, and is aiming to win over the Chelsea support as soon as possible.
Benitez, who has previously won the Club World Cup with Liverpool and Inter Milan, explained: ‘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.
‘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.’
