Benitez refutes poor relationship with Abramovich

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez insists he enjoys a good relationship with owner Roman Abramovich.

Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez insists he enjoys a good relationship with owner Roman Abramovich.

Benitez produced a now-infamous rant after his side’s 2-0 FA Cup win over Middlesbrough on Wednesday, complaining about the lack of support the fans have given him since taking over and his job title of ‘interim first-team coach’.

But the Spaniard has revealed he shares a happy relationship with the owner.

“My relationship with the owner is really good. Every time I talk to Abramovich about football, I enjoy (it),” he told BBC’s Football Focus.

“I know that he wants to win. I’m here because he wants to win and I will try to do my best until the last day.

“The relationship is fine. I don’t have any problem with anyone.

“I have conversations with Michael Emenalo, the technical director, every single day. He watches the training sessions, we talk about football and when I meet Roman Abramovich, we talk about football.

“We talk like normal people. We share a passion for football.”

Benitez has also played down reports of dressing room disputes, saying he does not have problems with anyone at the club.

He added: “My relationship with the staff, the people at Cobham, is really good, fantastic. The players are fully behind our ideas, 100 percent.”