Hamann, Lineker & more: Twitter reacts to Benítez’s Chelsea rant

An angry Rafael Benítez criticised Chelsea fans and confirmed he will be leaving the club in May after their FA Cup win at Middlesbrough on Wednesday night.

The Spaniard also questioned the club’s decision to appoint him as just an ‘interim’ coach, after hitting out at Blues supporters about their continued hostility towards him.

Here is the best of the Twitter reaction to Benítez’s outburst from the former professionals in chronological order.

Former Aston Villa midfielder Ian Taylor ‏(@IanTaylor7) is abroad and out of the loop: “Getting snippets on twitter about #Rafa here in #Barcelona. What the hell has gone on??”

England legend Gary Lineker (‏@GaryLineker) believes in miracles: “Rafa says ‘Don’t worry about me, I’m leaving at the end of the season’. Still time for Chelsea fans to get him to change his mind.”

Ex-Nottingham Forest striker Stan Collymore ‏(@StanCollymore) reckons Jose Mourinho will return to west London: “Prediction. Mourinho in summer groom Frank Lampard/John Terry in a three-year spell, leaving them to manage club when he goes to Man United.”

Former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer (‏@MCATEER4) is pleased to see Benítez finally come out and speak honestly: “Well done Rafa. Can’t help think the job was always been cursed. Players with too much power and a minority of fans who think they know best. Mmmm.”

Ex-Reds star Dietmar Hamann ‏(@DietmarHamann) launches a lengthy defence of his former manager: “Rafa is spot on. He deserves a lot more respect than he’s been shown by the supporters. He is a top manager who has not been given a fair chance. It wasn’t a rant by any means, he was well controlled and probably bit his tongue for months for the sake of the football club. He has shown respect and dignity towards Chelsea FC even though very little came back his way. Never doubt his professionalism.”

But former Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris (‏@morriskid) offers a Blues voice to the forum: “If you’re in the majority of Chelsea fans who didn’t want Rafa and wanted him out..it looks like you’re not far away from playing a blinder?? As a Chelsea fan, I was hardly ecstatic with Benítez appointment as manager..that hasn’t changed!! Have to say..I agree with him about the interim thing though!!”

Northern Ireland’s Jim Magilton ‏(@magilton7) wouldn’t mind the Chelsea job: “Rafa Benítez going isn’t a surprise! The merry go round will begin! My pro licence will fall on deaf ears again! Mourinho I was suppose!!!”

Ex-Crystal Palace striker Mark Bright (@Mark__Bright) thought Benítez would have learnt his lesson from the first rant: “Rafa rant #2, when will he learn?”

Former England cricket and Chelsea fan Alec Stewart ‏(@StewieCricket) has his say: “Will Rafa go, Avram Grant then come in as new interim manager before The Special One returns? #stabilityrequired One thing is for sure – you should support your club at all times. Individuals will come and go but the club will always be there.”

Finally, tennis legend Boris Becker ‏(@Becker_Boris) feels Chelsea should never have sacked Roberto Di Matteo: “Chelsea should have NEVER sacked RDM, they wouldn’t have problems now…and Pep Guardiola would still be available…”