Antonio Conte has called on Chelsea fans to respect Rafa Benitez when Newcastle face Chelsea this weekend, and thinks that the club should respect a manager who won trophies during his time as manager.
Chelsea fans and Benitez had a fractious relationship during their time together and the manager infamously ranted about being an interim and not a permanent manager for the Blues before leaving at the end of the season.
Conte was asked if he had fallen out with Benitez during the pair’s time in Italy, and Standard Sport claim he said: “This is not true. I think Rafa Benitez did a great job in his time with Napoli.
“Then I remember when I was the coach of the national team and I went to watch the training session of Napoli and also to talk with him. Good relationship. He’s a good manager. He won a lot in his career. He’s a really good manager and I have great respect for him.
“I think that Rafa in his Chelsea spell did well. To win the Europa League is not simple. I remember when Chelsea won Europa League. I think it’s right always to give respect. Our fans are great also in these circumstances.”
Three points
Conte may want the fans to respect Benitez but he will want to be the manager who comes away with all three points, telling Chelsea players that they must focus on Manchester United before they look at catching Manchester City who are flying high at the top of the table.
Newcastle are struggling of late, and it seems that they need the points as much as Chelsea – but for their survival at the other end of the table, with Benitez determined to keep the club up after seeing them promoted from the Championship.
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