Factbox on Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez, who confirmed on Wednesday he was leaving the club at the end of the season. He said he was unhappy with the actions of the board and the fans.
- Angry Benitez lashes out at Chelsea fans
- Brazen Benitez risks losing Chelsea job
* Born in Madrid, April 16, 1960.
* After a knee injury forced him into premature retirement ending a modest playing career, Spaniard Benitez began coaching in the Real Madrid youth section.
* From 1993 to 2001 he coached Real Madrid B, Valladolid, Osasuna, Extremadura and Tenerife.
* 2001/02 -- led Valencia to their first league title in 31 years in his first season in charge. The club won La Liga again in 2004 and beat Olympique Marseille 2-0 in the UEFA Cup final to win their first domestic and European double.
LIVERPOOL
* 2004, June 16 -- Liverpool confirmed Benitez appointment.
* 2004/05 -- His first season ended in triumph with the unforgettable Champions League final victory over AC Milan in Istanbul when his side overturned a 3-0 halftime deficit to draw 3-3 and win on penalties.
* 2005-06 -- Liverpool beat West Ham in the FA Cup final.
* 2006-07 -- Liverpool reached the Champions League final again in Athens, but ended up losing to AC Milan.
* 2009-10 -- A poor season ended with Liverpool seventh in the Premier League and they also failed to negotiate the group stage of the Champions League.
* 2010, June 3 -- Benitez left Liverpool by mutual consent and a week later joined European champions Inter Milan.
INTER MILAN
* Inter stuck with the same treble-winning squad but injuries began to bite and form soon dipped with a derby defeat by AC Milan -- one of their worst performances for years.
* Benitez left after six months in charge despite winning the World Club Cup after a row with president Massimo Moratti.
CHELSEA
* Appointed as interim boss of the European champions in November after Roberto Di Matteo was sacked following a 3-0 defeat at Juventus which contributed to their Champions League group stage elimination.
Benitez was never popular with fans and results did not especially improve, leading to a trademark "Rafa rant" where he slammed the club for making him "interim" boss and lambasted the supporters after an FA Cup fifth round win at Middlesbrough.
The outburst followed media reports of tensions between him and the team.
Photograph: Scott Heavey/Getty Images
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