Rafael Benitez Discusses Problems as Chelsea Manager

Rafael Benitez has admitted his spell with Chelsea was "difficult" but admits to being pleased with the success he brought to the Stamford Bridge club.

The Spaniard won the Europa League and helped the Blues qualify for the Champions League during six months in charge of the west London club.

However, Benitez was subject to much criticism from Chelsea supporters during his reign in charge, centrally due to his previous tenure with Liverpool and his negative style of play.

Home matches were often overshadowed by protests against Benitez and calls for Jose Mourinho to return as manager and though the 54 year old – now boss at Napoli - admits the spell at Chelsea was difficult he believe he emerged from it with great credit.

"It was not just the fans," Benitez told talkSPORT of life at Chelsea. "My main concern were the players and the staff, the people around and I was really pleased [when I left].

"I still have a lot of contacts and everyone could see it was a difficult time from the beginning, we did well. Even the staff and the board and the people around are happy with what we did. We did what we had to do and that is it."

Benitez enjoyed great success with Napoli upon his return to Serie A, winning the Coppa Italia in his first season however his relationship with the Premier League – particularly with Liverpool – means he continues to harbour ambitions on returning to English shores.

"I am really pleased with the fans, with the city and the club and the players and the pressure and everything is fine [in Italy]," he explained.

"But my family is living here [in England], my daughters are in school they have to go to the University here so my idea in the future could be to come back. I am really pleased in Italy and they are supporting me all the time. In the future you never know but my family are in England."