Whatever happens today, Rafa Benitez will be walking away from West London. But the Spaniard can take enormous credit for cementing Chelsea into the Top Four and winning the Europa League despite the constant and often vicious opposition he has faced from fans.
As to where he moves next, Benitez has already indicated that England is his preferred choice. His family is settled in the Wirral, even admitting that his kids speak with Scouse accents.
The 53-year-old would ideally love a return to Liverpool where he is still fondly remembered by certain sections of the fanbase. But that is not a realistic option with Brendan Rodgers relatively safe in his position in the short-term at least.
But where else could he go when you consider the fact that most top level jobs are taken? Manchester City look hell bent on acquiring Manuel Pellegrini after sacking Roberto Mancini, Arsene Wenger will remain at Arsenal, Alex Ferguson would rather have stayed on than recommend Benitez to the Man United board, while Chelsea and Jose Mourinho look to renew their love affair.
The Everton job is currently vacant and geographically close to home. But that is a non-starter without taking finances into account.
If Chelsea fans had problems with Benitez’ appointment, then Evertonians would have far more beef with him – and not just because he was Liverpool manager. There is the wee fact that he did refer to the Toffees as a “small club” back in 2009.
If Everton chairman Bill Kenwright proved capable of brushing that under the carpet, he would be well equipped to put every vacuum cleaner company on the globe out of business.
Europe
Beyond those positions, it is difficult to see him contemplating jobs at lesser lights in the Premier League on the back of a Europa League win, and a strong CV.
He will feel that he deserves to manage in the Champions League or at least a club in contention for a Top Four place.
Such a vacancy is currently not available in England which means he must either be patient or seriously contemplate a move to the continent.
Real Madrid would be an intriguing prospect, due to Benitez’ personal history. A native of Madrid, he started his playing career with Real’s reserve team before serving as B Team coach between 1993 and 1995.
And with Jose Mourinho almost certainly leaving a vacancy behind in the Bernabeu hot seat, it would appear to be a match made in heaven.
However there are two problems for Benitez which could prevent a return to the club he describes as his “sweetheart”. He is not the first choice candidate of the Madrid board, with the club batting their eyelashes in the direction of PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Benitez has a chance if PSG block an approach for the former AC Milan manager, but it is unclear whether Real Madrid would be enamoured with Benitez’ who has a rap sheet detailing tensions with boards and club owners. With Real still sifting through the debris left behind by Mourinho, that would be an area of concern.
Of course PSG would also be interested in acquiring his services if Ancelotti were to move to the Spanish capital, as would super-rich Monaco who have just regained promotion to the French top flight.
However, the club from the principality have long been linked with Roberto Mancini who is now a free agent.
But as Benitez might say, that is not a solid fact. The way the managerial merry go-round is spinning this summer, there appears to be at least on space available in the upper echelons of the game, and that is even discounting a return to Italy or a fresh start in Germany.
