Source: team_talk
Rafa Benitez shrugs off boos as he launches reign as Chelsea boss
Rafa Benitez insists he was not bothered to be greeted to Stamford Bridge by a chorus of boos from Chelsea fans.
Benitez' first game in charge since taking over as interim manager was a drab 0-0 draw with Manchester City. But as he emerged from the tunnel at the beginning of the game, many home fans made it clear they were not happy with his appointment, or the dismissal of his predecessor Roberto di Matteo.
Benitez though brushed off the boos, telling Sky Sports: "I am focused on the game, I don't listen to the crowd.
"The main thing was the team on the pitch. I was not listening, I was just concentrating on the game.
"My experience in England is that when the fans are singing I don't understand what they say.
"I can understand the rivalry in the past (between Chelsea and Liverpool), but I am sure the majority of fans will understand I am a professional and I just want to do my job."
"It was a tough game against a good team, no clear chances for them or us. It's not the ideal (result) but to have a clean sheet and to see the spirit and mentality and work rate was quite positive.
"You could see they were trying really hard with and without the ball and against a great team they had some chances."
Asked what Benitez could do to win over the Chelsea fans, City boss Roberto Mancini said: "Win, win, win, win, win, win, win, win every game - only the results can help."
Benitez responded: "It's not a secret. It's true."
