Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has insisted that the club's supporters will be "pleased" with his appointment at the end of the season.

A host of Blues fans have expressed their discontent at the Spaniard's move to Stamford Bridge following the dismissal of Roberto Di Matteo on Wednesday.

The 52-year-old came under fire for previously saying during his time at Liveprool that he would never take the manager's job at Chelsea and the Spaniard criticised the West London club for providing their supporters with plastic flags to wave.

"It's not a lack of respect for the Chelsea fans," said Benitez in a press conference yesterday. "It's more a manager defending his team. I'm sure the fans here would like to see me doing the same here. If it was my team, I would want a manager like that.

"The priority of the fans on Sunday will be to win the game. I will do my best and hopefully they will be pleased. At the end of the season they will be pleased. I am sure of that."

It is understood that Benitez's contract will be reviewed at the end of the season.