Benitez ready to shake on it with Warnock
CHELSEA manager Rafael Benitez has declared he intends to shake hands with Leeds manager Neil Warnock ahead of their Capital One Cup quarter-final tie at Elland Road tonight despite their history of bad blood.
The pair clashed in 2007 when Warnock, in charge of Sheffield United, accused Benitez of fielding a weakened Liverpool side against Fulham, which he implied heavily contributed to the Blades’ relegation from the top flight.
Warnock at the time said he would “never forgive” Benitez, and says the Spaniard’s legal representatives emailed the Yorkshireman, warning him of mentioning the issue again.
“Every person has their ideas of each other,” Benitez said yesterday. “I’m professional and will try to do my job and won’t be involved in anything, but what I will say is that the league is 38 games and not just one match.
“I saw he said he has an email from me threatening to sue him, but I don’t remember. It’s true, but I didn’t remember. I’ll concentrate on my job and hopefully we can talk about football.”
Blues captain John Terry remains out with a knee injury but forward Daniel Sturridge is available.