Rafael Benitez wants permanent Chelsea post

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has admitted for the first time that he hopes to persuade Roman Abramovich to hand him the job on a permanent basis.

The Spaniard took over from Roberto Di Matteo in November on a short-term deal that was met with widespread anger among the Blues fans.

Benitez has revealed that he has put his case forward to club owner Abramovich in the hope he can get the manager's job on a full-time basis.

He told The Sun: "I've had private conversations with the people in charge and the owner.

"They know my ideas, they listen to me, we talk and they have to decide. I came in mid-season, so I could not change too much and had to work with the squad I had. I gave my opinions, we signed a striker and we're trying to do what is best for the team and the club.

"This is a top side and if they continue to do things the right way they'll challenge for trophies. If you analyse the previous managers, how many had pre-season here? Not me. How many spent massive money here? Not me. How many had to go to Japan in mid-season with players injured and had players in the Africa Nations Cup? Only me."

The 52-year-old continues his quest to win silverware with Chelsea later today when they face Brentford in an FA Cup fourth-round tie.