Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez insists he will shake hands with Leeds United manager Neil Warnock at Wednesday’s English League Cup quarter-final in a bid to bury the hatchet.
Benitez has clashed with Warnock on several occasions in the past, with the most high-profile incident coming in 2007 when the Spaniard sent out a weakened Liverpool team against Fulham.
Fulham went on to beat Liverpool and in the process pushed Sheffield United, then managed by Warnock, closer to eventual relegation from the English Premier League.
Warnock said that he would “never forgive” Benitez and he poured more fuel on the fire this week when he revealed the pair’s last contact came shortly after that incident when he received an email from the Spaniard’s lawyers warning of possible legal action were he to continue to criticise their client.
But with their latest touchline showdown looming on Wednesday, Benitez tried to draw a line under the issue at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
Asked if he would shake hands with Warnock ahead of the match, Benitez said: “I saw that he said he has an email from me threatening to sue him. It’s true, but I didn’t remember it.
“I will concentrate on my job and hopefully we can talk about football, which is best for the fans and everyone. We need to leave things on the pitch.
“I’m professional so I won’t have any problem (shaking Warnock’s hand). There will be a lot of people watching us, so we have to behave.
“Every person has their ideas of each other. I 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.”
Warnock also seems keen to move on, although he stopped short of agreeing to a pre-match handshake.
“Enough water’s passed under the bridge,” Warnock said. “It’s one of those things that disappoints you in life and you have to get on with it really.
“You get disappointments in every walk of life and I’ve made my feelings clear over the last few years — and nothing will change that.
“I think it (the email) had his name on, I think it was his solicitor (lawyer) who was threatening legal action and I’ve got it in a scrapbook at home.”
Meanwhile, Benitez wouldn’t be drawn on the future of Frank Lampard, who is likely to captain Chelsea at Elland Road but looks set to leave the club by the end of the season.
Lampard, who is out of contract in June and has yet to sign a new deal, could even be sold during the January transfer window, with QPR and Monaco linked with the England midfielder.
“Frank is fully committed in every training session and every game. He’s an important player for us,” Benitez said.
“But I can’t say too much about what he feels or doesn’t feel. He’s doing well and I’m happy about his attitude.”
They are the current leading soccer tipsters in this month competition. See also tipsters rankings.
![]() |
Book
posts a Half Time Result tip on Mara Sugar vs Kajiado 2 minutes ago |
![]() |
Book
posts a Half Time Result tip on Sarmiento Res. vs Independiente Res. 2 minutes ago |
![]() |
Book
posts a Half Time Result tip on Tigre Res. vs Platense Res. 2 minutes ago |
![]() |
Book
posts a Half Time Result tip on Abu Qir Semad vs Kafr El Sheikh 2 minutes ago |
![]() |
Book
posts a Half Time / Full Time tip on El Mansura vs Dekernes 2 minutes ago |
![]() |
Book
posts a Half Time Result tip on Chrobry Głogów II vs Raków Częstochowa II 2 minutes ago |
![]() |
Book
posts a Half Time Result tip on Džiugas Telšiai vs FA Šiauliai 2 minutes ago |
![]() |
Book
posts a Half Time Result tip on ES Tunis vs Olympique Béja 2 minutes ago |
![]() |
Boni76
posts a 1X2 tip on Smouha vs Ceramica Cleopatra 3 minutes ago |
![]() |
Boni76
posts a 1X2 tip on Smouha vs Ceramica Cleopatra 4 minutes ago |
Upcoming football matches with excellent head to head records over their opponents.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs who play better for their home games H2H.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs that play well for their away games.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Motivated teams after winning five matches in a row or they have maintained a ten-match unbeaten run. The bookmakers label them as favourites for a reason.
Teams in crisis after five consecutive defeats or they did not win their last ten football matches. You should avoid betting on these underdogs.
Teams having a draw in the last five matches.
Teams that have not won at away matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
This tipsters ranking is based on single picks excluding doubles and multi accumulators. For the full ranking click here.
Tipsters with consecutive winnings in their recent predictions.
Tipsters whom have lost a few matches in a row. Bad luck you call it.
Experience being The Good Teacher. I found this the best site where I could share some of my soccer game picks. It hasn't been an easy journey. Day-in Day-out I study the game outcomes through my own betting activity and thus come up with worthy profits. I hope someone benefits from my picks. BUT REMEMBER, never put all your eggs in one basket.
From as little as $1 per soccer tip.
|
According to our computer algorithms, match fixing might occur to these football matches with highly unusual odds movement prior to kick-off.
Sign in to view the potential fixed matches.
Arbitrage is an effective way to make guaranteed profits without losing your money.
Analyze soccer matches, inclusive of past results, head to head stats, today match fixtures, live soccer odds, players and team form.
Check the latest and fastest live score results for all football matches. Know who are the goalscorers, yellow card and red card offenders.
Read up these useful tips for soccer betting.
Get the listings of soccer leagues and competitions for each region, including past seasons results and football statistics.
Want to bet on a match today? Check out the list of today match fixtures.
Read MoreGet the match results for all the soccer matches around the globe. Inclusive of half-time, full-time results.
Read MoreAre you an expert in soccer betting? Join SoccerPunter Tipsters competition to challenge against the top football tipsters and win prizes!
Read MoreCopyright © 2002-2023 SoccerPunter Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment: