Ferguson aims early barbs at ‘lucky’ Blues boss Benitez
LONDON: Alex Ferguson and Rafa Benitez were at war last night as their bitter feud erupted again.
First Fergie taunted the new Chelsea boss by branding him “lucky” to get the chance to enhance his CV without doing any work.
Then the furious Spaniard hit back, warning Manchester United’s manager: “Don’t push me.”
Benitez takes charge of the Blues for the first time in today’s Premier League crunch against champs Manchester City.
But he has a chance to lead Chelsea to Club World Cup glory in Japan next month after Roberto Di Matteo’s shock sacking. And Fergie blasted: “Benitez has been trying to get a job for a long time.
“He is very lucky because on his CV in two weeks he could have two world club titles to his name – and had nothing to do with the teams.
“Jose Mourinho won the treble at Inter Milan – Rafa took over and won a world club championship without having to do anything.”
But within hours Benitez hit back, storming: “I prefer to talk about my team and my players – but if some people push you then you have to push back.
“People try to win indifferent ways. I like to respect people but sometimes I can’t because they push you.
“Some managers in the middle of the table can be friendly with each other.
“But when you are playing to win trophies there can be only one winner so I have to defend my club.
“I can’t wait while they push and push. So maybe I must push back.”
The pair had bust-ups during Benitez’s time as Liverpool boss – including Ferguson’s refusal to sell full-back Gabriel Heinze to the Anfield outfit.
Benitez reopened hostilities with Fergie yesterday by naming Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger as the best manager in English football. He added: “There are a lot of good managers in the world who have won many trophies.
“When I came to England I knew Arsene Wenger was the best manager who had been here for a while.
“But I can’t talk about these things every day. I have to concentrate on my team and a very important game against Manchester City today.”—