'The Damned Chelsea' - Sammy Lee's worry for old boss

Rafa Benitez's former assistant manager has today expressed his concerns over his former Boss' position at Chelsea.  Benitez, who has been hired on an interim basis, has been subject to loud and vehement protests since his arrival on The King's Road last Friday.

Sammy Lee, the current head of academy coaching and development at Bolton Wanderers, spent 3 years at Liverpool as the assistant manager and 2 years as Benitez's right hand man.

Sources close to Lee have disclosed that he has a real fear that a repeat of the 'Damned United' saga in 1974 could become a modern day nightmare for Benitez.

Lee, speaking to friends this afternoon, commented that "Rafa has so much to offer Chelsea, I only hope he doesn't end up sold down the river like Cloughy did at Leeds"

Benitez was an outspoken critic of the Chelsea fans, manager Jose Mourinho and Chelsea playing style whilst he was the Liverpool manager.  The scenario draws many parallels to the Clough - Leeds events that took place 38 years ago when the outspoken Clough lasted 44 days in the Leeds hotseat.

If Benitez is to avoid a similar fate he will need to turn around the Chelsea support and also have the full backing of senior players such as John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard.