Rafael Benítez's troubled tenure at Chelsea – in pictures

Rafael Benítez took over at Chelsea on 21 November last year Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

The reaction of Chelsea's fans to the appointment was hostile from the outset. At Benítez's first game – a home match against Manchester City which the team drew 0-0 – supporters made a range of banners telling him where to go Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Another 0-0 draw followed against Fulham, and then a 3-1 defeat at West Ham. That meant after three games, Benítez was still without a win Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Indignant fans got personal and directed their ire at the club's owner, Roman Abramovich, who hired Benítez Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images

Benítez was all smiles as Chelsea thrashed FC Nordsjaelland 6-1 in the Champions League - his first victory Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images

In their next game, Fernando Torres – whose career Benítez hoped to resurrect – scored twice as Chelsea won 3-1 at Sunderland Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

Chelsea beat the Mexican side Monterrey during the 2012 Club World Cup in Yokohama, Japan ... Photograph: Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP/Getty Images

... but defeat in the final to Corinthians meant Benítez and his team of European champions arrived home without the title of Club World Cup champions Photograph: Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Nonetheless, they racked up four wins on the spin, including an 8-0 hammering of Aston Villa Photograph: Clive Rose/Getty Images

But a 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge at the hands of struggling QPR meant Benítez had won only two of his five home games since taking charge Photograph: Ian Kington/AFP/Getty Images

Their 2-0 loss at Swansea in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg a week later was compounded by the sending off of Eden Hazard, who lashed out at a ballboy. Chelsea failed to overcome the deficit in the return leg Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

A 2-2 draw at Brentford in the FA Cup was a cause for concern, though Chelsea dispatched the League One side 4-0 in the replay Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

On the European front, Chelsea beat Sparta Prague 1-0 away in the Europa League before a last minute goal from Hazard earned them a 1-1 draw at home, which prevented the need for extra-time and booked their place in the last 16 Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

A 2-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester City saw Chelsea drop to fourth in the table Photograph: Lindsey Parnaby/EPA

Following a 2-0 win against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, Benítez lost his rag. He decried the unsupportive behaviour of many Chelsea fans, criticised the club's decision to name him 'interim manager' and said he'd be gone by the end of the season Photograph: Stu Forster/Getty Images