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Benitez: 'Everyone knows' next Chelsea boss

Rafael Benitez's time at Chelsea is drawing to a close © Getty Images

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Rafael Benitez has fuelled talk of Jose Mourinho returning to Chelsea by saying "everyone knows" who the next manager at Stamford Bridge will be.

Benitez was brought in at Chelsea towards the end of last year, but it was only in an interim capacity. His failure to mount a Premier League challenge effectively sealed the Spaniard's fate and a new manager will be arriving in the summer.

Mourinho is the hot favourite, with it widely reported that he will leave Real Madrid for a new challenge. The Portuguese has teased and tantalised in recent media interviews and said last week that Chelsea are the club closest to his heart.

He has since been more coy in recent interviews, but Benitez put Mourinho back in the spotlight at his Tuesday press conference.

Asked if he could stay on at Chelsea following a fine recent run, Benitez replied:"We know next year there will be a new manager here, so it is very clear.

"I think everyone knows who will be here."

When asked if he felt Mourinho would replace him at Chelsea, Benitez said: "I have to concentrate on my job, it is not my concern what will happen here next year."

On the same day Benitez was fuelling talk of Mourinho's arrival, the Real boss was suggesting his future would be at Madrid.

"I have decided to continue," Mourinho said, without elaborating further. "I want to be paid by Real Madrid right until the day that I stop, not one day further. I understand that the world of football, just like the modern society in general, can be a hypocritical place. Those are not my principles. I feel fine, normal, relaxed at the moment."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.