Nigel Spackman: 'It's Rafael Benitez's fault for agreeing interim job'

Former Chelsea midfielder Nigel Spackman believes that Rafael Benitez was at fault when he agreed to become the club's interim manager.

The former Liverpool boss claimed that the board made a "massive mistake" in naming him as interim boss when he replaced Roberto Di Matteo in November following the Blues' 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fifth round last night.

"Rafa knew when he took the job so it is swings and roundabouts," Spackman told BBC Radio Five Live. "The interim manager was a massive mistake from him because he shouldn't have signed the contract with that on it. The fans and the players don't see him as long term and that feeling will fester."

Meanwhile, Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier League table, two points ahead of Arsenal.