This is a call to all Chelsea fans to make your feelings known.

Please sign this petition if you believe as we do that the club, for all the good things that have happened in the last few years and the success we've had, have made a catastrophic error. Many may not agree with me but I do not necessarily disagree with the decision to dispense with Roberto Di Matteo - the error lies in his replacement. Rafa Benitez has never been wanted at Chelsea. He is as we all know widely despised for his comments towards us and our fanbase in his Liverpool days and bringing him in was a mistake.

He is highly rated in Spain. Many sections of the media rate him. It is easy enough to see why the club turned to him, but now it is plain to see that this was a mistake. He is simply the wrong guy at the wrong time. Tactical and people-management issues aside, there is a widening tear in the club and Rafa Benitez is at the heart of it. There is real danger that the malaise will continue and more listless, heartless performances will be served up in crucial games. For every joyous win against Arsenal there are miserable, needless defeats against QPR, West Ham etc. The players won't play for him and have the air of late-AVB or Scolari in their demeanor. The displays against Swansea (a key game let's not forget) tell us everything we need to know about how much they believe in the "Rafalution" - Ie: about as much as the fans. Even so, Booing and derision at the Bridge is not constructive, hence this petition. Time to make a change Chelsea.

Getting rid of Rafa now will invite more mockery and bile from the media but failing to win the FA Cup, Europa League and finishing in the top four, as seems likely now, will put the club in a bad position next season and have serious financial implications. Every game that goes by disenfranchises the fans further and it is clear the disharmony and "poison" is damaging the club. Many fans are refusing to attend games until Rafa is removed. ST renewal time is coming soon and a change is absolutely a necessary evil. The club is damaged either way, but we're in damage limitation now it seems. Time to make a change Chelsea.

Who the club gets in to replace him is for the club to decide and this is not the forum to make requests - but please do not let the dwindling top class options cloud the need to make the change.

This petition is a list of all those who want to see Rafa removed and this tragic episode in our history over. We love Chelsea and everyone wants the best for the club - the board and the fans have the same aim. Lets do this and move on. Time to make a change Chelsea.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

C Morgan, ST holder, Chelsea writer/blogger and lifelong Chelsea fan.

Twitter - @togaflex

Vital-Chelsea - OLASAL

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