Rafael Benitez is expected to take charge of Chelsea on Saturday despite his rant about the Blues' fans and his interim manager title.
Benitez launched an impassioned monologue following the holders' 2-0 FA Cup win at Middlesbrough which set up a quarter-final tie with Manchester United.
His criticism sparked suggestions his tenure in caretaker charge could come to an end before the weekend, rather than as scheduled at the end of season, with the comments unlikely to have gone down well with owner Roman Abramovich and the Blues board.
Chelsea insisted it was just another day at Stamford Bridge, where reports of dressing-room unrest have been played down.
A club spokesperson said: "It's business as usual."
It is understood Benitez took training at the club's Cobham base on Thursday morning and is likely to be in charge for Saturday's Premier League clash with West Brom, where the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge and taunts towards Benitez could be more toxic than usual.
The 'business as usual' statement is reminiscent of comments made by one of Benitez's predecessors, following the departure of Roberto Di Matteo last November, when the Spaniard was placed in charge.
Andre Villas-Boas, now in charge at Tottenham, said: "At Chelsea, I think another sacking is just like any other day at the office."
It seems the addition of 'interim' to his title has irked Benitez since his appointment and he finally erupted following a fourth win in six games - a run which was preceded by just three wins in 10.
In 27 matches, Benitez has 14 wins and a victory percentage of 52 per cent, which - alongside Villas-Boas - is the poorest start of any of the nine managers in the Abramovich era.
The reaction of the former Liverpool boss in confirming his departure at the end of the campaign is likely to heighten speculation over his replacement, with former boss Jose Mourinho - now at Real Madrid - reported to be the top target.
Whoever replaces Benitez will become the 10th manager in 10 years under Abramovich.
Never before has the Russian billionaire had three managers preside over his team in one season, but, should Benitez depart before the end of the campaign and ahead of fulfilling his brief of Champions League football next term, that is what will happen.
With Mourinho and the most likely alternative options under employment, Abramovich could turn to a familiar face in Avram Grant, who was pictured alongside the Russian as a spectator at the recent FA Cup defeat of Brentford.
Israeli Grant guided Chelsea to the 2008 Champions League final, but departed after Manchester United won the trophy in Moscow on penalties.
The Champions League was for so long the Holy Grail for Chelsea.
Di Matteo was initially in charge on an interim basis before he guided Chelsea to a maiden title in Europe's most prestigious competition, plus FA Cup victory, and was granted the role on a permanent basis.
When the Italian departed after the holders' Champions League exit at the group stage, attention turned to Pep Guardiola, who was on a season-long sabbatical after leaving Barcelona.
Guardiola has opted for Bayern Munich, though, and attention has returned to Mourinho - the most successful manager in Chelsea's history.
The Portuguese led Chelsea to two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups and one Community Shield, but his time in west London came to an acrimonious end following a series of disagreements with Abramovich.
Chelsea enter the weekend contest with West Brom in fourth place - the final Champions League spot - with a two-point lead over Arsenal and a deficit of two points to third-placed Tottenham.
Defending champions Manchester City are second, seven points better off than the Blues, while Manchester United are on course for the title, with 19 more points than Benitez's team.
Champions League football next term is the over-riding priority - the consequences of missing out could be cataclysmic - and Chelsea's chances of a trophy this term depend on the FA Cup and the Europa League.
Whoever the manager is when Chelsea play at Old Trafford on March 10, Victor Moses is optimistic of success.
He said in the London Evening Standard: "United are probably the toughest team (left in the competition).
"We have quality players here, they have good players, too. If we work together as a team, I can see us really going far and beating United.
"If we can play together as a team, which we have been doing, I don't see anyone stopping us.
"If we can get to the FA Cup final, that will be nice for us. It's not going to be as easy but hopefully we can beat United."
what do you think?
Jaryd Govindan
chelsea fans should stop blaming the manager because it was the owner who appointed him after sacking another manager who won the champs league. why is it chelsea fans forgive roman so easily and blame it on a manager who's come in half way thru the season and expected to wave a magic wand and fix the mess. managers aside chelseas squad has loads and loads of talent but would prefer their manager to tell them they the best in the world rather than having the self belief and ambition to become one of the best. If the players dont believe in themselves the manager cannot force them to. simple case of u can take a horse to the dam but u cant make it drink
Martin Massey
Because he owns the club & puts his own money in where were Chelsea before Roman. Rafa B picks the team & directs tactics not the players. He said he would sort out Torres!! Send him back to the pool they need all the help they can get.
Jaryd Govindan
exactly its romans money and romans decisions on who he wants to run his club. he was the one who fired mourinho and di mateo. and in a few years he's gonna run chelsea fc into the ground cos he has money but no patience. and best of all argubly the best player for chelsea this season (frank lampard) is being snubbed and your'lls beloved owner doesnt get chants or abuse for his decisions. funny how things work at chelsea cos dare our owners @ man united try anything im sure old trafford wud be on strike
Martin Massey
So why are the fans anti glaziers?
Darryl Edwards
Rafa always a red good on yer fella a Liverpool legend if only for one night in Istanbul and for the lost league title in 2008
Mushtacq Hussain
Well said mate! Unfortunately being the manager of Chelsea is #@$%&!!! Liverpool fc will always respect rafa! Shame the Yanks had to spoil it!!!
philpdavid
Through the card at Meydan. Fattsoda (EW). Hitchens (EW). Deauville Prince. Amanee (EW). Lovely Pass. Kenny Power (EW). DD.
Andrew Stazicker
Why do people want that job at chelsea.?.or should i say want to work for that man in charge??
Martin Massey
Beacause no one ever leaves poor!! you'd take it if given the chance.
lee Jay
Sorry people but no one put a gun to the spanish waiter's head to take the job in the first place and he knew what he was letting himself in for! He also knew his title of interim before he took the job. He was out of work foe two years, so he isn't that great is he? He should of waited for a permanent job then if he doesn't want to be an interim.
barry simms
Anybody in any work profession JOB/POSITION labelled INTERIM MANAGER is in a awful,awful position because everybody there totally under values you and dosent give you the respect which in turn leaves you in the Cold and isolated.
philpdavid
7.30 Kempton. Fair EW bet, Best price 18/1 Betvictor, Midnight Sequeal. DD
shirley sutton
Think he's lost the plot after being out of work for so long never mind Chelsea will have.a new manager very soon
shirley sutton
Get the impression from what's happened over Last few days that its Terry that upsets the apple cart at Chelsea it happened before with the last but one manager a fall out with senior players and then he was gone
Jaryd Govindan
roman is the problem not the managers. he decides who he wants to manage his club.
Martin Massey
They control the team tactics & get results or their gone end of. They take the flack & they're well paid for it.
Jaryd Govindan
chelsea fans are too scared to vent their frustrations at roman even though he's made so many mistakes. were u happy with mourinho's sacking? were u happy that ancelloti got sacked after winning the league in his first season? were u happy when roman rather than mourinho signed shevcheko and destroyed the guys career? were u happy that drogba left? are u happy that lampard(best chelsea player this season) is probably gonna be gone? were u happy that di mateo was sacked?
Diane Rogers
Tend to agree, Roman does tend to panic, I also think player power is rife at Chelsea. The manager picks 11 players who on paper are good, once in the pitch it is down to those 11 men
Martin Massey
Fans have no say in the decision making all they want is to win.
Jaryd Govindan
they have no say because they scared of roman. they would rather gang up on the manager than the owner
Paul Gilbert
Chelsea fans are scared of complaining about their owner as they're scared that he will walk away and they will go back to being a mid-table team without his money
weeflatch
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Paul Gilbert
I think you might find that Martin Massey does not support Chelsea but your deadliest rivals who are the biggest club in the land
Martin Massey
Your dead right Paul.
Martin Massey
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Martin Massey
ps what did you spend 35 million on? a donkey? 50 million to Roman is loose change. to you lot it's life.
weeflatch
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
david conway
10:41am on 28/2/2013
He is always referred to as the interim manager. That is a shocking title and the club that gave it to him deserves all it gets along with no loyalty. Apart from on the field they have become a joke.
Steve Marshall
11:01am on 28/2/2013
Plastic flags plastic fans.
andy may
11:40am on 28/2/2013
totally agree david. have you ever been to the bridge and listened to them? as soon as they go a goal down they start slagging. as for rafa, why take the poison chalice, he has nothing to prove?
Martin Massey
11:49am on 28/2/2013
He knew what the job was why did he take it? As for plastic liverpool would jump at the chance of money and they can comment because they know what wilderness means!!
Ciaran Mulholland
1:52pm on 28/2/2013
Well said David. The club are a joke. Getting rid of rafa and di mateo before him. Easily the most hated club in England
Martin Massey
2:01pm on 28/2/2013
Ciaran i thought you reds always blamed saf & united for everything because there bigger & better than you?
Jaryd Govindan
3:17pm on 28/2/2013
man united are the best. no club in england has more patience than us with the exception of arsenals owners probably being more patient than any one else in the league
endofastorm
10:44pm on 28/2/2013
Chelsea have always had the most uncouth fans. They have the vision of moles.
weeflatch
11:08pm on 28/2/2013
My my isn't Mr Massey touchy today, just because Liverpool are going through a lean spell does that means nobody can comment on the laughable goings on at Chelsea? Well let me tell you something martin if Liverpool never won anything again and got relegated to the conference I would still be a proud supporter! Whereas if Chelsea got relegated and Roman left Chelsea would be getting 18,000 gates just like they did in the 70's and 80's! Form is temporary class is permanent! And along with no class you also have no history! So stop your whining and get behind your team and wave them plastic flags till the end of the season!
Martin Massey
6:44pm on 1/3/2013
Lean spell that has lasted 20yrs as always with liverpool refer to the past (history) as you call it because thats all you have distant memories. You never know roman might buy liverpool as a feeder club?