Chelsea interim boss Rafael Benitez says he has an "excellent" relationship with owner Roman Abramovich and will remain at the club until the summer.

The Spaniard criticised some of the club's fans following a 2-0 FA Cup win at Middlesbrough, before telling BBC Radio 5 live he would leave in May.

"My relationship with Roman is very good," he told BBC Sport's Dan Walker.

When asked if he would be sacked: "No. They know how we work and what we are trying to do."

The 52-year-old's assertion he will still be at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season will come as a surprise to some observers, who believe Benitez's outburst has increased the pressure on him.

"I don't fancy being him at the weekend," former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I can't see it having any positive effect. I can't understand it. All the fans will have taken it personally."

Benitez has been unpopular with some Blues fans since he took over from Champions League-winning manager Roberto Di Matteo in November.

A section of the club's supporters has been unable to forgive or forget Benitez for his association with Liverpool, and the rivalry formed with then Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

As Liverpool manager, Benitez outwitted Mourinho in the 2005 and 2007 Champions League semi-finals and the 2006 FA Cup semi-finals, and directed some criticism towards his current club.

Earlier this week, reports emerged from Stamford Bridge that Benitez was involved in a heated exchange with members of his squad  following their 2-0 defeat at Manchester City on Sunday.

He denied those stories, saying: "The players are fully behind our ideas, 100%."

Watch the full Football Focus interview with Rafael Benitez on BBC One, Saturday, 02 March at 12:15 GMT.