But, with Rafa, the training was so boring that youd come in and all youd want to do was slit your wrists!
Rafael Benitez's 08-09 Liverpool | FM Base Rafael Bentez: 'When I see Ancelotti, we don't talk about Istanbul much' You'll also get the latest transfer talk and analysis every day for FREE! He also won the FA Cup in 2006 and reached the 2007 Champions League Final, but was unable to win the Premier League, with Liverpool's best league performance under Bentez a second-place finish in 200809. There was an issue over whether it was a loan move first or a permanent transfer straight away. [43] Bentez's decision to sell Alonso and replace him in the side with Lucas Leiva, in addition to Aquilani having arrived at the club injured, was called into question as Liverpool's title campaign began with two defeats in the first three games. [8], Bentez subsequently quit Extremadura and took a year off from football to study in England and Italy. Benitez tried to break me like he broke Riera. The club said they understood why I was unhappy and promised they'd let me leave in the summer if an offer came while Benitez was manager. Real Madrid B were then playing in the Segunda Divisin and on 4 September 1993, he made his debut as a Segunda Divisin manager with a 31 over Hrcules. I couldn't say at the time, but I knew this was my last season at Liverpool and I wanted a special end. Ralf Rangnick may yet be right about Liverpool and Man United as Jurgen Klopp sends subtle transfer warning, Manchester United are having a better season that Liverpool, that cannot be questioned, but Theo Squires wonders whether there has been a long-term power shift, Roberto Firmino's agent breaks silence on 'unbelievably emotional' Liverpool exit, Roberto Firmino refused to hold talks with other clubs before deciding his Liverpool future, according to his agent, Liverpool predicted line-up for Manchester United as Jurgen Klopp makes two huge calls, How Liverpool could line up against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League, John Barnes makes 'worried' Liverpool v Manchester United admission and Mohamed Salah goals point. It was the same for me. "And maybe, after 10 days training with him, well, that's when I started asking questions. Katie Smith, who is studying at Leeds University, was crowned as the 2017 winner of the David Welch Student Sportswriter of the Year at the Sports Journalists Association awards in London on Monday night. All I ever wanted to do is just to play football.". [26], Supporters and manager joined to welcome new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, with the hope the new owners would bring funding for new players and a new stadium. Yet, the Spaniard is not a monster. You could benefit from new challenges and weve bought a new left-back that we intend to rely on Liverpool had purchased Andrea Dossena from Udinese for 7million, but that kind of thing had happened before. Rafael "Rafa" Bentez Maudes (born 16 April 1960) is a Spanish football manager who was the manager of Liverpool from 2004-2010. He also brought in both Mista from his former club and Francisco Rufete from Mlaga, with Mista going on to become top goalscorer for Valencia with 19 goals in the 200304 season. Its like telling (Lionel) Messi you need technique.
'Rafa was a nightmare' - 13 players who left Liverpool after falling I played all of last year, and sometimes if I did not play so well in one game, I would still play the next week. Benitez went to Real Madrid instead and Rodgers limped on until Klopp, who had long since been identified as the perfect successor, made it clear he was ready to cut short his sabbatical.. Commenting on Benitez's touchline instructions, he said: "On the pitch, often I can see whats best. [142], The tactic of zonal marking has been criticised by pundits when Liverpool concede from set-pieces[143] in spite of the fact that Bentez's squads are usually renowned for their defensive nature and low number of goals scored against them. [107][108] He suffered defeat in his first match in charge, losing 10 away to eventual champions Leicester City on 14 March. It was funny. Don't sign. I don't want to speak on behalf of other players at Liverpool, but people know what happened to Albert Riera and Xabi Alonso. I'm a total fan of his tactical methods, and have read a lot about it. Rafael Benitez predicted, in this very space, on Tuesday morning, precisely where the risk lay when it came to Liverpool v Real Madrid. Get all the latest Liverpool breaking news, team news, transfer rumours, injury updates plus analysis of what's next for the Reds. Don't do or say anything. That exchange took place just days into his Liverpool career and involved Benitez asking him to write down his misdemeanours and faults. "Rafa is a top manager and he's proven that. Well help you find another club if you like., Can I play the last matches? was all I could say. Topics the dayTopicsThe Best winnersInflation Relief Checks liveF1 Bahrain TVNBA scheduleChampions League schedulesNBANFLNFL ScoresNFL ScheduleLaLiga StandingsLaLiga ScoresPremier League StandingsPremier League SchedulePremier League ScoresEuropa League ScheduleEuropa League ScoresSerie ScoresPowerball numbers todayMega Millions numbers todayWBC teams schedule2023. ago. Bentez stands by his tactic, pointing out that teams who man-mark concede just as many, if not more, goals from set pieces. [97] Napoli finished third in Serie A in 201314 to qualify for the next season's Champions League. [95], In his first season in charge, Bentez guided the club to victory in the Coppa Italia, defeating Fiorentina 31 in the final,[96] and into the last 16 of the Europa League, exiting after a 32 aggregate defeat to Porto. He moved away from Real Madrid in 1995, but management spells at Real Valladolid and Osasuna were short-lived and unsuccessful. "It was for the Champions League quarter-final squad against Inter," Alonso said. And he still lives in Liverpool. "Stevie was unbelievable playing that 10. Rafa Benitez at the Run for the 96 5K in Stanley Park, Liverpool (Image: Liverpool Echo) But being a born winner is just one part of Benitez's multi-layered appeal. The previous season when we finished second in the Premier League, I was happy with my performance in the final months but I was not sure if the manager thought I was a good player,. He won his first league game in charge, beating Southampton 31. It was suggested that Bentez's position was now under serious threat. History repeated itself in the final as they then went on to lift the trophy after a penalty shoot-out, following a dramatic 33 draw. Despite this success, Bentez fell out with Jess Garca Pitarch, the club's director of football, over control of new signings and the club's failure to reinforce the squad with the players he wanted. [6], In 1986, at the age of 26, Bentez returned to Real Madrid to join the club's coaching staff. [61] Buoyed by the Club World Cup victory, he told the European champions to back him with new signings or consider whether they wanted to keep him as coach, despite the side having won the treble only a few months earlier.
Elliott unlocks new Liverpool tactic as Klopp supercharges Rafa Bentez Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia they won the Champions League that following season and he was justified.. In the next game, a 00 draw against Canada, he was injured in a hard tackle. I still dont know his real reasons. Among those Bentez sold was Craig Bellamy, who was notably phased out of the first team following an altercation with John Arne Riise in the buildup to Liverpool's remarkable victory over Barcelona in the Camp Nou en route to the Champions League final. Ultimately you have to trust the players once they cross the white line. But to this day I still think I should have stayed. [88], In the Europa League final against Benfica on 15 May, Chelsea won 21. "All players want to play in such great matches and I had been playing regularly before the Carling Cup final. Ill get 800,000, great, but I cant spend it today and Ill be five months without an experienced reserve goalkeeper. In this episode we look back on the extraordinary 4-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. Benitez came to Liverpool from the Spanish side Valencia on 16 June 2004 after the sacking of Gerard Houllier. According to Echoes of Liverpool, Brands wanted Graham Potter more than Rafa Benitez.Given the way the Benitez era has unfolded - Everton are 11 points behind Brighton are operating on a fraction of their budget - it is tempting to wonder how different this season would have been if Moshiri had followed suit with the sporting director. YOU would have got good odds on someone called Fofana saving Graham Potter from more death threats.
Rafael Benitez: Sacked manager did not realise magnitude of - BBC The euphoria of lifting the European Cup 15 years ago today is a feeling Rafael Benitez will never forget. I have no problem talking to people.
An act of treason to some fans but what Rafa Benitez gave Liverpool [41] Alonso said that Bentez's attempts to sell him the previous summer were a deciding factor in his move. [citation needed], In 200304 season, Valencia won La Liga with three games to spare and beat Marseille 20 in the UEFA Cup final. Just tell me. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) He never treated me with the respect I deserved. Mauricio Pochettino 'SACKED by PSG after agreeing to terminate contract' just months after Ligue 1 triumph,MAURICIO POCHETTINO has reportedly been sacked by Paris Saint-Germain after he reached a severance agreement with the club. [19], In a classic final, dubbed the Miracle of Istanbul, Liverpool came from 30 down at half time to level the score at 33 in the space of just six minutes, eventually triumphing 32 on penalties with the assistance of goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.
Liverpool fans knew all along about Rafa Benitez and Everton as cruel START DATES 2021-22 FA Community Shield
Rafa Benitez: Everybody remembers Istanbul but tactics against Juve "With Rafa, it is all about himself. "Apart from that, I loved everything at Liverpool - the players, the people, the fans, everything was great. A scorer of big goals, he produced countless important moments in his three seasons with the club as the Reds challenged for the Premier League title and progressed in the Champions League. A club-record 14m signing from Auxerre the same summer of Benitezs arrival, the only problem for Djibril Cisse was it was Houllier rather than the Spaniard who sanctioned the switch. But I want Liverpool fans to know the truth and for them to know I made up my mind to leave a long time ago because of Benitez. [53] On 15 June 2010, Bentez was presented to the Italian media for the first time after signing a two-year deal. Later in the summer transfer window, Bentez signed several players from La Liga, most notably Luis Garca and Xabi Alonso, both of whom drew immediate admiration from Liverpool supporters. He tried to destroy my confidence. Bentez also quickly discarded Vladimr micer and Igor Bian, who played key roles in the European success but seemingly did not figure in Bentez's long-term plans. "As a player, you just want a bit of fun, to make training good and lively. But from the start I felt basically left out, by myself, no help and that was of course very difficult for a 20 year old. [120], Bentez was appointed manager of Premier League club Everton on a three-year contract on 30 June 2021, replacing Carlo Ancelotti who left to join Real Madrid. I had to make a decision and decided to be with my family. By Will Rooney. Shortly after his departure from Anfield, Bentez made a 96,000 donation to the Hillsborough Family Support Group. I can do the 100 metres in less than 11 seconds. Liverpool finished the calendar year top of the Premier League for the first time since 1996. Besides, people are treating me as if I don't exist any more. If you want to go and speak to other clubs, thats fine'.
The Czech Republic international had had suspicions that he wasnt part of Benitezs long-term plans, and reports at the time suggested he had threatened to walk out of the team hotel after finding out he had been benched for the 2005 League Cup final. He started to get up to go but I told him to wait for a second. Bentez made a number of suggestions during Mourinho's tenure as manager that Roman Abramovich's money had bought Chelsea's success, and the pair refused to shake hands after some matches (although Mourinho declared the feud to be over after a league game in 2006). "I'm not going to leave simply for the sake of leaving. May is a special month for. I thought: 'No matter how the manager is treating me, I'm showing the fans the club is in my heart.' [125], Everton's form declined in the following months, and after a 21 defeat to bottom-placed Norwich City at Carrow Road, Benitez was relieved of his duties on 16 January 2022 after six-and-a-half months in charge, with Everton in 15th place, six points above the relegation zone, having lost nine of their previous 13 games. As a right winger/midfielder, Steven Gerrard had the most productive seasons trophy-wise, claiming a Champions League title, and an FA Cup. [10], However, the following 200203 season was a disappointing one; the club failed to follow up on their title success, finishing 18 points behind champions Real Madrid, and missed out on the top four by a single point.
Liverpool Fans Sing Former Manager Rafa Benitez's Name After He Is [121] Before signing the contract, he was a subject to threats from a group of Everton supporters who opposed his appointment and who left a banner near his home, reading "We know where you live. It's a little frustrating because you see that you can help. End of story.". Would he let me go? . Bentez was appointed as manager of Newcastle United in March 2016 in an attempt to save the club from relegation. 'He was around 10m': Rafa Benitez says he nearly signed Brazil legend for Liverpool Charles Jones 4 days ago Speaking on the Official Liverpool FC Podcast, Rafa Benitez has been. Also added was England defender Glen Johnson for a 17.5million fee. Due to this unbeaten run, Benitez was nominated for the Manager of the Month award. Starting the 3-2 AET second leg defeat a week later, it would prove to be his final appearance for the club as Benitez called him into his office to tell him he would be sold and wouldnt be involved for the remaining games of the season. But dont tell me you need pace.
Rafa Bentez Tactics: Liverpool, Valencia and the 4-2-3-1 I was frustrated when I was not included in the Spain squad for the World Cup in 2010 because I hadnt had a lot of playing time in the Premier League for like two months. And when the fans wanted me to play, Benitez told me he couldn't understand why. Wed just lost the Champions League final. An unused substitute for the 2007 Champions League final, he was informed by Benitez on the flight home that he had no future with the club. He told me he needed pace up front. [11] These differences of opinion saw Bentez resign as Valencia coach on 1 June 2004. After everything the coach has put me through, I'm not going to give him that parting gift (of a fee). "If I'm doing something badly and you are my boss, and you value me, then you are going to come and tell me what I have to do to play again.
Rafa Benitez says Liverpool have an outstanding 18-year-old youngster He could never let me do my thing. "But I didn't argue with anybody. Liverpool finished third in the league, missing out on second place by one point. [25] Bentez swiftly issued a statement through the club's website re-affirming his desire to remain with Liverpool for the long term. What if Pepe gets injured next week? The 36-year-old joined the. I looked at him. [81] Chelsea progressed to the League Cup semi-finals with a 51 win over Leeds United at Elland Road and then recorded an 80 win over Aston Villa, equalling their record top-flight victory. Even Ali looks a shadow of himself. Rafa Benitez is my favourite coach in world football. If they go down Ill come back to Liverpool and stay until my contract ends or you can sell me then. It was up and down but at the same time I had a great experience there. And I would like to play there constantly.". "I keep a fantastic memory of England, even if I still hold a grudge on the coach," he told L'Equipe Magazine. [93], On 27 May 2013, it was announced that Bentez had signed for Napoli, whose manager Walter Mazzarri had resigned. He was unable to avoid relegation, but earned promotion back to the Premier League the following year, winning the Championship. Rafael Benitez's last interview as Everton boss. "On the day before the final game of last season at Hull, Benitez pulled me to one side after training and said: 'You will not be in the squad for this game. Eight of the side's remaining 10 away matches are against teams below them in the table, which should offer some decent opportunities to counter-attack from midfield. [20] Bentez's calm, methodical approach at half time was said to give the players the belief they could pull off an improbable comeback and win Liverpool an historic fifth European Cup. The Reds play the Spanish champions on Tuesday in the round of 16 first-leg at Anfield. Liverpool came from 20 down and were losing 32 in stoppage time when Steven Gerrard scored a dramatic late equalizer. [69][70][71] He appointed Boudewijn Zenden as his new assistant manager at Chelsea on the same day. See you on Wednesday.. "When I went there (Liverpool) I was told myself and Torres (would start) and Stevie would drop into the midfield but obviously as it went on I think Rafa liked Stevie playing that no.10. The young Dutchman enjoyed an impressive first season at Anfield under Benitez, but would later find himself often out of favour under the Spaniard as his starting opportunities in the following years. During the 199697 season, Bentez took charge at Osasuna in the Segunda Divisin, but after only nine games and one win, he was dismissed. The striker would join West Ham United in a 7.5m deal, as Benitez went on to replace him with Fernando Torres, before later returning to Liverpool in August 2011 and enjoying a more successful stint with his boyhood club under Kenny Dalglish. [119] On 23 January 2021, Bentez left the club by mutual consent, citing concerns over the health and wellbeing of his family due to the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason for his departure. "I was disappointed - this much is true," Baros said in an interview with a newspaper in Prague. "He thinks he's in charge and everything else falls on deaf ears. Liverpool paid 20m when signing Robbie Keane from Tottenham Hotspur in July 2009. A controversial early goal in the second leg from Luis Garca saw Liverpool win 10 on aggregate and reach the final against Milan. By the way, we won 0-1 with a goal from Torres.. He spoke a lot to us to change the intensity." I certainly had no complaints about that. We discuss a first half that was below par, and the goals we conceded, as well as Bukayo Saka's brilliant equaliser. What are your plans for next season? he said. But then for the first game of the new season I wasn't in the team again. In the red corner, Achraf Hakimi is a fight away from one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. Leaving for Celtic in January, he was not happy with how Benitez had treated him at all. [78] This was followed by a 31 away victory to Sunderland, with Bentez presiding over his first league win as Chelsea manager.