He guided Segunda Divisin club Extremadura back to La Liga in his first season in the 199798 season, but the team was relegated the following season. "I had to be with my partner. [115][116] Mike Ashley criticised Bentez following his departure, stating that Bentez's demands made it impossible for him to remain as manager. Other semi final Wolves V Southampton. The 61-year-old also won La Liga with Valencia and has collected trophies at Inter Milan, Napoli, and Newcastle United. [123], Under Benitez Everton enjoyed a winning streak across the Premier League and EFL Cup in their first four games. 4y Dave Usher. Imagine the pressure Id be under if that happened, Why should I care? And I remember thinking, oh my, this is going to be trouble, this is going to be difficult for me'. [86] Results continued to be mixed, and at one point Chelsea found themselves 16 points behind league leaders Manchester United, having been just four behind when Bentez was appointed. Down to 9 men we go on the attack and with a Jean Makoun . [6], In 1986, at the age of 26, Bentez returned to Real Madrid to join the club's coaching staff. Fab was our best player that half, which is some sort of comfort. And when the fans wanted me to play, Benitez told me he couldn't understand why. After that I did another interview and said that I have to be my first critic. "It is good for Liverpool that Benitez has gone, but it was too late for me. At half-time of the Champions League final, Benitez's Reds were 3-0 . German clubs are financially savvy Kln knew they couldnt afford to buy me if they werent in the top division but Rafa refused to let me go on loan. Rafael "Rafa" Bentez Maudes (born 16 April 1960) is a Spanish football manager who was the manager of Liverpool from 2004-2010. Benitez just shook his head Id got the sack, plain and simple. bridge views - the thinking fan's chelsea blog: Terry But with 47 of them coming from the substitutes' bench, and with the playmaker taken off on 53 of his 81 starts, behind the scenes he was not happy with his manager. Real later played Cdiz in the Copa del Rey round of 32, winning away 31 in the first leg. Liverpool finished third in the league, missing out on second place by one point. Benitez did far more. Plenty predicted that Benitez's name would be sung at Anfield more than Goodison and so it proved. [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. Liverpool chiefs are pulling in different directions", "Liverpool brand Bentez exit talk as "ridiculous", "Liverpool have six games to save their season", "Xabi Alonso: I decided to leave Liverpool FC after club's move for Gareth Barry", "John Aldridge: Funding woe sure to frustrate Rafa Benitez", "Five key areas for Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez to address", "Phil McNulty: Benitez faces biggest test", "Liverpool Comment: Jovetic Shows Genius, But Rafa's Rigid Defence Is Falling Apart", "Rafa Benitez's days are numbered insists legend Ronnie Whelan", "Rafael Benitez makes donation to Hillsborough families", "Rafael Benitez targets success at new club Inter Milan", "Benitez begins Inter reign with Supercoppa triumph", "The end of Inter Milan 10 Ibrahimovic unbeaten 46 points to kill", "Inter Milan line up Capello to replace under-fire Benitez", "Massimo Moratti refuses to comment on Rafael Bentez's future", "Inter Milan sack manager Rafael Benitez", "Chelsea bring in Bentez for rest of season", "Rafael Benitez set to be presented as Chelsea manager", "Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich takes gamble on Rafael Benitez after Pep Guardiola's refusal", "Welcome Mr Bentez, Chelsea's latest second-best next big thing", "Rafa Bentez unveiled as new Chelsea manager: live", "Rafael Benitez to Chelsea: Full reaction and analysis", "Rafael Bentez 'appoints Boudewijn Zenden as his Chelsea No2', "Chelsea fans call for Rafael Benitez apology", "Chelsea: Rafael Benitez boos will continue say fans", "Fernando Torres scored twice as Chelsea secured a first Premier League win in eight games and ensured Sunderland dropped into the relegation zone", "Rafael Bentez fires broadside at Chelsea fans and the board", "Rafael Benitez wants to stay at Chelsea until end of the season", "Ivanovi heads Chelsea to Europa League glory", "Chelsea in league of their own after unlikely European double", "Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic climbs highest to sink Benfica", "Chelsea grateful to long-overdue Torres as Everton are finally seen off", Chelsea 2 Everton 1 match report: Rafael Benitez lets his Chelsea players take the plaudits as David Moyes bows out, "Benitez il nuovo allenatore del Napoli", "Rafael Bentez: Napoli appoint Spaniard as manager", "Coppa Italia final: Rafael Benitez's Napoli beat Fiorentina 31", "Porto end Rafael Benitez's hopes of retaining Europa League title", "Champions League 201415 play-off draw: as it happened", "Bilbao end Napoli's Champions League dream; Ludogorets win PK thriller", "Serie A Review: Napoli miss Champions League in Benitez send-off", "Rafa Benitez named new coach of Real Madrid", "Real Madrid not told Cheryshev was ineligible, says president", "Zidane: a club legend in the Real Madrid dugout", "Rafael Bentez sacked by Real Madrid with Zinedine Zidane taking over", "Rafa Benitez Confirmed As Newcastle Manager", "Rafael Benitez: Newcastle United appoint Spaniard as Steve McClaren's successor", "Rafa Benitez remaining positive after loss on Newcastle debut", "Newcastle 30 Swansea: Rafa Benitez wins first game at fifth attempt", "Rafael Benitez stays as Newcastle United manager BBC Sport", "Newcastle crowned Championship winners after late Jack Grealish Aston Villa equaliser halts Brighton", "Rafael Benitez: Newcastle United manager to leave club", "Newcastle United: Mike Ashley criticises Rafa Benitez and says he could 'own this football club forever', "Rafa Benitez says Mike Ashley 'doesn't care' about Newcastle", "Rafael Benitez: Ex-Newcastle boss appointed manager of Chinese side Dalian Yifang", "Rafa Bentez: ex Newcastle and Liverpool manager leaves job at Chinese Super League side Dalian Professional", "Police investigate Benitez banner threat", "Everton 3-1 Southampton: Rafa Benitez wins first Everton game after superb second-half comeback", "Some bloke called Rafa Benitez has been nominated Premier League Manager of The Month", "Rafael Benitez: Everton sack manager after just six-and-a-half months in charge following Norwich defeat", "Everton fans react to Rafa Benitez sacking with 'catastrophic' warning", "The full transcript of Rafael Bentez's rant at Sir Alex Ferguson", "FA will review Ferguson's criticisms of Atkinson and Hackett", "John Aldridge slams Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce after Rafa Benitez attack", "Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce steps up Benitez criticism", "Steven Gerrard lavishes praise on Rafael Benitez's 'winning mentality', "Was Rafa Benitez right to sell all but TWO of Liverpool's 2005 Champions League winning squad? I am not interested in making Rafa my enemy in the slightest, quite the opposite, but ultimately it is about playing, and if I am not, we have to talk about why not. Richard Keys launches withering attack on 'agent' Rafa Benitez over Extremadura only survived one season in La Liga, however, and were relegated in 1999 after finishing 17th and losing a play-off to Rayo Vallecano. With all info about the gameweek - lineups, bonus, and . My objective is to go to the World Cup and for this I have to play. However, like in Murphys case with Alonso and Garcia, Benitez could again claim to have made the right call as his decision to sideline Henchoz ultimately came hand-in-hand with the inspired switch to move Jamie Carragher back to centre-back, with the Liverpool legends own partnership with Hyypia usurping Houlliers previous duo. Rafa Benitez's Liverpool Machine - Holding Midfield You listen to his former team-mates and all say the Spaniards relationship with his compatriot completely broke down during his final season at Liverpool, before putting in a transfer request and leaving for Real Madrid in a 30m deal in the summer of 2009. [6], The first attempts by Bentez at senior management away from the Real Madrid fold were less than successful. [49] The club subsequently exited the UEFA Europa League at the hands of Atltico Madrid. https://bit.ly/3Im9yA30:09 - Intro 0:16 - 4-2-3-1, how it transitions and roles out of possession 5:03 - In possession: Number. He knows what he wants and how to get it. But it was Liverpool Football Club. 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. The manager ignored me when I wanted to know why. He said: I dont want to see this'. [35] Bentez had reportedly intended to sell Xabi Alonso to fund the purchase of Barry, but Liverpool CEO Rick Parry was reported to have prioritised signing Robbie Keane over Barry, causing tension when Barry did not arrive. Loved the details Riise gave of the Bellamy fiasco; that when he showed up the day after (to basics fight Bellamy), Agger went with him and had his back. Babel would remain a Liverpool player for another half a season after Benitezs exit, playing under his immediate successor Roy Hodgson before being sold by Kenny Dalglish to Hoffenheim in an 8m deal in January 2011. He also enrolled as a student at INEF, the sports faculty at the Universidad Politcnica de Madrid and in 1982 he obtained a degree in physical education. Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has named the two players that influenced Steven Gerrard the most in his time at the club. He didnt know I spent my whole childhood dreaming of playing for Liverpool, he didnt know I had all those memories and feelings. A 7th place league finish and a group stage exit in the Champions League ended Rafa Benitez's time on Merseyside. The next couple of days were a couple of the hardest days of my life. The no-nonsense former Liverpool boss might have been criticised by former players for not being the warmest of man-managers, but in the past he has tended to get results. [88], In the Europa League final against Benfica on 15 May, Chelsea won 21. I dont know how, but I managed to stop myself. I had great contracts on the table, and choices of managers who really wanted me and that made me feel good. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Former Liverpool player and Chile international Mark Gonzalez has suffered from a heart attack and is currently in hospital recovering, as confirmed by his wife. Don't sign. [30], Liverpool made a good start to the 200708 season, topping the Premier League table for the first time under Bentez after a comprehensive 60 win over Derby County. The French hit-man was booked for pulling his shirt over . []419HbFo[] - 419 When Mourinho exited Chelsea in 2007, Bentez said, "You know my relationship with him, it is better that I do not say anything", declining to comment as Ferguson and Arsenal manager Arsne Wenger had. Rafael Benitez's Istanbul memories - Liverpool FC In 1981, Bentez joined Tercera Divisin side Parla. You said youd help me. In this episode we look back on the extraordinary 4-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. Classy timing'.". I thought: 'No matter how the manager is treating me, I'm showing the fans the club is in my heart.' Mr Benitez relinquishes his position as team manager after six years and the Board of Directors would. In the blue corner, Kylian Mbappe stands tall as the undisputed champion of the world. The title challenge, however, fizzled out early in the season, with Liverpool's poor form away from Anfield leading to speculation Bentez's tenure at Liverpool was short-lived, with his agent quoted as saying Bentez would consider offers to manage in Italy. There was an issue over whether it was a loan move first or a permanent transfer straight away. I dont want to blame the coach for me not having the ultimate career at Liverpool but I felt it could have been closer in terms of guidance and support.". I hadnt got on. Bentez played as a midfielder for both Real Madrid Aficionados in the Tercera Divisin and Castilla CF in the Segunda Divisin. ago. 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 would later rue how Mauricio Pellegrino was brought in as his replacement. [18], In the Champions League, however, Liverpool fared differently. The. He also confirmed that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season. "Just sometimes, he might as well have turned a player into an Xbox, dressed me up like RoboCop and put a picture of my face on it. [7], During the 199293 season, Bentez also worked as an assistant coach to Mariano Garca Remn at Real Madrid B. But his constant instructions really restricted me. Hardly the sort of character you can see embracing the Spaniards totalitarian style. After everything the coach has put me through, I'm not going to give him that parting gift (of a fee). 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. If I played well, I never felt he gave me credit. It was a normal Craig Bellamy picture in a newspaper! Subscribe to the CV Academy. Given his past, the manager was a controversial choice. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Carragher leads Liverpool fans mocking Everton over 'agent' Rafa "It is not true that I had or have had disputes with Bentez, but I am annoyed that when I'm fit I only warm the bench, Baros said on the eve of Istanbul. By Will Rooney. [146] Rosario is a big football fan and supported Real Madrid, while his father supported Atltico Madrid. Take part in our Liverpool FC 'Keep or Sell' survey: While Murphy was moved on straight away, it was a different story for Stephane Henchoz. "[91], On 19 May, in his final competitive game as Chelsea manager, Bentez managed the team to a 21 home win over Everton, ensuring a third-place finish in the Premier League and a direct spot in the following season's Champions League group stage. I had really to become an adult very quick and adapt. It was funny. This view was later supported by Sir Alex Ferguson. He was doing his job, I get that, but it was hard. The man management was down to his staff. Punching a Liverpool manager who had won the European Cup only a few months earlier wouldnt have looked too good on the CV I guess, but I was still angry. Ill get 800,000, great, but I cant spend it today and Ill be five months without an experienced reserve goalkeeper. [42] Alonso was immediately replaced in the squad by Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani, signed from Roma for 17million, who was recovering from a long-term injury. Re: Half time: Liverpool 0-0 Wolves. Then he said: I think its time we go our separate ways, Riise recalled in his 2018 autobiography. 'You own the f****** club' - Istanbul story captures humility of I was so angry that the lads said later the aggression was pouring out of me. I understand what he was doing. - Heart stops when I see the draw for the semi finals of the league and we drew Cardiff. West Ham board's five options to replace David Moyes after Brighton . The story behind Rafa Benitez's love affair with Liverpool - and how he But while the striker disputed such claims, he did twice voice his grievances with some of his managers decisions to the press over the course of the season, prior to being sold to the Villans in a 6.5m deal. [56] Bentez's first Serie A game in charge was on 31 August 2010 in a 00 draw away to Bologna in the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. I still dont know his real reasons. Its like telling (Lionel) Messi you need technique. The lads could see I was fuming so all hung around to see what would happen. Rafa came to sit next to me, he recalled in his 2013 autobiography. It was a permanent deal or nothing as far as he was concerned. "I'm the king of the exiles here so, as far as I'm concerned, it's finished for me at Liverpool," he said. Still remember seeing him pull what appeared to be a tooth out of his mouth after colliding with a goalpost. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Signed in an 8m from Espanyol in the summer of 2008, he featured regularly in his first season with the club as Liverpool fell narrowly short in the Premier League title-race. "[122] Benitez is only the second person to manage both Liverpool and Everton, since William Edward Barclay in 1890s. In terms of team instructions I think you nailed it. Would he let me go? I knew he wasnt the man for me, but because it was Liverpool I just had to sign.. [37] This off-field turmoil was in contrast to Liverpool's impressive start to the 200809 season in the Premier League, including Bentez' first ever league win against Manchester United at Anfield on 13 September and ending Chelsea's 86 match unbeaten run in the league at Stamford Bridge. Something went wrong, please try again later. He tried to destroy my confidence. Benitez famously led Liverpool to the 2004-05 Champions League crown, and has twice won the UEFA Cup (Valencia, Chelsea). I know everyone working there will be a lot happier and I believe Roy Hodgson is a good choice. Perhaps the most obvious name on this list. He said, "I was hoping for a sofa [a defender] and they've brought me a lamp [Fabin Canobbio]," in reference to the positions he wanted to be strengthened. But to this day I still think I should have stayed. Rafa Benitez spent six years at Liverpool before a shorter stint as Everton manager (PA) Rafa Benitez has admitted that he has split loyalties ahead of the Merseyside derby, refusing to. When that starts happening, you have to assume it is something personal, rather than professional. "I think he was the wrong manager at the wrong time for me. It was not easy, my job is not a normal job and it was not just any game, but I never regretted it. May 25, 2005 is a date that will forever have its place in Liverpool FC folklore thanks to events at Istanbul's Ataturk Stadium. Rafa just didnt understand. Claiming Liverpool were sinking ship under Benitez in March 2010, he said: "I've been here two years and I know how he (Benitez) is. 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. The. [105] At the time of his dismissal, Real were third in La Liga, four points behind leaders Atltico Madrid and two points behind arch-rivals Barcelona, the latter of whom had a game in hand. [citation needed], Bentez has also had confrontations with Sam Allardyce when he was manager of Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers. [23], Bentez's signings helped the club's Premiership form improve considerably. I want to know.. If its the way I play or the way I am, fine. [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. 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. That exchange took place just days into his Liverpool career and involved Benitez asking him to write down his misdemeanours and faults. Im a flair player and do my own thing. [134] Bentez's ruthlessness can also be seen in the way he disposed of all but Gerrard and Jamie Carragher from his Champions League winning squad within four seasons, with penalty shoot-out hero Jerzy Dudek made back-up goalkeeper the very season after the European triumph. Benitez: Cisse is sorry | Football News | Sky Sports "No-one's shown me any respect and Rafael Bentez, since his arrival, has treated me as if I was the dumbest of the dumb. . It says plenty about the dysfunction at the club that days later, Benitez has gone. At one point, rumours of Bentez quitting or being dismissed became so great that bookmakers had to suspend betting on the subject. Then he told him who were coming in for me Tottenham, Charlton and Everton. 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). "Apart from that, I loved everything at Liverpool - the players, the people, the fans, everything was great. While Premier League Team A vs Premier League Team B is meant to be the main attraction of the Sky Sports show . LIVE Transfer Talk: Man United monitoring Lewandowski's future. After his success with the U19s, Bentez then succeeded Garca Remn at the start of the 199394 season. I was with the national side, before the World Cup, he recalled to the Times. They have two daughters, Claudia, who was born in Madrid in 1999, and gata who was born in Valencia in 2002. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. "All players want to play in such great matches and I had been playing regularly before the Carling Cup final. I had played for five years at Anfield and then never got a game when Benitez arrived, apart from three in the Carling Cup. [60] Despite criticism, Bentez guided Inter to win the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2010. And after moving to Stamford Bridge, Benayoun would lay into his former Reds boss, insisting he was the only reason he had any interest in leaving Anfield. I've certainly never said a bad word about him as a manager, I thought he was top, Keane told The Football Show on Sky Sports last year. "Honestly, Rafa was a nightmare like that. I learnt a lot. Further injury problems saw him miss almost the entire 198586 season and he subsequently retired as a player. At first, I thought maybe he was going actually coming to justify his decision to leave me out. The Reds play the Spanish champions on Tuesday in the round of 16 first-leg at Anfield. We were sitting in his office, just about to sign, and he showed me a picture of me shouting at a player! I tried to convince him to change his mind: What have you got to lose? Geplaatst op 3 juli 2022 door In the red corner, Achraf Hakimi is a fight away from one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. Take it easy. Liverpool fans were seen singing his name during the side's. Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp sent Real Madrid message by Rafa Benitez He moved away from Real Madrid in 1995, but management spells at Real . How does Liverpool fans remember Daniel Agger? : r/LiverpoolFC I dont think I ever really played more than three games in a row. I have no problem talking to people. "The fans don't know" - Rafa Benitez claims Liverpool refused to Steven Gerrard has lifted the lid on his "frosty" relationship with former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez. Rafa Benitez's team lost 1-0 on both occasions to a Spurs XI each time . 134 appearances and 29 goals would seemingly demonstrate that. "Stevie was unbelievable playing that 10. [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. Ultimately you have to trust the players once they cross the white line. "I'll only leave if I go as a free agent. In 2000, he was appointed manager of Tenerife of the Segunda Divisin and with a team that included Mista, Curro Torres and Luis Garca, he gained promotion to La Liga by finishing third in the league behind Sevilla and Real Betis. Mike Leach 'had a heart attack and may have suffered brain damage' Don't do or say anything. "With Rafa, it is all about himself. I need to play. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez leaves by mutual consent [82] They subsequently lost 10 at home to 20th-placed Queens Park Rangers[83] in the Premier League and were knocked out of the League Cup semi-finals by underdogs Swansea City 20 on aggregate. Bajcetic has been one of the few positives for the Reds throughout a disappointing season and looks set for the biggest game of his career tonight. Ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez linked with managerial return after Everton sacking. Well help you find another club if you like., Can I play the last matches? was all I could say. Whether it was wrong or right to let him go or whether his time in charge of Liverpool could be considered a success or not . Rafael Benitez's last interview as Everton boss. Starting the following season strongly, his manager even called for him to be given an England call-up. Were going to buy another striker, he said. Vales time at Liverpool with Rafa Benitez will help a lot as DOnald adapts his system of high pressing possession football, which is enjoyed by both men. Why Christian Benteke is Worth 7 Million Pies - and other stories - the By Rafa Benitez May 24, 2020 Happy Istanbul Day! [44] Bentez defended his decisions, arguing Liverpool's slow start was due to key players such as Steven Gerrard being below par.[45]. However, the current Blues boss has taken . []419aTEJ[] - 1. wesap12345 3 mo. Report: Rafa Benitez "close" to taking over Everton - MLS on NBC In March 1994, he became assistant manager to Vicente del Bosque with the senior Real Madrid team before returning to coach Real Madrid B for the 199495 season. [55] On 27 August 2010 in Monaco, Inter lost to Atltico Madrid in the 2010 UEFA Super Cup. [102][103] Real Madrid remained unbeaten in the league until a 32 loss at Sevilla in the 11th matchday. I'm a total fan of his tactical methods, and have read a lot about it. ", "Rafael Benitez's Istanbul memories | Tactics, Gerrard switch and trophy lift", "Motion expert says Garcia's shot did cross the line", "Top 20 sporting moments of the decade: Liverpool's 'Miracle of Istanbul', "Benitez Uncovered: Inside The Dressing Room On That Amazing Night In Istanbul", "Rafa's Boys: How Successful Was Benitez in the Transfer Market? He (Benitez) said it would be a good move for me, adding: Well definitely help you, well do whatever it takes to make a deal, Dudek recalled.