"[118], On 2 July 2019, Bentez was appointed manager of Chinese Super League side Dalian Professional (formerly Dalian Yifang), signing a two-and-a-half-year deal. They thought I was playing well but Benitez told me he was surprised the fans booed because I was not good enough. I had to make a decision and decided to be with my family. "I think he was the wrong manager at the wrong time for me. [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. I would go when everything was fine, catch a plane and show up there. Admittedly I never really asked the manager, but he never said anything either, never said I wasn't good enough. The resulting coverage resulted in a show of support by fans in support of Bentez which culminated in a fans' march in support of Bentez ahead of the critical Champions League home tie with Porto, which they won 41. I can do the 100 metres in less than 11 seconds. I hadnt got on. I certainly had no complaints about that. Fully fit again in time for Benitezs arrival, he featured throughout pre-season and even scored in a friendly vs Celtic. Its like telling (Lionel) Messi you need technique. [72], The appointment was initially unpopular with many Chelsea fans due to Bentez' association with Liverpool and comments he had previously made about Chelsea,[73] and he received a "fiercely hostile reception" as he was introduced at his first home game, a 00 draw with Manchester City on 25 November 2012. I just tried to put the ball there and Ivanovic did the rest. However, the current Blues boss has taken . It was just a case of his manager no longer wanting him in his squad, with the defender going on to sign for Roma in 4m deal. [104] Meanwhile, Real topped their UEFA Champions League group with 16 points. 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. In 2004, another La Liga league title and a UEFA Cup victory were added building on the foundation laid by Hctor Cper who had taken Valencia to two consecutive Champions League finals; in 2000 against Real Madrid, and in 2001 against Bayern Munich. Sean Dyche has eight blunt questions to answer as Everton pay the price [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. I knew he wasnt the man for me, but because it was Liverpool I just had to sign.. This is nonsense and it is a fabrication that I wanted to leave the stadium. He also worked as a commentator/analyst for Eurosport, Marca, El Mundo and local Madrid TV. I looked at him. Published: 20:09, 16 Jan 2022 Updated: 20:09, 16 Jan 2022 LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher was quick to take to social media to make light of Rafa Benitez's sacking at Everton. [62][63] On 23 December 2010, just five days after bringing Inter to the triumph, Bentez was dismissed by Inter. LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton is challenged by Tomas Soucek of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 17, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Former backroom stalwart who left Everton under Rafa Benitez seemingly I repeat, if they come back in today they must pay double., I felt he was treating me unfairly, but thats how Rafa operated. Released at the end of his contract, he signed for Real Zaragoza in the summer of 2009 on a free transfer and has repeatedly slammed Benitez in the years that have followed. The players and the people at the top of the club knew how I felt. Another altercation between Bellamy and Benitez would take place in the Spaniards office after the Welshman was fined for taking a penalty against Birmingham City when Robbie Fowler had been the designated taker. 1. wesap12345 3 mo. Hardly the sort of character you can see embracing the Spaniards totalitarian style. [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. The story behind Rafa Benitez's love affair with Liverpool - and how he "It was for the Champions League quarter-final squad against Inter," Alonso said. Not only was he a brilliant coach but he is a very sharp, savvy businessman. [131] In his 2013 autobiography, Ferguson said that "Benitez bought badly and made the feud personal". Liverpool finished third in the league, missing out on second place by one point. [128][129], On 9 January 2009, Bentez delivered a controversial appraisal of certain aspects of Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure, accusing Ferguson and Manchester United of being nervous because Liverpool were at the top of the league,[130] then accused the Manchester United manager of not being punished for breaking FA rules, suggesting he was "the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things",[130] referring to Ferguson not being punished following an FA charge for comments he made about officials Martin Atkinson and Keith Hackett following an FA Cup tie with Portsmouth. The former Reds captain says in his new autobiography that tactically the Spaniard was . As always you can unsubscribe at any time. "I would like to be here for the rest of my career, but players live to play. However, Club Director Javier Subirats recognised the potential of Bentez and campaigned for his appointment. I really need to play games to be prepared for the World Cup.. Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez linked with managerial return after He's never sorted out a situation with a player by talking with him. The man management was down to his staff. [74][75] This was followed by a 00 draw at home to Fulham and a 31 loss to West Ham. The situation is said to be dire and Leach may have suffered seizures. However, the second leg was cancelled and Madrid were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player. [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. That is something I can never forget. What are your plans for next season? he said. "I scored 19 goals and I never played! As soon as training had finished I stormed over to him and ripped my gloves off in an aggressive manner. At one point, rumours of Bentez quitting or being dismissed became so great that bookmakers had to suspend betting on the subject. 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. Only then will I be better than I am now. Despite the lack of silverware, the main talking points were off the pitch, with Bentez in the middle of a power struggle with the Liverpool board. For some reason it was important that I reach 350 matches and an exact average of fifty per season. For the second consecutive season, he was named UEFA Manager of the Year. Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp sent Real Madrid message by Rafa Benitez Home. "[14], One of Bentez's first tasks at Liverpool was to convince club captain Steven Gerrard not to move to Chelsea. 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. His reign at the club was a short one and he was dismissed midway through the 201011 season. 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. [85] He described his relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich as "excellent" and expressed his desire to remain as Chelsea manager until the end of the season. Even Ali looks a shadow of himself. If its the way I play or the way I am, fine. Gary Neville uses Man United tactics to slam Rafa Benitez's Liverpool In this episode we look back on the extraordinary 4-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. The euphoria of lifting the European Cup 15 years ago today is a feeling Rafael Benitez will never forget. In truth, he didnt have time to as Benitez made it clear early on that he had no future at the club. End of story.". Then the consequences of doing so flashed through my mind. "There are many examples of him treating me badly. [65][66][67][68] He was unveiled as the new Chelsea manager at a press conference on 22 November 2012. This view was later supported by Sir Alex Ferguson. The amount of time in training that wed do shape, tactics and nothing else! - Heart stops when I see the draw for the semi finals of the league and we drew Cardiff. Three days before the transfer window closed I went in to see him again Relax, Jerzy, theres still time, but we want a permanent deal, but Meier was telling me that Rafa was still refusing to take his calls! The season also saw Bentez make his debut in the Champions League, where his side reached the quarter-finals, losing to Inter Milan. Liverpool came from 20 down and were losing 32 in stoppage time when Steven Gerrard scored a dramatic late equalizer. [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. Wed just lost the Champions League final. [123], Under Benitez Everton enjoyed a winning streak across the Premier League and EFL Cup in their first four games. Before that I played at Tottenham, free-flowing football, different managers. Rafa Benitez is my favourite coach in world football. Surely I couldnt stay if I gave him a smack? I felt so unhappy but, out of respect to the club, I never spoke out. "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. Frank Lampard has done something Rafa Benitez was expected to do at 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. It means that, suddenly, you mess up with a simple pass because your mind is all over the place. Former Liverpool star Mark Gonzalez is recovering in hospital after suffering a heart attack, his wife has confirmed. I was in touch with Meier regularly and he told me Benitez wouldnt speak to him, but was saying Klns offer was unacceptable. [117] However, in an interview with The Athletic in December 2020, Bentez stated he was left no choice but to leave the role due to disagreements with Ashley, describing him as "a businessman who I don't believe really cares about his team. Bentez, however, later explained this gesture: he said he had previously told Xabi Alonso to take a short free-kick. Ultimately you have to trust the players once they cross the white line. Pennant simply wrote "GIRLS" in capital letters - and it was downhill for him from there. 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. Ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez linked with managerial return after Everton sacking. According to Santiago Caizares, the squad was initially surprised but they were immediately won over by his modesty as he presented himself as quoted: "You come from the Champions League final and I come from Segunda Divisin, but humbly I think I have tools to make you improve". Benitez just shook his head Id got the sack, plain and simple. 'You own the f****** club' - Istanbul story captures humility of In the red corner, Achraf Hakimi is a fight away from one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. Which Liverpool player do you wish Rafa Benitez had never sold? Other semi final Wolves V Southampton. Olivia Shears and Katie Whyatt were highly commended in an historic one-two-three: it was the first time in the competition's history [] Liverpool finished the calendar year top of the Premier League for the first time since 1996. Bentez's demands were dismissed out of hand by the Inter ownership, with Massimo Moratti refusing to comment on Bentez's continued employment by the club. But it was Liverpool Football Club. Liverpool fans will surely be fascinated to hear Rafa Benitez reminisce about his time in charge of the Reds on the club's official podcast. Im not James Milner, who keeps it simple. Fifteen years after Liverpool beat AC Milan in the Champions League final, I will be sent that message a lot today. He never treated me with the respect I deserved. He moved away from Real Madrid in 1995, but management spells at Real . [106], On 11 March 2016, Bentez was appointed as the manager of relegation threatened Newcastle United, signing on an initial three-year deal. [135], Bentez's preferred formation is a 4231 which he adopted during his time at Valencia and Liverpool. [94] Bentez agreed a two-year contract after meeting club president Aurelio De Laurentiis in London. Steven Gerrard, who was linked with a big money move to Chelsea, needed to be convinced . Rafa came to sit next to me, he recalled in his 2013 autobiography. This is a player who had spent time in prison and played in the Premier League wearing an electronic tag after all. The only problem was the media, he insisted. 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. The left-backs standards had arguably slipped in his final two seasons with Liverpool as he fought with Fabio Aurelio for a starting role with only the Brazilians injury record ensuring he didnt retain the position permanently. That exchange took place just days into his Liverpool career and involved Benitez asking him to write down his misdemeanours and faults. [133], Bentez has developed a reputation in English football as a hard man to please, with former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admitting he longed for a "well done" from Bentez after good performances.
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