Milan Baros finished Benitez's first season at Liverpool as the club's top goalscorer. "And maybe, after 10 days training with him, well, that's when I started asking questions. "Just before I left Liverpool last January was when they brought in Pellegrino," he told the Mail on Sunday. In some ways, it is a surprise that Benitez lasted this long. "We have not had any talk about why it is. He would later rue how Mauricio Pellegrino was brought in as his replacement. ", "Gerrard: 2006 display against West Ham probably my best ever - just don't call it 'The Gerrard Final', "Bellamy faces uncertain future as Liverpool reel from golf club attack", "Rafael Bentez calls temporary truce as fans plan show of solidarity", "ESPNFC: Soccer The long goodbye for Rafa? It was, in my opinion, a weird relationship (with Benitez) because when he signed me I looked at him as the big uncle who wanted to give me a chance and help me succeed," he told the Guardian. Initially, he joined Parla on loan, but eventually signed for them permanently and helped them gain promotion to Segunda Divisin B. Rafael Bentez: 'When I see Ancelotti, we don't talk about Istanbul much' He could never let me do my thing. The amount of time in training that wed do shape, tactics and nothing else! 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. In terms of team instructions I think you nailed it. ". [58], By December 2010, Inter had slumped to sixth in Serie A, 13 points adrift of the top (although Inter played two games less), having suffered consecutive defeats against arch rivals Milan (which ended a 46 match unbeaten home record),[59] Chievo and Lazio, as well as losing at Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League, leading to speculation that Bentez's position was under threat. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Re: Half time: Liverpool 0-0 Wolves. walking ghost aochi pictures He also played a further three games for the Spain Universities XI. [64], On 21 November 2012, following the dismissal of Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea appointed Bentez as interim first-team manager until the end of the 201213 season. Missing a match, however big, for the birth of your first child is perfectly understandable, with it appearing the only disagreement between the two came from Benitez declining Alonsos suggestion to later link up with the squad. John Arne Riise was another player who had his future taken out of his own hands by Benitez, with the Spaniard telling the Norwegian it was time for him to move on. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Rafa Benitez has given his verdict on Liverpool's chances of finishing in the Premier League's top four. 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. [123], Under Benitez Everton enjoyed a winning streak across the Premier League and EFL Cup in their first four games. Pako: I never betrayed Rafa Benitez at Liverpool FC Benitez came to Liverpool from the Spanish side Valencia on 16 June 2004 after the sacking of Gerard Houllier. I want to know.. I had played for five years at Anfield and then never got a game when Benitez arrived, apart from three in the Carling Cup. Rafa Benitez shares what could be key to deciding Liverpool v Real Madrid [98][99] They lost 42 on aggregate to Athletic Bilbao in the qualifying stages, thus entering the Europa League. Again, it was another case of Benitez controversially deciding a players time at Liverpool were up, with reputation and price-tag making no difference to his decision. 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. When that starts happening, you have to assume it is something personal, rather than professional. In 1981, Bentez joined Tercera Divisin side Parla. An infamous attack on Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the media led some pundits and opposition supporters to suggest Bentez was "cracking up" under the pressure of a title bid. I really need to play games to be prepared for the World Cup.. "With Rafa, it is all about himself. At one point, rumours of Bentez quitting or being dismissed became so great that bookmakers had to suspend betting on the subject. "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. "We were going into labour, and I told Rafa that I could not go. Liverpools hero in Istanbul for the 2005 Champions League final, Jerzy Dudeks reward was to be relegated to the clubs back-up goalkeeper just months later following the arrival of Pepe Reina. But it was Liverpool Football Club. [24][140], Bentez is a firm believer in squad rotation and zonal marking. That was why, when Pako Ayestarn (his assistant) went, they had a parting of the ways and things started to go downhill a bit.". 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Rafa Benitez's team lost 1-0 on both occasions to a Spurs XI each time . [139] Bentez often plays key players in unorthodox positions to suit a formation notably converting both Steven Gerrard (in the 200506 season) and Dirk Kuyt into right-wingers. May is a special month for. When I scored, I still expected to be out of the team the next game. You can't treat a player like this and expect him to be happy. So (journalists) put some words in my mouth saying that the person who was responsible for me not being included in the Spain squad was Rafa. It was another short-lived appointment and on 4 January 2016, he was dismissed following a 22 draw against his former club, Valencia. Home. 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. He moved away from Real Madrid in 1995, but management spells at Real . This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. He was highly regarded for his tactical acumen[136][137] particularly in European ties, setting his team up to exploit opposition weaknesses. Gary Neville uses Man United tactics to slam Rafa Benitez's Liverpool Yet, the Spaniard is not a monster. [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. Rafa Bentez Tactics: Liverpool, Valencia and the 4-2-3-1 On 21 August 2010, Bentez won his first trophy as manager, the Italian Super Cup, after they defeated Roma 31. There's some speculation about what might have been said at half-time to spark a much better second half - collectively, and from certain individuals. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. We played attacking football. But then for the first game of the new season I wasn't in the team again. Youre a big name, you can play anywhere at all. My objective is to go to the World Cup and for this I have to play. Rafael Benitez's Istanbul memories - Liverpool FC 'You own the f****** club' - Istanbul story captures humility of Still remember seeing him pull what appeared to be a tooth out of his mouth after colliding with a goalpost. "As a player, you just want a bit of fun, to make training good and lively. EXCLUSIVE! Rafa Benitez admits Everton job was difficult because of [citation needed], Bentez has also had confrontations with Sam Allardyce when he was manager of Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. [147][146] Francisco died in December 2005 while Bentez was in Japan for the FIFA Club World Championship. The French hit-man was booked for pulling his shirt over . It was a permanent deal or nothing as far as he was concerned. Shortly after his departure from Anfield, Bentez made a 96,000 donation to the Hillsborough Family Support Group. While Premier League Team A vs Premier League Team B is meant to be the main attraction of the Sky Sports show . [32] Bentez, however, said that his future was at Liverpool and signalled his long-term intentions by appointing Sammy Lee as his new assistant[33] to replace his long-time right-hand man, Pako Ayestarn, who quit after a reported disagreement, which Bentez admitted "hurt" him and arguably Liverpool's titles hopes. Kylian Mbappe and good friend Achraf Hakimi prepare to do battle The thinking fan's Chelsea blog. [102][103] Real Madrid remained unbeaten in the league until a 32 loss at Sevilla in the 11th matchday. [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. Liverpool fans were seen singing his name during the side's. [citation needed], However, Liverpool's poor results in the New Year led to a sharper focus on Bentez, who had missed Liverpool's draw at Arsenal in December due to an operation to remove kidney stones. I looked at him. 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. In the red corner, Achraf Hakimi is a fight away from one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. Bentez speaking in 2020 on winning the 2005 Champions League Final. Maybe I will never swallow it. They stopped me from being free. He won a third league title with Real Madrid Youth B in 1990. Imagine the pressure Id be under if that happened, Why should I care? [69][70][71] He appointed Boudewijn Zenden as his new assistant manager at Chelsea on the same day. Rafa Benitez nearly signed Dani Alves for Liverpool Benitez: Cisse is sorry | Football News | Sky Sports "When you have so many instructions, it makes it so difficult. "[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. Then the focus is on a remarkable last . Everton won four of their first six league games under Benitez, taking 13 points from a possible 18, but their form has collapsed since October. Well help you find another club if you like., Can I play the last matches? was all I could say. Sean Dyche has eight blunt questions to answer as Everton pay the price Not only was he a brilliant coach but he is a very sharp, savvy businessman. Richard Keys launches withering attack on 'agent' Rafa Benitez over What is going on with my transfer?, I will be honest with you, I am not interested in loaning you. I tried to plead with him a little bit, and he repeated the fact that my time was done, really, in his own way. [52], On 10 June 2010, and only a few days after leaving Liverpool, Bentez agreed a deal to become the new head coach of Serie A and reigning Champions League title-holders Inter Milan, a post that was left vacant by the departure of Jos Mourinho, who left to manage Real Madrid. Benitez was in charge at Anfield from 2004 to 2010, winning. Steven Gerrard has lifted the lid on his "frosty" relationship with former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez. Then he said: I think its time we go our separate ways, Riise recalled in his 2018 autobiography. He won the Spain Under 19s Cup in 1991 and 1993, defeating Barcelona in both finals. "There were times when I would get so angry about how boring and repetitive training was that I would just lose it and shout, For f**ks sake just give us a bit of a five-a-side!. He said: I dont want to see this'. Frankly, I am proud of that. I know everyone working there will be a lot happier and I believe Roy Hodgson is a good choice. Would he let me go? Ryan Babel was just 20 when he joined Liverpool from Ajax in an 11.5m deal in the summer of 2007. He left the club in June 2019 and the following month was appointed manager of Chinese Super League club Dalian Professional. Riera would later blame the media for the breakdown in his relationship with Benitez when speaking to Anfield HQ in 2016. [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. "I just thought, 'am I so bad that they want me to leave and they want him?'. [53] On 15 June 2010, Bentez was presented to the Italian media for the first time after signing a two-year deal. [113], In May 2017, Newcastle won the 201617 EFL Championship and made an immediate return to the Premier League after one season in the Championship. The season also saw Bentez make his debut in the Champions League, where his side reached the quarter-finals, losing to Inter Milan. But once Benitez had decided to sacrifice Alonso to bring in Barry, the writing was on the wall. And after falling down the pecking order at Anfield, the Poland international was involved in a couple of controversial incidents before departing on a free transfer to Real Madrid in 2007. The manager understood my decision., Meanwhile, Benitez told his player: "When he is born, you call me and we decide. After Liverpool again defeated Chelsea in the semi-final, this time on penalties, Gillett stated, "Rafa has been tremendous We knew of him but I don't think we realized how good he was, and not just as a coach. Bentez called me and said I wasnt in his plans, so it was better for me to find a (new) club. Former Liverpool Manager Rafa Benitez Reveals Two Transfers That Its like telling (Lionel) Messi you need technique. "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. But dont tell me you need pace. Former Everton, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez is reportedly in the reckoing to take charge of Olympiacos. 8m ESPN. I certainly had no complaints about that. Rafael Benitez | Liverpool FC Wiki | Fandom Get all the latest Liverpool breaking news, team news, transfer rumours, injury updates plus analysis of what's next for the Reds. The next couple of days were a couple of the hardest days of my life. On 3 June 2015, Bentez was confirmed as the new Real Madrid manager, signing a three-year contract. They thought I was playing well but Benitez told me he was surprised the fans booed because I was not good enough. The players and the people at the top of the club knew how I felt. on July 16, 2010. You didnt mean it., I cannot let you go on loan. The situation is said to be dire and Leach may have suffered seizures. Take it easy. [126] With his sacking, Benitez became the fifth Everton manager to lose his job in the previous six years. I said: 'You need me now and I will always do my best. I scored against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-final. [31] It later emerged that Jrgen Klinsmann had been offered Bentez's job before eventually accepting the post of Bayern Munich manager. Im not a defensive midfielder. Rafa Benitez says Liverpool have an outstanding 18-year-old youngster Liverpool vs Everton: Rafa Benitez makes honest admission ahead of I spent six months with Liverpool hardly getting a game. Starting the following season strongly, his manager even called for him to be given an England call-up. "But I didn't argue with anybody. The coach and myself were not compatible. 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. It was suggested that Bentez's position was now under serious threat. He started to get up to go but I told him to wait for a second. If its the way I play or the way I am, fine. Steven Gerrard: I was never close to Benitez and his 'facts' speech [115][116] Mike Ashley criticised Bentez following his departure, stating that Bentez's demands made it impossible for him to remain as manager. The euphoria of lifting the European Cup 15 years ago today is a feeling Rafael Benitez will never forget. [110], Newcastle ended the season with a six match unbeaten run, including a 51 final day win over third-place Tottenham Hotspur. I couldn't say at the time, but I knew this was my last season at Liverpool and I wanted a special end. [25] Bentez swiftly issued a statement through the club's website re-affirming his desire to remain with Liverpool for the long term. Allardyce suggested that Bentez had signalled the game was over despite Liverpool only having a two-goal lead. In 1993, the team completed a double when they also won the national under-19 league. 134 appearances and 29 goals would seemingly demonstrate that. It was such a special, important moment that I took the decision that I needed to be there, Alonso explained. [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. "I think he was the wrong manager at the wrong time for me. Bentez left the club "by mutual consent" on 3 June 2010[50] with a reported 6million pay-off;[51] the media speculated that this was because the team had finished seventh in the Premier League, missing out on the Champions League, and suffered poor results, including the defeat by Wigan Athletic. infiniti qx80 indicator lights. Malcolm Macdonald in a rare Newcastle United attack during the ill-fated FA Cup final against Liverpool on May 4, 1974 . [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. It means that, suddenly, you mess up with a simple pass because your mind is all over the place. Rafa Benitez sends message after Newcastle are beaten in EFL Cup final An act of treason to some fans but what Rafa Benitez gave Liverpool Rafael Benitez has told Jurgen Klopp which team he should pick for Liverpool's huge Champions League clash against Real Madrid. Liverpool finished third in the league, missing out on second place by one point. He told me I was a better player as a substitute instead of starting in the team. He left the club, and coached Tenerife in 2000, winning promotion in his only season. "But then as we went on he left me totally on my own and only judged me for the things I didnt do right instead of telling me how to solve or improve the things I had to improve. I had really to become an adult very quick and adapt. '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. [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. [citation needed], In 200304 season, Valencia won La Liga with three games to spare and beat Marseille 20 in the UEFA Cup final. And I would like to play there constantly.". [34], In a sign of the increasingly strained relationship between the Liverpool manager and his board, Bentez was reportedly close to quitting Liverpool in the summer of 2008 over the board's failure to back him in his bid to purchase Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. In this episode we look back on the extraordinary 4-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. [28] It was reported Bentez did not feel he had the complete support of the new owners, a thought that was compounded by Liverpool's initial lack of activity in the transfer window, although the club played these rumours down. He told me he needed pace up front. I was really upset. 1. wesap12345 3 mo. Bentez stands by his tactic, pointing out that teams who man-mark concede just as many, if not more, goals from set pieces. Mike Leach 'had a heart attack and may have suffered brain damage' In January 2008, Riise would score an own goal against Luton Town in the FA Cup after failing to defend a cross coming in from the right.