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 . "I scored 19 goals and I never played! On 3 June 2015, Bentez was confirmed as the new Real Madrid manager, signing a three-year contract. I told Benitez I would go if he wanted, but he told me I was important and he would give me a new contract, which I signed. Ill get 800,000, great, but I cant spend it today and Ill be five months without an experienced reserve goalkeeper. He could never let me do my thing. Then he told him who were coming in for me Tottenham, Charlton and Everton. I dont know how, but I managed to stop myself. Enjoy it. I just tried to put the ball there and Ivanovic did the rest. Former Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has sent the Magpies a heart-warming message on Twitter after their defeat in the Carabao cup final. But dont tell me you need pace. 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But, with Rafa, the training was so boring that youd come in and all youd want to do was slit your wrists! Mr Benitez relinquishes his position as team manager after six years and the Board of Directors would. At half-time of the Champions League final, Benitez's Reds were 3-0 . By Will Rooney 17th Jan 2022, 2:32pm Former Everton medical chief Dan Donachie has appeared to have taken a swipe at Rafa Benitez after he was axed as manager. 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. On the winning goal scored by Branislav Ivanovi, Juan Mata said, "Rafa told us we had to aim to the far post, because it was Artur's weakest place. Benitez, 50, replaced Gerard Houllier as Liverpool manager in June 2004 and. 4y Dave Usher. So I asked who he was going to sign. Bentez said that he had jokingly signalled to Alonso to ignore his instructions and not that he thought the game was effectively over. "But if I am not playing I have no chance of going to the World Cup, so I am trying to solve the problem so I at least have a small chance.''. [89] This made Bentez only the second manager after Giovanni Trapattoni to have won the UEFA Cup/Europa League with two different teams, and Chelsea became the fourth club overall and first in Britain to have won all three major European trophies. READ MORE: Naby Keita shows 'humbled' James Maddison how Liverpool situation has changed, READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp will already fear worst for crunch Chelsea clash as Liverpool myth exposed. He started to get up to go but I told him to wait for a second. Don't do or say anything. Carl Lewis? Bentez said, "My heart is with Liverpool, so I'm delighted to sign this new deal, I love the club, the fans and the city and with a club and supporters like this, I could never say no to staying. He moved away from Real Madrid in 1995, but management spells at Real . 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. If I leave the Reds, I would like to play in a team which would be at least at the same level as Liverpool in regard to playing in European competitions. It was a bit frustrating not playing Inter, but I had to be with my family at the time, he said. [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. I have no problem talking to people. 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. Given Benitezs reputation as one who cannot call upon humane man-management as one of his skills, it is understandable why it is believed their relationship broke down from that moment. [18], In the Champions League, however, Liverpool fared differently. Im not James Milner, who keeps it simple. "I was very young and I just needed guidance. "Pollard � 419aTEJ continues to recover from a knee injury sustained late last year and Roach is still trying to get over a shoulder injury that forced him to return home from the tour of India without playing and required surgery."West Indies won the last edition of the tournament in 2012 after beating hosts Sri Lanka in the final in Colombo. [97] Napoli finished third in Serie A in 201314 to qualify for the next season's Champions League. Don't sign. The club began their campaign with an unimpressive 21 aggregate win over Grazer AK in the qualifying rounds and were minutes away from going out of the competition in the group stages. 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. The former Liverpool manager remains a top defensive mind but will have his work cut out for him when he brings his Newcastle side to Anfield. This is a player who had spent time in prison and played in the Premier League wearing an electronic tag after all. 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. The Reds moved to six points adrift of fourth place after a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United. [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. 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. A 7th place league finish and a group stage exit in the Champions League ended Rafa Benitez's time on Merseyside. Riera would later blame the media for the breakdown in his relationship with Benitez when speaking to Anfield HQ in 2016. "Youve got two sets of instructions in your mind and youre left wondering what to do. Initially, he joined Parla on loan, but eventually signed for them permanently and helped them gain promotion to Segunda Divisin B. The win secured a top-four Premiership finish and with it a place in the following season's Champions League. In terms of team instructions I think you nailed it. When Craig Dawson is the best defender - possibly player - over 45 minutes, it sums up our issues. [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. "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. [87] Chelsea reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, losing 21 to Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, and also progressed to the final of the UEFA Europa League. He told me he needed pace up front. In truth, he didnt have time to as Benitez made it clear early on that he had no future at the club. 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 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. [147][146] Francisco died in December 2005 while Bentez was in Japan for the FIFA Club World Championship. Not only was he a brilliant coach but he is a very sharp, savvy businessman. [ VIDEO: PST unfiltered - EURO 2020 impressions; Sancho to Man United? ] [55] On 27 August 2010 in Monaco, Inter lost to Atltico Madrid in the 2010 UEFA Super Cup. He never treated me with the respect I deserved. Liverpool transfer news, rumours, gossip and speculation including updates on Roberto Firmino, Manuel Locatelli, Naby Keita and Mason Mount. Halfway through the 199091 season he succeeded Jos Antonio Camacho as the coach of Real Madrid's under-19 team. I thought I would be staying for a lot longer.". Liverpool actually failed to find a buyer for Riera before Benitez left the club in the summer of 2010, but he was sold by successor Roy Hodgson to Olympiacos that July in a 5m deal. The coach and myself were not compatible. Yet, the Spaniard is not a monster. [38], Nevertheless, on 18 March 2009, shortly after registering a 40 victory over Real Madrid and 41 victory over Manchester United, Bentez signed a new five-year deal with the club. - Heart stops when I see the draw for the semi finals of the league and we drew Cardiff. Frankly, I am proud of that. He tried to destroy my confidence. "Everyone asks me why I left Liverpool," he told the News of the World.. "There is only one reason - Rafa Benitez. [145], Bentez's father, Francisco, worked as a hotelier. When Allardyce was manager of Newcastle, he suggested Bentez would have been dismissed had Liverpool's European form been as bad as their league form. [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. 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. [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. 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. Kimberly Goldson is getting some long overdue attention from fashion magazines for bold looks that she showed at NYFW. "I'm the king of the exiles here so, as far as I'm concerned, it's finished for me at Liverpool," he said. I repeat, if they come back in today they must pay double., I felt he was treating me unfairly, but thats how Rafa operated. 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. Yet despite his exit, Riise does hold Benitez in the highest of regards. And while there werent particularly any cross words with his manager, he did make a reluctant exit at the end of that season after being told his services were no longer required. Its like telling (Lionel) Messi you need technique. Rafael Benitez has told Jurgen Klopp which team he should pick for Liverpool's huge Champions League clash against Real Madrid. [94] Bentez agreed a two-year contract after meeting club president Aurelio De Laurentiis in London. In this episode we look back on the extraordinary 4-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. 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. 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. "[39] With ten wins in their last 11 games, Liverpool finished the season on a high, finishing second in the league for the first time under Bentez, four points off champions Manchester United, with Liverpool playing an attractive brand of attacking football at odds with the side that struggled through the winter months. . [47] It was suggested that this Liverpool team was missing Bentez's characteristic defensive rigidity[48] despite the fact that only Manchester United and Chelsea conceded fewer goals than Liverpool, and lacked the necessary depth to cope with injuries to key players such as Gerrard and Fernando Torres while Bentez's decision making was called into question. Bentez was appointed coach of Valencia and won La Liga in the 200102 season. [11] These differences of opinion saw Bentez resign as Valencia coach on 1 June 2004. The man management was down to his staff. And thats prompted us to look back at Benitezs time across Stanley Park at Anfield, and recall some of the players Liverpool sold after disagreements with their manager. I should have stayed a bit longer and trusted myself, I should have. It was never really explained to me. Not quite fitting into the Reds favoured system, failing to forge a successful partnership with Fernando Torres and not being suited to lead the line when the Spaniard was injured all contributed to his premature departure. It was no surprise that the Spaniard had quickly decided to move the striker on, and the Wales international would later reveal his problems with his manager started on day one. In February 2007, he was caught up in a drunken fight with team-mate John Arne Riise. "I was never given a chance and that hurts. Given Bellamys reputation, you can imagine these were not the only occasions when the duo failed to see eye to eye. All of a sudden youre confused. I meet him from time to time like at Pepe Reinas wedding, or some family parties.. [31] It later emerged that Jrgen Klinsmann had been offered Bentez's job before eventually accepting the post of Bayern Munich manager. Bentez also gave new life to existing Liverpool players, transforming Jamie Carragher from a utility player to one of Europe's top centre backs alongside Sami Hyypi. The biggest problem I had with Rafa was the first day, he told Sky Sports. In 1985, he signed for Segunda Divisin B club Linares and under Enrique Mateos, he served as a player/coach. "I have not said I am going to leave Liverpool. Liverpool were hit with budget restrictions in 2006, and then-reds boss Benitez was only given 10 million to spend on a right-midfielder. I miss all that a little.". Brooklyn, USA models-art.ru Joined June Brooklyn-based designer Kimberly Goldson competed in reality show 'Project Runway,' just landed in the Saks window, and is preparing to make. He won his first league game in charge, beating Southampton 31. [102][103] Real Madrid remained unbeaten in the league until a 32 loss at Sevilla in the 11th matchday. Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia they won the Champions League that following season and he was justified.. [22], Dudek's heroics in the final were not enough for him to stay as first-choice keeper, as newly signed Pepe Reina replaced him in from the start of the 200506 season. Liverpool host Real on Tuesday night in the first leg of their. Rafa Benitez promised me a certain development, but very quickly he took away that promise and it was a totally different situation. It was the club's 10th Premier League defeat of the season - and their ninth in their last 12 league matches - to leave . Due to this unbeaten run, Benitez was nominated for the Manager of the Month award. He's never sorted out a situation with a player by talking with him. ", "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? 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. "We have not had any talk about why it is. Rafael Bentez Maudes (born 16 April 1960) is a Spanish professional football manager and former player who most recently managed Premier League club Everton.. Bentez joined Real Madrid's coaching staff at the age of 26, going on to work as the under-19 and reserve team coach, and assistant manager for the senior team. 1. wesap12345 3 mo. It was either his way or no way. 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. I got more and more frustrated with him until transfer deadline day when I finally boiled over. Imagine the pressure Id be under if that happened, Why should I care? 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. 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". Rafa Benitez is my favourite coach in world football. However, as the labour dragged on, the Reds boss had a decision to make as he went ahead without the midfielder and ultimately snubbed Alonsos offer to fly out on the day of the game. [7], During the 199293 season, Bentez also worked as an assistant coach to Mariano Garca Remn at Real Madrid B. 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). When I look back I could have done things differently but at the same time I also think I could have got more guidance from the coaches.. Rafael Benitez's last interview as Everton boss. Benitez did far more. Keep up to date with the latest breaking news, transfer gossip and everything LFC with thousands of Reds! Liverpool came from 20 down and were losing 32 in stoppage time when Steven Gerrard scored a dramatic late equalizer. A lot of people at Liverpool treated me well and asked me to stay, but I could not turn down such a massive club as Chelsea. 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 didnt mince his words. Rafa Benitez was sacked as Everton manager on Sunday after a 2-1 loss at Norwich City. 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. On two occasions early last season, against Fulham and Lyon, the fans booed when I was subbed. [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. After leaving Liverpool in June 2010, Bentez was appointed manager of treble-winning side Inter Milan. Benitez came to Liverpool from the Spanish side Valencia on 16 June 2004 after the sacking of Gerard Houllier. 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 returned to Italy in 2013 to coach Napoli, where he won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana. infiniti qx80 indicator lights. He smiled at me from behind his desk. He would later rue how Mauricio Pellegrino was brought in as his replacement. [24][140], Bentez is a firm believer in squad rotation and zonal marking. Shortly after his departure from Anfield, Bentez made a 96,000 donation to the Hillsborough Family Support Group. That was why, when Pako Ayestarn (his assistant) went, they had a parting of the ways and things started to go downhill a bit.". "There are many examples of him treating me badly. In the next game, a 00 draw against Canada, he was injured in a hard tackle. It means that, suddenly, you mess up with a simple pass because your mind is all over the place. [citation needed], Bentez has also had confrontations with Sam Allardyce when he was manager of Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers. Only the two men would truly be able to answer whether their relationship changed after that trip to the San Siro. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. ". Xabi Alonsos relationship with Benitez is a curious one. Liverpool's worst run in 22 years[46] combined with an exit from the Champions League at the group stages led to the first major vocal criticism of Bentez by Liverpool fans. "I have still not swallowed it. Or when Bentez takes me off during a game even if I haven't used up all my energy on the pitch. In his second interview he said: "I do not want to make trouble with the manager. Sometimes there were rows, others were just ostracised from the team, but all of them knew their Reds days were numbered after crossing paths with the Spaniard. 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. "Right now the only market open is the Russian one, I have offers from two teams and, looking at my situation, that has made me reflect a lot.". 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. Plenty predicted that Benitez's name would be sung at Anfield more than Goodison and so it proved. [124] This win was followed up with a 22 draw at Leeds United, a 21 win at Huddersfield in the EFL Cup and a 20 win against Brighton in the Premier League. I spent six months with Liverpool hardly getting a game. His reign at the club was a short one and he was dismissed midway through the 201011 season. He told me I was a better player as a substitute instead of starting in the team. [25] Bentez swiftly issued a statement through the club's website re-affirming his desire to remain with Liverpool for the long term. That's when Chelsea made an offer and the deal was done before Benitez left. 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. "I was disappointed and that is all. I want to know.. I really need to play games to be prepared for the World Cup.. On 21 August 2010, Bentez won his first trophy as manager, the Italian Super Cup, after they defeated Roma 31. Despite their best efforts, the Toon were beaten by six minutes worth of Manchester United attack. The. "Honestly, Rafa was a nightmare like that. I have a normal relationship with Rafa. I was in touch with Meier regularly and he told me Benitez wouldnt speak to him, but was saying Klns offer was unacceptable. Istanbul's districts extend far from the city center along the full length of the Bosphorus (with the Black Sea at top and the Sea of Marmara at bottom). 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. I would be against myself if I made such a decision. On the face of it, Yossi Benayouns relationship with Benitez was a pretty standard one with the Israel international proving himself to be an important player for Liverpool. Rafa Benitez has given his verdict on Liverpool's chances of finishing in the Premier League's top four. At one point, rumours of Bentez quitting or being dismissed became so great that bookmakers had to suspend betting on the subject. I can do the 100 metres in less than 11 seconds. [92] Benitez didn't take part in the lap of honour after the match, but many fans showed their appreciation for his efforts during the season, a notable contrast to the hostile reception he received before. End of story.". He did, however, meet the fitness instructor Pako Ayestarn at the club, and went on to form a partnership with him at several clubs for the next decade. In 1981, Bentez joined Tercera Divisin side Parla. We were sitting in his office, just about to sign, and he showed me a picture of me shouting at a player! Peter Crouch has suggested that Rafael Benitez's prior association with Liverpool was, in part, behind his undoing as Everton manager.. Benitez, 61, was given his marching orders on Sunday, less than 24 hours after his side were beaten by relegation-threatened Norwich City. The former Reds captain says in his new autobiography that tactically the Spaniard was . [13] On his arrival he stated: "It is like a dream to be here. He also confirmed that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season. Having just witnessed arguably the most stunning comeback in the competition's history, when Rafa Benitez's unfancied side had fought back from 3-0 down to a world-class AC Milan outfit to win on . A horrific broken leg derailed the Frenchmans first season with the club, though he would return to help them win the Champions League in 2005. It was a permanent deal or nothing as far as he was concerned. You'll also get the latest transfer talk and analysis every day for FREE! [131] In his 2013 autobiography, Ferguson said that "Benitez bought badly and made the feud personal". The 37-year-old, who retired at the end of an unsuccessful Ashes tour of England in 2015, said he would consider returning in any capacity to help out Cricket Australia (CA)."I would do anything to 419HbFo help the Australian cricket team," he told Australia's Daily Telegraph newspaper on Sunday. An unused substitute in the Spaniards first two games against Grazer AK and Tottenham Hotspur, he rarely made a matchday squad appearance after. It's a little frustrating because you see that you can help. Well help you find another club if you like., Can I play the last matches? was all I could say.