In the red corner, Achraf Hakimi is a fight away from one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. It's a little frustrating because you see that you can help. Benitez defence a stern test for Liverpool's attack. In terms of team instructions I think you nailed it. Rafa Benitez's Liverpool Machine - Holding Midfield He returned to Italy in 2013 to coach Napoli, where he won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana. I raised my voice. I just tried to put the ball there and Ivanovic did the rest. Other semi final Wolves V Southampton. Rafael Benitez's last interview as Everton boss. "I was disappointed and that is all. Poor, but better than them. There was an issue over whether it was a loan move first or a permanent transfer straight away. Well talk in a moment, Jerzy. No, lets talk now. Then the consequences of doing so flashed through my mind. Malcolm Macdonald in a rare Newcastle United attack during the ill-fated FA Cup final against Liverpool on May 4, 1974 . And Babel has since described his relationship with his first Reds manager as weird, repeating pointing the finger of blame at Benitez for the fact he was unable to push on on Merseyside. Former Everton, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez is reportedly in the reckoing to take charge of Olympiacos. Despite heavy criticism from the English press[141] Bentez persisted with the reward of a Champions League and FA Cup triumph in his first two seasons. He smiled at me from behind his desk. Bentez stands by his tactic, pointing out that teams who man-mark concede just as many, if not more, goals from set pieces. [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. Kylian Mbappe and good friend Achraf Hakimi prepare to do battle They have two daughters, Claudia, who was born in Madrid in 1999, and gata who was born in Valencia in 2002. [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. 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. 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. So I asked who he was going to sign. That exchange took place just days into his Liverpool career and involved Benitez asking him to write down his misdemeanours and faults. I hadnt got on. 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. 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. We have since done another (better) post on Rafa Benitez's Liverpool. 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. Rafael Benitez: Sacked manager did not realise magnitude of - BBC 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. The biggest problem I had with Rafa was the first day, he told Sky Sports. 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. "I was furious with him, absolutely fuming, and in my head I could hear a devilish voice saying punch him in the face punch him in the face and hell let you go to Germany. But once Benitez had decided to sacrifice Alonso to bring in Barry, the writing was on the wall. Rafael Bentez leaves Liverpool | Rafael Bentez | The Guardian The negotiations started. It was such a special, important moment that I took the decision that I needed to be there, Alonso explained. Yet he scored just one Premier League goal in the second half of the season and was sold to Aston Villa in the summer of 2005, starting his final game for the Reds as they famously beat AC Milan to win the Champions League. The French hit-man was booked for pulling his shirt over . And when the fans wanted me to play, Benitez told me he couldn't understand why. "Youve got two sets of instructions in your mind and youre left wondering what to do. [106], On 11 March 2016, Bentez was appointed as the manager of relegation threatened Newcastle United, signing on an initial three-year deal. I remember the conversation and he was all right, to be fair. GAMEWEEK 7 - DISCUSSION, RANT & INFO THREAD : r/FantasyPL - reddit I tried to convince him to change his mind: What have you got to lose? I havent really thought about it, I said. [111] However, the team was relegated to the Championship due to rivals Sunderland claiming 12 points from their final six fixtures. But perhaps because Benitez believes in an element of. In November 2012, he was appointed interim manager of Chelsea for the remainder of the season and he won the 2013 Europa League. 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 61-year-old also won La Liga with Valencia and has collected trophies at Inter Milan, Napoli, and Newcastle United. I learnt a lot. 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. If they come back today to buy you, they need to double their offer as this is the last day of the transfer window.. I don't want to speak on behalf of other players at Liverpool, but people know what happened to Albert Riera and Xabi Alonso. His mother is Rosario Maudes. In truth, he didnt have time to as Benitez made it clear early on that he had no future at the club. Rafa Benitez fell out with a number of players during his time with Liverpool, leading to many leaving the club, Follow the latest transfer news and more with our LFC newsletter. 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. 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.". Initially, he joined Parla on loan, but eventually signed for them permanently and helped them gain promotion to Segunda Divisin B. [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. Kimberly Goldson is getting some long overdue attention from fashion magazines for bold looks that she showed at NYFW. I am very, very proud to be joining one of the most important clubs in the world in one of the best leagues in the world - and I want to win. In 1993, the team completed a double when they also won the national under-19 league. The man management was down to his staff. In some ways, it is a surprise that Benitez lasted this long. "I'm the king of the exiles here so, as far as I'm concerned, it's finished for me at Liverpool," he said. He knows what he wants and how to get it. I really need to play games to be prepared for the World Cup.. May is a special month for. [41] Alonso said that Bentez's attempts to sell him the previous summer were a deciding factor in his move. I was in touch with Meier regularly and he told me Benitez wouldnt speak to him, but was saying Klns offer was unacceptable. And whatever the reason, it is clear there was a breakdown in their relationship which ultimately ended with the midfielder signing for Real Madrid. 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? Admittedly I never really asked the manager, but he never said anything either, never said I wasn't good enough. The 36-year-old joined the. Plenty predicted that Benitez's name would be sung at Anfield more than Goodison and so it proved. Scott played in the cups. The lads could see I was fuming so all hung around to see what would happen. Subscribe to the CV Academy. "I just thought, 'am I so bad that they want me to leave and they want him?'. 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. ". Such a revelation damaged Bentez's relations with the Americans, with constant rumours linking the Spaniard with a move back to Real Madrid. I have some offers. Elliott unlocks new Liverpool tactic as Klopp supercharges Rafa Bentez Liverpool finished. Home. I know everyone working there will be a lot happier and I believe Roy Hodgson is a good choice. Liverpool host Real on Tuesday night in the first leg of their. Jurgen Klopp's respect for Rafa Benitez spotted during Liverpool's thrashing of Everton LIVERPOOL beat city rivals Everton 4-1 at Goodison Park on Wednesday night. If your player didn't start or saw a red card, or you picked the wrong player, captain, or other, this is the place to share all your rants. [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. Then, when we played Birmingham after I hadn't started a game for a month, he didn't tell me I was starting until two hours before the game. Would he let me go? [53] On 15 June 2010, Bentez was presented to the Italian media for the first time after signing a two-year deal. 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. Richard Keys launches withering attack on 'agent' Rafa Benitez over [69][70][71] He appointed Boudewijn Zenden as his new assistant manager at Chelsea on the same day. After defeating Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus with the aid of some bold team selections by Bentez, Liverpool faced Chelsea in the semi-final. If its the way I play or the way I am, fine. Report: Rafa Benitez "close" to taking over Everton - MLS on NBC Rafa didnt mince his words. It was a privilege for me to play for such a great club in front of great fans. Rafa Benitez's team lost 1-0 on both occasions to a Spurs XI each time . Don't do or say anything. Benitez: Cisse is sorry | Football News | Sky Sports Geplaatst op 3 juli 2022 door If they go down Ill come back to Liverpool and stay until my contract ends or you can sell me then. West Ham board's five options to replace David Moyes after Brighton "Apart from that, I loved everything at Liverpool - the players, the people, the fans, everything was great. I dont think people in England ever saw the best of me. By Will Rooney. Starting the following season strongly, his manager even called for him to be given an England call-up. 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. "There are many examples of him treating me badly. 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. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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 . 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. The. becky ending explained. "All players want to play in such great matches and I had been playing regularly before the Carling Cup final. 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. For a player to really be at his best you have to give him a certain confidence, but I did not feel appreciated by some people at Liverpool, he told the Mirror. I certainly had no complaints about that. He told me I was a better player as a substitute instead of starting in the team. I have no problem talking to people. I felt he was waiting for me to make a mistake so he could use it against me. 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. 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. 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. Murphy would sign for Charlton Atheltic in a 2.5m deal in August 2004. Let us know in the comments section below Albert Rieras falling out with Benitez is pretty cut and dry. To be completely honest, I genuinely considered punching Rafa in the face. Benitez famously led Liverpool to the 2004-05 Champions League crown, and has twice won the UEFA Cup (Valencia, Chelsea). Im still trying to come to terms with the disappointment of whats just happened and now you tell me you want to get rid of me. 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. The injury saw him sidelined for a year and hampered his chances of becoming a major player. Ex Liverpool star suffers heart attack at age of just 36 Gillett declared himself delighted with the manager of his new investment, as Bentez overcame his domestic difficulties to lead Liverpool to another Champions League final.