Halfway through the 199091 season he succeeded Jos Antonio Camacho as the coach of Real Madrid's under-19 team. 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. 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). In some ways, it is a surprise that Benitez lasted this long. 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. [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. So I asked who he was going to sign. Steven Gerrard, who was linked with a big money move to Chelsea, needed to be convinced . Footballers love seeing a bit of confrontation on the training ground! After defeating Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus with the aid of some bold team selections by Bentez, Liverpool faced Chelsea in the semi-final. [15] He was unable, however, to convince Michael Owen to extend his contract; he was subsequently sold to Real Madrid. Rafa came to sit next to me, he recalled in his 2013 autobiography. You said youd help me. [93], On 27 May 2013, it was announced that Bentez had signed for Napoli, whose manager Walter Mazzarri had resigned. I don't want to speak on behalf of other players at Liverpool, but people know what happened to Albert Riera and Xabi Alonso. [123], Under Benitez Everton enjoyed a winning streak across the Premier League and EFL Cup in their first four games. He was being honest and he said to me: Look, I want to bring in some of my own players, youre not going to be part of the XI and its unlikely youre going to get back in the team. 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. Ryan Babel was just 20 when he joined Liverpool from Ajax in an 11.5m deal in the summer of 2007. It was another short-lived appointment and on 4 January 2016, he was dismissed following a 22 draw against his former club, Valencia. However, the second leg was cancelled and Madrid were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player. Allardyce suggested that Bentez had signalled the game was over despite Liverpool only having a two-goal lead. It was the same for me. . 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. [90] Defender David Luiz credited Bentez with making critical changes at half time, saying, "He changed some of our positions in the second half. [41] Alonso said that Bentez's attempts to sell him the previous summer were a deciding factor in his move. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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. 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. The striker would join West Ham United in a 7.5m deal, as Benitez went on to replace him with Fernando Torres, before later returning to Liverpool in August 2011 and enjoying a more successful stint with his boyhood club under Kenny Dalglish. Carl Lewis? After everything the coach has put me through, I'm not going to give him that parting gift (of a fee). Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has issued an apology of behalf of Djibril Cisse following his controversial behaviour at Newcastle on Sunday. Admittedly I never really asked the manager, but he never said anything either, never said I wasn't good enough. He smiled at me from behind his desk. They stopped me from being free. I should have stayed a bit longer and trusted myself, I should have. Benitez did far more. Joshua Askew -. Liverpool have announced manager Rafael Benitez has left the club by mutual consent after six years in charge. Still remember seeing him pull what appeared to be a tooth out of his mouth after colliding with a goalpost. After that I did another interview and said that I have to be my first critic. Commenting on Benitez's touchline instructions, he said: "On the pitch, often I can see whats best. Rafael Benitez is set to be appointed as Everton's new manager next week after the former Liverpool boss agreed key aspects of his contract with the club. Who are you going to buy with pace? 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 left the club in June 2019 and the following month was appointed manager of Chinese Super League club Dalian Professional. Benitez went to Real Madrid instead and Rodgers limped on until Klopp, who had long since been identified as the perfect successor, made it clear he was ready to cut short his sabbatical.. 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. Which Liverpool player do you wish Rafa Benitez had never sold? It was a really emotional moment for me. During the 199697 season, Bentez took charge at Osasuna in the Segunda Divisin, but after only nine games and one win, he was dismissed. For the second consecutive season, he was named UEFA Manager of the Year. [ VIDEO: PST unfiltered - EURO 2020 impressions; Sancho to Man United? ] [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. What if Pepe gets injured next week? Join our group for FREE by clicking here! 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. "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. I was in touch with Meier regularly and he told me Benitez wouldnt speak to him, but was saying Klns offer was unacceptable. "I believe in these situations it is better to talk about it and try to fix it, or at least make sure everyone knows where they stand. This time, Pepe Reina saved three penalties during the shoot-out to secure the silverware. ago. 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. Now in charge at Everton, Lucas Digne could be the latest player to not get a second chance with Benitez after the France international defender found himself dropped in recent weeks following a reported falling out between the pair. [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. Yet he would return to Spurs just seven months later, and at an 8m loss, having quickly fallen out of favour under Benitez. He won his first league game in charge, beating Southampton 31. I said: 'You need me now and I will always do my best. I scored against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-final. [25] Bentez swiftly issued a statement through the club's website re-affirming his desire to remain with Liverpool for the long term. It was a normal Craig Bellamy picture in a newspaper! He would later rue how Mauricio Pellegrino was brought in as his replacement. 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. If its the way I play or the way I am, fine. Hardly the sort of character you can see embracing the Spaniards totalitarian style. As a right winger/midfielder, Steven Gerrard had the most productive seasons trophy-wise, claiming a Champions League title, and an FA Cup. Geplaatst op 3 juli 2022 door "I was disappointed and that is all. 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 . Bentez said that he had jokingly signalled to Alonso to ignore his instructions and not that he thought the game was effectively over. [131] In his 2013 autobiography, Ferguson said that "Benitez bought badly and made the feud personal". [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. He moved away from Real Madrid in 1995, but management spells at Real Valladolid and Osasuna were short-lived and unsuccessful. 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. Im not a defensive midfielder. However, Club Director Javier Subirats recognised the potential of Bentez and campaigned for his appointment. Usain Bolt? In his second interview he said: "I do not want to make trouble with the manager. START DATES 2021-22 FA Community Shield Besides, people are treating me as if I don't exist any more. 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. [126] With his sacking, Benitez became the fifth Everton manager to lose his job in the previous six years. There are also easier fixtures than playing away against Wolves (with a rotated side) and Brighton as well as facing Chelsea at Anfield, as Liverpool has had to do recently. He was unable to avoid relegation, but earned promotion back to the Premier League the following year, winning the Championship. Real later played Cdiz in the Copa del Rey round of 32, winning away 31 in the first leg. Looking back, I do appreciate honesty from managers. Rafael Bentez Maudes (born 16 April 1960) is a Spanish professional football manager and former player who most recently managed Premier League club Everton. [8], Bentez subsequently quit Extremadura and took a year off from football to study in England and Italy. Other semi final Wolves V Southampton. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. "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. [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. Therefore, I'm happy to give you some advice for emulating his Liverpool 4-2-3-1 tactic. Yet, the Spaniard is not a monster. He tried to destroy my confidence. 8m ESPN. He could never let me do my thing. 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. [144], Bentez instigated a host of backroom changes at the end of the 200809 season to improve the club's youth development, including the appointment of club legend Kenny Dalglish in a senior role at the academy. They wanted to take me on loan for six months, for which Liverpool would get 800,000, then complete a permanent 3m transfer in the summer if they avoided relegation. At the start of the 198687 season, he was appointed coach of Castilla B. "He thinks he's in charge and everything else falls on deaf ears. Considering Liverpool were working on a limited budget when Benitez first took over as manager in the summer of 2004, its inevitable that he would have to force some players out to help raise funds for his own signings. I had played for five years at Anfield and then never got a game when Benitez arrived, apart from three in the Carling Cup. Upon his arrival he had two very big personnel issues to tend to. The appointment is a controversial one, as Benitez spent six years at Anfield, winning the Champions League, FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup during his spell. Ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez linked with managerial return after Everton sacking. [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. Rafael Benitez has told Jurgen Klopp which team he should pick for Liverpool's huge Champions League clash against Real Madrid. I would go when everything was fine, catch a plane and show up there. 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. It was either his way or no way. We discuss a first half that was below par, and the goals we conceded, as well as Bukayo Saka's brilliant equaliser. It was not easy, my job is not a normal job and it was not just any game, but I never regretted it. I hated him at the time, but Ive lost that now. Surely I couldnt stay if I gave him a smack? Steven Gerrard has lifted the lid on his "frosty" relationship with former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez. Benitez spent six years as Liverpool manager, winning the Champions League in 2005 and reaching the final of the competition in 2007. The Spanish gaffer delved into some of the players. Goals from Casemiro and a deflection from Marcus Rashford put the Red Devils 2-0 up at half-time . And I remember thinking, oh my, this is going to be trouble, this is going to be difficult for me'. Scott played in the cups. 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. The thinking fan's Chelsea blog. A controversial early goal in the second leg from Luis Garca saw Liverpool win 10 on aggregate and reach the final against Milan.