Liverpool have announced manager Rafael Benitez has left the club by mutual consent after six years in charge. Further injury problems saw him miss almost the entire 198586 season and he subsequently retired as a player. Despite this, poor results in the Champions League and a disagreement over future transfers lead to a public falling-out with the club's owners, which played out in the media at the end of November. [7], During the 199293 season, Bentez also worked as an assistant coach to Mariano Garca Remn at Real Madrid B. I have a normal relationship with Rafa. [93], On 27 May 2013, it was announced that Bentez had signed for Napoli, whose manager Walter Mazzarri had resigned. This instruction was ignored, which resulted in a goal. Bentez was appointed as manager of Newcastle United in March 2016 in an attempt to save the club from relegation. Subscribe to the CV Academy. The players and the people at the top of the club knew how I felt. Benitez swapped Liverpool for Inter Milan in 2010 and last coached in the Premier League at Newcastle before joining Chinese side Dalian Professional in 2019, leaving that role in January. He told me I was a better player as a substitute instead of starting in the team. The young Dutchman enjoyed an impressive first season at Anfield under Benitez, but would later find himself often out of favour under the Spaniard as his starting opportunities in the following years. 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. I am still very upset. 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. In this episode we look back on the extraordinary 4-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. 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. Xabi Alonsos relationship with Benitez is a curious one. Bentez speaking in 2020 on winning the 2005 Champions League Final. See you on Wednesday.. [55] On 27 August 2010 in Monaco, Inter lost to Atltico Madrid in the 2010 UEFA Super Cup. [135], Bentez's preferred formation is a 4231 which he adopted during his time at Valencia and Liverpool. Liverpool paid 20m when signing Robbie Keane from Tottenham Hotspur in July 2009. Leaving for Celtic in January, he was not happy with how Benitez had treated him at all. [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. This was followed by a 40 home loss in the first Clsico of the season against Barcelona. His final match was a 42 defeat to Lazio, who took the final place in the Champions League at Napoli's expense.[101]. You can't treat a player like this and expect him to be happy. It was another short-lived appointment and on 4 January 2016, he was dismissed following a 22 draw against his former club, Valencia. So I asked who he was going to sign. I dont think people in England ever saw the best of me. [90] Defender David Luiz credited Bentez with making critical changes at half time, saying, "He changed some of our positions in the second half. Poor, but better than them. Carl Lewis? [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. Bentez's tactics were credited as a key factor in Liverpool reaching, and winning, the final, despite a relatively unimpressive squad of players. Youve got some instructions and tactics in your mind and yet hes shouting even more at you. 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. Real later played Cdiz in the Copa del Rey round of 32, winning away 31 in the first leg. That is something I can never forget. The Spanish gaffer delved into some of the players. 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. - Heart stops when I see the draw for the semi finals of the league and we drew Cardiff. He then left Napoli and became coach of Real Madrid in June 2015 on an initial three-year contract. 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. The. I was so angry that the lads said later the aggression was pouring out of me. It was either his way or no way. The. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. 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. 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. Or when Bentez takes me off during a game even if I haven't used up all my energy on the pitch. Rafa Benitez was sacked as Everton manager on Sunday after a 2-1 loss at Norwich City. Milan Baros finished Benitez's first season at Liverpool as the club's top goalscorer. I dont think I ever really played more than three games in a row. [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. 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. Rafa Benitez promised me a certain development, but very quickly he took away that promise and it was a totally different situation. [138] His calm demeanour and tactical changes at half time of the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final were said to give players belief they could battle back from 30 down, although he had to correct his plans when it was pointed out to him his new formation would require 12 players on the pitch. . The centre-back had been first-choice under Houllier, forming a brilliant partnership alongside Sami Hyypia, and its no coincidence that Liverpools form under the Frenchman faltered when the Switzerland international endured prolonged periods on the sidelines through injury. Olivia Shears and Katie Whyatt were highly commended in an historic one-two-three: it was the first time in the competition's history [] [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. [107][108] He suffered defeat in his first match in charge, losing 10 away to eventual champions Leicester City on 14 March. GAMEWEEK 7 - DISCUSSION, RANT & INFO THREAD. "I'll only leave if I go as a free agent. After everything the coach has put me through, I'm not going to give him that parting gift (of a fee). I really need to play games to be prepared for the World Cup.. Just tell me. At half-time of the Champions League final, Benitez's Reds were 3-0 . [36] Striker Keane was later re-sold back to Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window, with some analysts claiming he was a "pawn in a power struggle" between Bentez and the club's owners. I am delighted to play for Liverpool and if I was playing, I would love to stay, because it is a brilliant place to play football. "I'm the king of the exiles here so, as far as I'm concerned, it's finished for me at Liverpool," he said. The title challenge, however, fizzled out early in the season, with Liverpool's poor form away from Anfield leading to speculation Bentez's tenure at Liverpool was short-lived, with his agent quoted as saying Bentez would consider offers to manage in Italy. 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. It was a bit frustrating not playing Inter, but I had to be with my family at the time, he said. "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. He said, "I was hoping for a sofa [a defender] and they've brought me a lamp [Fabin Canobbio]," in reference to the positions he wanted to be strengthened. Commenting on Benitez's touchline instructions, he said: "On the pitch, often I can see whats best. 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. Three months later he would do the exact same against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals, gifting the Londoners what would prove to be a decisive 90th minute away goal. [13] On his arrival he stated: "It is like a dream to be here. The club had previously approached Javier Irureta, Man and Luis Aragons and had been turned down by all three. When Craig Dawson is the best defender - possibly player - over 45 minutes, it sums up our issues. Or would it just lead to a massive media scandal? 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. I had great contracts on the table, and choices of managers who really wanted me and that made me feel good. [citation needed], Bentez has also had confrontations with Sam Allardyce when he was manager of Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers. Former Liverpool player and Chile international Mark Gonzalez has suffered from a heart attack and is currently in hospital recovering, as confirmed by his wife. [81] Chelsea progressed to the League Cup semi-finals with a 51 win over Leeds United at Elland Road and then recorded an 80 win over Aston Villa, equalling their record top-flight victory. Liverpool finished. He was appointed manager of Real Valladolid for the 199596 season, but was dismissed after only two wins in 23 games with the club bottom of La Liga. 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. You said youd do everything to get a deal through. His dialogue with the players is practically nil. Loved the details Riise gave of the Bellamy fiasco; that when he showed up the day after (to basics fight Bellamy), Agger went with him and had his back. 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. All I ever wanted to do is just to play football.". The Spaniard is expected to sign his. "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. [29], Bentez's spending was, eventually, significant, breaking Liverpool's transfer record when signing Spanish striker Fernando Torres from Atltico Madrid as well as signing Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun, Lucas Leiva and Andriy Voronin. The Reds moved to six points adrift of fourth place after a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United. With all info about the gameweek - lineups, bonus, and . It was up and down but at the same time I had a great experience there. I couldn't say at the time, but I knew this was my last season at Liverpool and I wanted a special end. I looked at him. Yet he would return to Spurs just seven months later, and at an 8m loss, having quickly fallen out of favour under Benitez. 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. Liverpool fans knew that 'Agent Rafa' would not be there more than a season, and so it has proven. Benitez tried to break me like he broke Riera. 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 some ways, it is a surprise that Benitez lasted this long. 1. wesap12345 3 mo. Who are you going to buy with pace? I havent played all season. 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. "All players want to play in such great matches and I had been playing regularly before the Carling Cup final. [78] This was followed by a 31 away victory to Sunderland, with Bentez presiding over his first league win as Chelsea manager. Join our group for FREE by clicking here! [65][66][67][68] He was unveiled as the new Chelsea manager at a press conference on 22 November 2012. "Stevie was unbelievable playing that 10. [147][146] Francisco died in December 2005 while Bentez was in Japan for the FIFA Club World Championship. "I have not said I am going to leave Liverpool. Don't sign. [57] His first league win as manager came on 11 September 2010, a 21 win against Udinese at the San Siro. 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. If you want to stay, theres not much point, I know you like playing and youre better off going. The Czech Republic international had had suspicions that he wasnt part of Benitezs long-term plans, and reports at the time suggested he had threatened to walk out of the team hotel after finding out he had been benched for the 2005 League Cup final. [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. Rafa Benitez has praised Liverpool teenager Stefan Bajcetic ahead of tonight's Champions League first leg clash with Real Madrid. [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. Keep up to date with the latest breaking news, transfer gossip and everything LFC with thousands of Reds! [111] However, the team was relegated to the Championship due to rivals Sunderland claiming 12 points from their final six fixtures. 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. [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. "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.''. [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. 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. 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. Rafa Benitez has given his verdict on Liverpool's chances of finishing in the Premier League's top four. [104] Meanwhile, Real topped their UEFA Champions League group with 16 points. I've got two or three possibilities already and things are starting to move behind the scenes.". Rafa Benitez's team lost 1-0 on both occasions to a Spurs XI each time . [18], In the Champions League, however, Liverpool fared differently. By the way, we won 0-1 with a goal from Torres.. The injury saw him sidelined for a year and hampered his chances of becoming a major player. [132] In a match in April 2009 when Allardyce was manager of Blackburn, he accused Bentez of arrogance over a gesture he made when Fernando Torres scored Liverpool's second goal. 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Re: Half time: Liverpool 0-0 Wolves. But to this day I still think I should have stayed. After so many years, thats something wonderful that stays in your memory forever". However, Club Director Javier Subirats recognised the potential of Bentez and campaigned for his appointment. He never treated me with the respect I deserved. Hardly the sort of character you can see embracing the Spaniards totalitarian style. But, with Rafa, the training was so boring that youd come in and all youd want to do was slit your wrists! Writing in his autobiography, he described the Spaniard as the "most difficult" manager he played for, criticising him over his lack of man-management skills, claiming he only ever had one proper conversation with him. 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. Mauricio Pochettino 'SACKED by PSG after agreeing to terminate contract' just months after Ligue 1 triumph,MAURICIO POCHETTINO has reportedly been sacked by Paris Saint-Germain after he reached a severance agreement with the club. "I just thought, 'am I so bad that they want me to leave and they want him?'. Even Ali looks a shadow of himself. This is a player who had spent time in prison and played in the Premier League wearing an electronic tag after all. on July 16, 2010. I have no problem talking to people. On two occasions early last season, against Fulham and Lyon, the fans booed when I was subbed. "Apart from that, I loved everything at Liverpool - the players, the people, the fans, everything was great. You said youd help me. However, time heals all wounds and Cisse was a lot more positive about Benitez when speaking exclusively to the ECHO back in February this year. Youre a big name, you can play anywhere at all. But with Rafa, it was constant directions. Despite this win, Chelsea failed to progress beyond the group stage of the competition. 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 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. 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. 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. ", "Why Liverpool's Rafa Benitez is a master tactician", "Jamie Carragher: What really happened at half-time in Istanbul", "Rafa Benitez is the man behind Steven Gerrard's 100", "The cult of permanent rotation blights Bentez's bid for title", "Liverpool's demise against Chelsea the fault of Rafael Benitez's zonal marking", "RT Sport: Benitez stands by zonal marking", "Atltico fans ensure home is where the hatred is for Bentez", "Benitez to stay with Liverpool despite loss of father", "Montserrat Seara: "En nuestra primera cita Rafa me explic el 4-4-2", "Juventus seeking to prise Rafael Bentez away from Liverpool", "Rafa Benitez learned English listening to The Beatles and reveals man who inspired him to be manager", "Rafael Benitez replaces Roberto Di Matteo as Chelsea manager", "AD Parla: el tesoro que esconde Los Prados, el estadio en el que Rafa Bentez deslumbr como futbolista", "Rafael Benitez named Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month", Complete management career stats at Liverpool-kop.com, Rafael Bentez management career statistics, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rafael_Bentez&oldid=1140350114, *Club domestic league appearances and goals, This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 18:18. [127], Bentez has had confrontations with both Jos Mourinho (Chelsea manager from 2004 to 2007) and Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson during his time in English football. "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.". Former Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has sent the Magpies a heart-warming message on Twitter after their defeat in the Carabao cup final. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. [ VIDEO: PST unfiltered - EURO 2020 impressions; Sancho to Man United? ] Perhaps the most obvious name on this list. That was why, when Pako Ayestarn (his assistant) went, they had a parting of the ways and things started to go downhill a bit.". Imagine the pressure Id be under if that happened, Why should I care? 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. Halfway through the 199091 season he succeeded Jos Antonio Camacho as the coach of Real Madrid's under-19 team. It means that, suddenly, you mess up with a simple pass because your mind is all over the place. On 3 June 2015, Bentez was confirmed as the new Real Madrid manager, signing a three-year contract. START DATES 2021-22 FA Community Shield Due to this unbeaten run, Benitez was nominated for the Manager of the Month award. I hadnt got on. The Reds play the Spanish champions on Tuesday in the round of 16 first-leg at Anfield. The 61-year-old also won La Liga with Valencia and has collected trophies at Inter Milan, Napoli, and Newcastle United. You'll also get the latest transfer talk and analysis every day for FREE! "[14], One of Bentez's first tasks at Liverpool was to convince club captain Steven Gerrard not to move to Chelsea. 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". "[27] Bentez did not reciprocate his owner's kind words, demanding his club's new owners had to back him in the transfer market in order for Liverpool to progress following his side's 21 loss to Milan in the final. His reign at the club was a short one and he was dismissed midway through the 201011 season. Bajcetic has been one of the few positives for the Reds throughout a disappointing season and looks set for the biggest game of his career tonight. I tried to convince him to change his mind: What have you got to lose? In February 2007, he was caught up in a drunken fight with team-mate John Arne Riise. I repeat, if they come back in today they must pay double., I felt he was treating me unfairly, but thats how Rafa operated. 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. Katie Smith, who is studying at Leeds University, was crowned as the 2017 winner of the David Welch Student Sportswriter of the Year at the Sports Journalists Association awards in London on Monday night. A stalwart under Gerard Houllier, Murphy never really had a falling out with the Spaniard as such. But once Benitez had decided to sacrifice Alonso to bring in Barry, the writing was on the wall. 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 . Ultimately you have to trust the players once they cross the white line. [79], At the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2012, Chelsea defeated Monterrey 31 to reach the final,[80] where they were beaten 10 by Brazilian side Corinthians. Bentez, however, did reach his first English domestic cup final, losing the League Cup final against Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium 32 after extra time.[17]. Well help you find another club if you like., Can I play the last matches? was all I could say. infiniti qx80 indicator lights. The amount of time in training that wed do shape, tactics and nothing else! Rafa came to sit next to me, he recalled in his 2013 autobiography. At one point, rumours of Bentez quitting or being dismissed became so great that bookmakers had to suspend betting on the subject. Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has named the two players that influenced Steven Gerrard the most in his time at the club. An unused substitute in the Spaniards first two games against Grazer AK and Tottenham Hotspur, he rarely made a matchday squad appearance after. Rafael Bentez Maudes (born 16 April 1960) is a Spanish professional football manager and former player who most recently managed Premier League club Everton. increasingly disappointed. [24][140], Bentez is a firm believer in squad rotation and zonal marking. "It was for the Champions League quarter-final squad against Inter," Alonso said. With this team, he won two league titles in 1987 and 1989. "We were going into labour, and I told Rafa that I could not go. "In my head it's as if I've already left. [98][99] They lost 42 on aggregate to Athletic Bilbao in the qualifying stages, thus entering the Europa League.
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