The season also saw Bentez make his debut in the Champions League, where his side reached the quarter-finals, losing to Inter Milan. From the latest transfers and match reports to training ground gossip and the running of the game, bridgeviews.co.uk offers a different perspective. Hardly the sort of character you can see embracing the Spaniards totalitarian style. The former Reds captain says in his new autobiography that tactically the Spaniard was . "It was such a bad season for me. "[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. I learnt a lot. 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 . That was why, when Pako Ayestarn (his assistant) went, they had a parting of the ways and things started to go downhill a bit.". He was highly regarded for his tactical acumen[136][137] particularly in European ties, setting his team up to exploit opposition weaknesses. 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. ". Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo scored the goals in the first half to hand Liverpool a much-needed victory. I raised my voice. Rafael Benitez has told Jurgen Klopp which team he should pick for Liverpool's huge Champions League clash against Real Madrid. This was followed by a 40 home loss in the first Clsico of the season against Barcelona. Being told youre no longer wanted at Liverpool by Rafa that was a tough one, he told TalkSPORT. In the red corner, Achraf Hakimi is a fight away from one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. And it appears that such a deterioration stemmed from the midfielder missing the Reds trip to the San Siro to face Inter Milan in March 2008 to be present for the birth of his child, with Benitez trying to sell Alonso the following summer to help fund a move for Gareth Barry. The injury saw him sidelined for a year and hampered his chances of becoming a major player. 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. [94] Bentez agreed a two-year contract after meeting club president Aurelio De Laurentiis in London. I need to play. But his constant instructions really restricted me. I looked at him. 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. [57] His first league win as manager came on 11 September 2010, a 21 win against Udinese at the San Siro. 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.". "There are many examples of him treating me badly. If you want to stay, theres not much point, I know you like playing and youre better off going. He also played a further three games for the Spain Universities XI. "Honestly, Rafa was a nightmare like that. [111] However, the team was relegated to the Championship due to rivals Sunderland claiming 12 points from their final six fixtures. [97] Napoli finished third in Serie A in 201314 to qualify for the next season's Champions League. 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. At one point, rumours of Bentez quitting or being dismissed became so great that bookmakers had to suspend betting on the subject. In the next game, a 00 draw against Canada, he was injured in a hard tackle. 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. 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. Other semi final Wolves V Southampton. Yet, the Spaniard is not a monster. By Will Rooney. "I was never given a chance and that hurts. "I will remember Liverpool fondly as a success but not the situation I've found myself in. But once Benitez had decided to sacrifice Alonso to bring in Barry, the writing was on the wall. [88], In the Europa League final against Benfica on 15 May, Chelsea won 21. 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. [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. In November 2012, he was appointed interim manager of Chelsea for the remainder of the season and he won the 2013 Europa League. For some reason it was important that I reach 350 matches and an exact average of fifty per season. Liverpool fans will surely be fascinated to hear Rafa Benitez reminisce about his time in charge of the Reds on the club's official podcast. In 1981, Bentez joined Tercera Divisin side Parla. See you on Wednesday.. 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. After defeating Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus with the aid of some bold team selections by Bentez, Liverpool faced Chelsea in the semi-final. Rafa Benitez believes Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium could be key to who wins their Champions League clash with Liverpool. [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. Enjoy it. 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. 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. [76][77] On 5 December 2012, Bentez recorded his first win as Chelsea manager, a 61 victory at home to Nordsjlland in the Champions League. [65][66][67][68] He was unveiled as the new Chelsea manager at a press conference on 22 November 2012. Yes, I would have if I were not present at the delivery. The long-serving Danny Murphy was one such player. 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. [104] Meanwhile, Real topped their UEFA Champions League group with 16 points. Rafael Benitez's last interview as Everton boss. I thought I would be staying for a lot longer.". Milan Baros finished Benitezs first season at Liverpool as the clubs top goalscorer. The man management was down to his staff. I spent six months with Liverpool hardly getting a game. Milan Baros finished Benitez's first season at Liverpool as the club's top goalscorer. [110], Newcastle ended the season with a six match unbeaten run, including a 51 final day win over third-place Tottenham Hotspur. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. In truth, he didnt have time to as Benitez made it clear early on that he had no future at the club. I just tried to put the ball there and Ivanovic did the rest. . I felt he was waiting for me to make a mistake so he could use it against me. 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. Perhaps the most obvious name on this list. This is what hurts me. The win secured a top-four Premiership finish and with it a place in the following season's Champions League. [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 with Rafa, it was constant directions. With this team, he won two league titles in 1987 and 1989. An FA Cup winner the following year, Cisse did feature fairly regularly in 2005/06 but often found himself utilised out of position or as a substitute. In the years since leaving Liverpool, Keane has never criticised Benitez for selling the striker but believes the Spaniard was simply the wrong manager for him at the wrong time in his career. 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. But I want Liverpool fans to know the truth and for them to know I made up my mind to leave a long time ago because of Benitez. Such a revelation damaged Bentez's relations with the Americans, with constant rumours linking the Spaniard with a move back to Real Madrid. After everything the coach has put me through, I'm not going to give him that parting gift (of a fee). [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. "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.". [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. But it was Liverpool Football Club. Benitez, 50, replaced Gerard Houllier as Liverpool manager in June 2004 and. The Spaniard is expected to sign his. 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. In this episode we look back on the extraordinary 4-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. [15] He was unable, however, to convince Michael Owen to extend his contract; he was subsequently sold to Real Madrid. But the players he brought in werent bad, were they? I felt so unhappy but, out of respect to the club, I never spoke out. "We have not had any talk about why it is. The 36-year-old joined the. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. I have a normal relationship with Rafa. I've certainly never said a bad word about him as a manager, I thought he was top, Keane told The Football Show on Sky Sports last year. It was a really emotional moment for me. The. Rafa Benitez has given his verdict on Liverpool's chances of finishing in the Premier League's top four. 134 appearances and 29 goals would seemingly demonstrate that. They are just choosing to spend it more cautiously. My objective is to go to the World Cup and for this I have to play. 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. The euphoria of lifting the European Cup 15 years ago today is a feeling Rafael Benitez will never forget. Rafa Benitez promised me a certain development, but very quickly he took away that promise and it was a totally different situation. [6], In 1986, at the age of 26, Bentez returned to Real Madrid to join the club's coaching staff. It was a permanent deal or nothing as far as he was concerned. [18], In the Champions League, however, Liverpool fared differently. I hated him at the time, but Ive lost that now. It was the same for me. He moved away from Real Madrid in 1995, but management spells at Real Valladolid and Osasuna were short-lived and unsuccessful. Classy timing'.". I have no problem talking to people. It was a privilege for me to play for such a great club in front of great fans. Allardyce suggested that Bentez had signalled the game was over despite Liverpool only having a two-goal lead. But this season I have not played at all. This instruction was ignored, which resulted in a goal. However, like in Murphys case with Alonso and Garcia, Benitez could again claim to have made the right call as his decision to sideline Henchoz ultimately came hand-in-hand with the inspired switch to move Jamie Carragher back to centre-back, with the Liverpool legends own partnership with Hyypia usurping Houlliers previous duo. Join our group for FREE by clicking here! You didnt mean it., I cannot let you go on loan. Thank you for your three years of service, now you can call your agent to do a deal with another club.' [43] Bentez's decision to sell Alonso and replace him in the side with Lucas Leiva, in addition to Aquilani having arrived at the club injured, was called into question as Liverpool's title campaign began with two defeats in the first three games. 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. Which Liverpool player do you wish Rafa Benitez had never sold? About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. "Rafa is a top manager and he's proven that. Bentez's tactics were credited as a key factor in Liverpool reaching, and winning, the final, despite a relatively unimpressive squad of players. He won the Spain Under 19s Cup in 1991 and 1993, defeating Barcelona in both finals. ", "Sammy Lee back as Liverpool assistant coach", "Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez and chief exec Rick Parry call a truce", "Never Walk Alone? "I keep a fantastic memory of England, even if I still hold a grudge on the coach," he told L'Equipe Magazine. Carl Lewis? Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) 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. I have some offers. Topics the dayTopicsThe Best winnersInflation Relief Checks liveF1 Bahrain TVNBA scheduleChampions League schedulesNBANFLNFL ScoresNFL ScheduleLaLiga StandingsLaLiga ScoresPremier League StandingsPremier League SchedulePremier League ScoresEuropa League ScheduleEuropa League ScoresSerie ScoresPowerball numbers todayMega Millions numbers todayWBC teams schedule2023. on July 16, 2010. [147][146] Francisco died in December 2005 while Bentez was in Japan for the FIFA Club World Championship. This is a player who had spent time in prison and played in the Premier League wearing an electronic tag after all. [13] On his arrival he stated: "It is like a dream to be here. 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. During the 199697 season, Bentez took charge at Osasuna in the Segunda Divisin, but after only nine games and one win, he was dismissed. 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. [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. [74][75] This was followed by a 00 draw at home to Fulham and a 31 loss to West Ham. 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. He started to get up to go but I told him to wait for a second. You said youd help me. [107][108] He suffered defeat in his first match in charge, losing 10 away to eventual champions Leicester City on 14 March. Let us know in the comments section below Albert Rieras falling out with Benitez is pretty cut and dry. Usain Bolt? I just sat there, half in shock. 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 left the club, and coached Tenerife in 2000, winning promotion in his only season. Joshua Askew -. 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. Despite the lack of silverware, the main talking points were off the pitch, with Bentez in the middle of a power struggle with the Liverpool board. I havent really thought about it, I said. 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. That exchange took place just days into his Liverpool career and involved Benitez asking him to write down his misdemeanours and faults. He did start the home leg defeat against Graz, reinstated next to Hyypia as he made his first appearance of the season in the process, but after that his final three appearances for the club all came with the kids and reserves in the League Cup. 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]. It was not easy, my job is not a normal job and it was not just any game, but I never regretted it. "I'm the king of the exiles here so, as far as I'm concerned, it's finished for me at Liverpool," he said. 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. The Frenchman spent the 2006/07 on loan at Marseille, with Cisse joining the club permanently in a 6m deal in July 2007. In his second interview he said: "I do not want to make trouble with the manager. [54] [37] This off-field turmoil was in contrast to Liverpool's impressive start to the 200809 season in the Premier League, including Bentez' first ever league win against Manchester United at Anfield on 13 September and ending Chelsea's 86 match unbeaten run in the league at Stamford Bridge. If they come back today to buy you, they need to double their offer as this is the last day of the transfer window.. [8], Bentez subsequently quit Extremadura and took a year off from football to study in England and Italy. [6], The first attempts by Bentez at senior management away from the Real Madrid fold were less than successful. 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. [78] This was followed by a 31 away victory to Sunderland, with Bentez presiding over his first league win as Chelsea manager. You can't treat a player like this and expect him to be happy. [84], On 27 February 2013, following a 20 win at Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fifth-round, Bentez heavily criticised the Chelsea board for giving him the title of "interim manager" and the Chelsea fans for their protests against him. It was funny. [42] Alonso was immediately replaced in the squad by Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani, signed from Roma for 17million, who was recovering from a long-term injury. 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. Just tell me. With all info about the gameweek - lineups, bonus, and . On each occasion I had accepted the challenge and emerged victorious from it. 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. All of a sudden youre confused. Former Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has sent the Magpies a heart-warming message on Twitter after their defeat in the Carabao cup final. You could benefit from new challenges and weve bought a new left-back that we intend to rely on Liverpool had purchased Andrea Dossena from Udinese for 7million, but that kind of thing had happened before. Olivia Shears and Katie Whyatt were highly commended in an historic one-two-three: it was the first time in the competition's history [] "I would like to be here for the rest of my career, but players live to play. [98][99] They lost 42 on aggregate to Athletic Bilbao in the qualifying stages, thus entering the Europa League. "It was for the Champions League quarter-final squad against Inter," Alonso said. [62][63] On 23 December 2010, just five days after bringing Inter to the triumph, Bentez was dismissed by Inter. And he still lives in Liverpool. [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. 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). In 1993, the team completed a double when they also won the national under-19 league. He could never let me do my thing. Rafael Benitez might have been sacked by Premier League club Everton, but the red half of Merseyside still remembers him fondly. [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. 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. Former Liverpool star Mark Gonzalez is recovering in hospital after suffering a heart attack, his wife has confirmed. An unused substitute in the Spaniards first two games against Grazer AK and Tottenham Hotspur, he rarely made a matchday squad appearance after. Liverpool fans knew that 'Agent Rafa' would not be there more than a season, and so it has proven. What if Pepe gets injured next week? I was sure he wanted me to attack him in the press during the season so he could turn the fans against me, so I kept quiet. [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. [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. The French hit-man was booked for pulling his shirt over . [93], On 27 May 2013, it was announced that Bentez had signed for Napoli, whose manager Walter Mazzarri had resigned.