Benitez, 50, replaced Gerard Houllier as Liverpool manager in June 2004 and. Bentez said that he had jokingly signalled to Alonso to ignore his instructions and not that he thought the game was effectively over. Rafa Benitez at the Run for the 96 5K in Stanley Park, Liverpool (Image: Liverpool Echo) But being a born winner is just one part of Benitez's multi-layered appeal. 8m ESPN. The manager understood my decision., Meanwhile, Benitez told his player: "When he is born, you call me and we decide. Rafa Benitez & Jamie Carragher on how Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005 Sky Sports Premier League 1.1M views 3 years ago Simon Jordan SLAMS Rafa Benitez for making out his. This is nonsense and it is a fabrication that I wanted to leave the stadium. In the red corner, Achraf Hakimi is a fight away from one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. I knew he wasnt the man for me, but because it was Liverpool I just had to sign.. Subscribe to the CV Academy. 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. [8], Bentez subsequently quit Extremadura and took a year off from football to study in England and Italy. I felt he was waiting for me to make a mistake so he could use it against me. He started to get up to go but I told him to wait for a second. The situation got worse afterwards. [57] His first league win as manager came on 11 September 2010, a 21 win against Udinese at the San Siro. "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. In March 1994, he became assistant manager to Vicente del Bosque with the senior Real Madrid team before returning to coach Real Madrid B for the 199495 season. 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. [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. I raised my voice. 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. In February 2007, he was caught up in a drunken fight with team-mate John Arne Riise. [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 thought: 'No matter how the manager is treating me, I'm showing the fans the club is in my heart.' [74][75] This was followed by a 00 draw at home to Fulham and a 31 loss to West Ham. 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. "Yet even now they are talking about signing another centre half.". The Reds play the Spanish champions on Tuesday in the round of 16 first-leg at Anfield. 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. [135], Bentez's preferred formation is a 4231 which he adopted during his time at Valencia and Liverpool. 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. 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. 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. On each occasion I had accepted the challenge and emerged victorious from it. For some reason it was important that I reach 350 matches and an exact average of fifty per season. It was a really emotional moment for me. Then the consequences of doing so flashed through my mind. Then he told him who were coming in for me Tottenham, Charlton and Everton. [88], In the Europa League final against Benfica on 15 May, Chelsea won 21. [15] He was unable, however, to convince Michael Owen to extend his contract; he was subsequently sold to Real Madrid. Even Ali looks a shadow of himself. The injury saw him sidelined for a year and hampered his chances of becoming a major player. 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. 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". [53] On 15 June 2010, Bentez was presented to the Italian media for the first time after signing a two-year deal. It says plenty about the dysfunction at the club that days later, Benitez has gone. [112] On 25 May 2016, it was confirmed that Bentez would remain as manager. 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. He knows what he wants and how to get it. The 61-year-old also won La Liga with Valencia and has collected trophies at Inter Milan, Napoli, and Newcastle United. He won a third league title with Real Madrid Youth B in 1990. increasingly disappointed. So I hadnt expected this. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. "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. [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. 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. Were going to buy another striker, he said. The 36-year-old joined the. You said youd help me. I knew I had to get away from Benitez. "In my head it's as if I've already left. But to this day I still think I should have stayed. That was why, when Pako Ayestarn (his assistant) went, they had a parting of the ways and things started to go downhill a bit.". "Honestly, Rafa was a nightmare like that. 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. Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia they won the Champions League that following season and he was justified.. 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. 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. 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. The left-backs standards had arguably slipped in his final two seasons with Liverpool as he fought with Fabio Aurelio for a starting role with only the Brazilians injury record ensuring he didnt retain the position permanently. In terms of team instructions I think you nailed it. He was different class, the amount of goals and assists that he got. The Israeli would depart Liverpool for Chelsea in a 5.5m deal in the summer of 2010 following Benitezs departure, though the move had been agreed with the Spaniards blessing before his exit. [8], In 2001, Bentez was appointed coach of Valencia, replacing Hctor Cper. "Once you reached that euphoria that satisfaction and happiness, you enjoy the moment and see everything around you, all the red with so many people with so much passion. I'm a total fan of his tactical methods, and have read a lot about it. He would later rue how Mauricio Pellegrino was brought in as his replacement. 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. Shortly after his departure from Anfield, Bentez made a 96,000 donation to the Hillsborough Family Support Group. 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"Youve got two sets of instructions in your mind and youre left wondering what to do. Again, it was another case of Benitez controversially deciding a players time at Liverpool were up, with reputation and price-tag making no difference to his decision. It was such a special, important moment that I took the decision that I needed to be there, Alonso explained. Former Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has sent the Magpies a heart-warming message on Twitter after their defeat in the Carabao cup final. Benitez came to Liverpool from the Spanish side Valencia on 16 June 2004 after the sacking of Gerard Houllier. [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. Rafa just didnt understand. [114], On 24 June 2019, Newcastle announced that Bentez would step down as Manager upon the expiration of his contract, and he departed the club on 30 June 2019. "When I went there (Liverpool) I was told myself and Torres (would start) and Stevie would drop into the midfield but obviously as it went on I think Rafa liked Stevie playing that no.10. [65][66][67][68] He was unveiled as the new Chelsea manager at a press conference on 22 November 2012. If I played well, I never felt he gave me credit. Bentez is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Italian. Then the focus is on a remarkable last . I need to play. My objective is to go to the World Cup and for this I have to play. [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. 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.. [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. [21] In doing so, Bentez became only the third manager in history (after Bob Paisley and Jos Mourinho) to win the UEFA Cup and UEFA Champions League in successive seasons, and the second Liverpool manager (after Joe Fagan) ever to win the UEFA Champions League/European Cup in his first season in charge. But an exchange with Benitez did leave the Frenchman rather bemused on his way out. But it was Liverpool Football Club. It was, in my opinion, a weird relationship (with Benitez) because when he signed me I looked at him as the big uncle who wanted to give me a chance and help me succeed," he told the Guardian. [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. They thought I was playing well but Benitez told me he was surprised the fans booed because I was not good enough. 134 appearances and 29 goals would seemingly demonstrate that. 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. 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. [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. He didnt know I spent my whole childhood dreaming of playing for Liverpool, he didnt know I had all those memories and feelings. I was so angry that the lads said later the aggression was pouring out of me. 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 certainly had no complaints about that. "Everyone asks me why I left Liverpool," he told the News of the World.. "There is only one reason - Rafa Benitez. I just tried to put the ball there and Ivanovic did the rest. In this episode we look back on the extraordinary 4-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. 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. Bentez was appointed coach of Valencia and won La Liga in the 200102 season. The euphoria of lifting the European Cup 15 years ago today is a feeling Rafael Benitez will never forget. I got more and more frustrated with him until transfer deadline day when I finally boiled over. 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. I agreed to join Chelsea before Roy Hodgson was appointed Liverpool's new manager. "No-one's shown me any respect and Rafael Bentez, since his arrival, has treated me as if I was the dumbest of the dumb. It was a normal Craig Bellamy picture in a newspaper! Ex Liverpool star suffers heart attack at age of just 36 He was dismissed in January 2022 after a run where Everton lost 9 out of 13 games. He won his first league game in charge, beating Southampton 31. Leaving for Celtic in January, he was not happy with how Benitez had treated him at all. On 3 June 2015, Bentez was confirmed as the new Real Madrid manager, signing a three-year contract. [31] It later emerged that Jrgen Klinsmann had been offered Bentez's job before eventually accepting the post of Bayern Munich manager. "[14], One of Bentez's first tasks at Liverpool was to convince club captain Steven Gerrard not to move to Chelsea. 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.