Take part in our Liverpool FC 'Keep or Sell' survey: While Murphy was moved on straight away, it was a different story for Stephane Henchoz. 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. Rafa Benitez has been in England working with Sky Sports and made clear that he would like to return to the Premier League after his last job with Everton.. "I am fine and happy in . [citation needed], Bentez was unable to win any trophies as Liverpool's domestic campaign falter in the winter months including a shock FA Cup exit at home to Barnsley, with his side losing to Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals. Surely I couldnt stay if I gave him a smack? 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. It was a permanent deal or nothing as far as he was concerned. 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. The players and the people at the top of the club knew how I felt. I had played for five years at Anfield and then never got a game when Benitez arrived, apart from three in the Carling Cup. Starting the following season strongly, his manager even called for him to be given an England call-up. 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 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. [12], On 16 June 2004, Bentez was appointed manager of Liverpool, replacing Grard Houllier, becoming the first Spaniard to manage in the Premier League. Admittedly I never really asked the manager, but he never said anything either, never said I wasn't good enough. I really need to play games to be prepared for the World Cup.. [ VIDEO: PST unfiltered - EURO 2020 impressions; Sancho to Man United? ] We were sitting in his office, just about to sign, and he showed me a picture of me shouting at a player! I spent six months with Liverpool hardly getting a game. "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 got more and more frustrated with him until transfer deadline day when I finally boiled over. Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia they won the Champions League that following season and he was justified.. He spoke a lot to us to change the intensity." Gary Neville vs Jamie Carragher is often the best part of Monday Night Football.. Maybe I will never swallow it. "[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. Arrested after drunkenly refusing to leave a bar on the same training camp that saw Bellamy assault Riise, he admitted in his autobiography that he once came close to hitting Benitez after the Spaniard blocked him from leaving the club for Koln despite his game-time being limited. 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. Kimberly Goldson is getting some long overdue attention from fashion magazines for bold looks that she showed at NYFW. He moved away from Real Madrid in 1995, but management spells at Real . Something went wrong, please try again later. 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.. [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. He also confirmed that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season. But after being sent off in a Champions League clash with Porto in September 2007 and suffering an injury against Besiktas, his fortunes turned and he fell down the pecking order after being unable to regain his place or recapture his earlier form. "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.". "I scored 19 goals and I never played! Fully fit again in time for Benitezs arrival, he featured throughout pre-season and even scored in a friendly vs Celtic. The Spanish gaffer delved into some of the players. In 2000, he was appointed manager of Tenerife of the Segunda Divisin and with a team that included Mista, Curro Torres and Luis Garca, he gained promotion to La Liga by finishing third in the league behind Sevilla and Real Betis. Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo scored the goals in the first half to hand Liverpool a much-needed victory. He then left Napoli and became coach of Real Madrid in June 2015 on an initial three-year contract. Benitez spent six years as Liverpool manager, winning the Champions League in 2005 and reaching the final of the competition in 2007. 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]. "I had to be with my partner. After leaving Valencia, Benitez moved to English club Liverpool of the Premier League, guiding the club to victory in the UEFA Champions League in 2005. Signed in an 8m from Espanyol in the summer of 2008, he featured regularly in his first season with the club as Liverpool fell narrowly short in the Premier League title-race. [93], On 27 May 2013, it was announced that Bentez had signed for Napoli, whose manager Walter Mazzarri had resigned. on July 16, 2010. The manager understood my decision., Meanwhile, Benitez told his player: "When he is born, you call me and we decide. It was a normal Craig Bellamy picture in a newspaper! Not only was he a brilliant coach but he is a very sharp, savvy businessman. I would go when everything was fine, catch a plane and show up there. ", "Sammy Lee back as Liverpool assistant coach", "Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez and chief exec Rick Parry call a truce", "Never Walk Alone? So I hadnt expected this. Joshua Askew -. While Premier League Team A vs Premier League Team B is meant to be the main attraction of the Sky Sports show . He didnt know I spent my whole childhood dreaming of playing for Liverpool, he didnt know I had all those memories and feelings. At the start of the 198687 season, he was appointed coach of Castilla B. [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. My objective is to go to the World Cup and for this I have to play. [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. [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. And when the fans wanted me to play, Benitez told me he couldn't understand why. The injury saw him sidelined for a year and hampered his chances of becoming a major player. I miss all that a little.". He also worked as a commentator/analyst for Eurosport, Marca, El Mundo and local Madrid TV. At one point, rumours of Bentez quitting or being dismissed became so great that bookmakers had to suspend betting on the subject. becky ending explained. Before that I played at Tottenham, free-flowing football, different managers. 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. It was a really emotional moment for me. After his success with the U19s, Bentez then succeeded Garca Remn at the start of the 199394 season. 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. "I would like to be here for the rest of my career, but players live to play. And I remember thinking, oh my, this is going to be trouble, this is going to be difficult for me'. The 36-year-old was signed by Rafa Benitez in the summer of 2005 from. He won a third league title with Real Madrid Youth B in 1990. Allardyce suggested that Bentez had signalled the game was over despite Liverpool only having a two-goal lead. The negotiations started. Usain Bolt? It was the same for me. Milan Baros finished Benitezs first season at Liverpool as the clubs top goalscorer. 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. I played all of last year, and sometimes if I did not play so well in one game, I would still play the next week. 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. Given Bellamys reputation, you can imagine these were not the only occasions when the duo failed to see eye to eye. Given his past, the manager was a controversial choice. 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. They stopped me from being free. Ryan Babel was just 20 when he joined Liverpool from Ajax in an 11.5m deal in the summer of 2007. I'm a total fan of his tactical methods, and have read a lot about it. I am still very upset. Yet he scored just one Premier League goal in the second half of the season and was sold to Aston Villa in. "Rafa is a top manager and he's proven that. Bentez speaking in 2020 on winning the 2005 Champions League Final. [31] It later emerged that Jrgen Klinsmann had been offered Bentez's job before eventually accepting the post of Bayern Munich manager. [18], In the Champions League, however, Liverpool fared differently. 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. 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. 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. See you on Wednesday.. I havent really thought about it, I said. [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. He told me I was a better player as a substitute instead of starting in the team. Bentez also quickly sold Josemi and Antonio Nez, two of his first signings in English football, after they failed to establish themselves, with the likes of Peter Crouch, Mohamed Sissoko, Daniel Agger as well as former Liverpool player Robbie Fowler being brought in to strengthen the side. It was suggested that Bentez's position was now under serious threat. Bentez played as a midfielder for both Real Madrid Aficionados in the Tercera Divisin and Castilla CF in the Segunda Divisin. [56] Bentez's first Serie A game in charge was on 31 August 2010 in a 00 draw away to Bologna in the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara. [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. End of story.". [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. Join our group for FREE by clicking here! Or when Bentez takes me off during a game even if I haven't used up all my energy on the pitch. [20] Bentez's calm, methodical approach at half time was said to give the players the belief they could pull off an improbable comeback and win Liverpool an historic fifth European Cup. 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. An infamous attack on Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the media led some pundits and opposition supporters to suggest Bentez was "cracking up" under the pressure of a title bid. Due to this unbeaten run, Benitez was nominated for the Manager of the Month award. [107][108] He suffered defeat in his first match in charge, losing 10 away to eventual champions Leicester City on 14 March. 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. ago. "I was never given a chance and that hurts. 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. Im not James Milner, who keeps it simple. Poor, but better than them. Subscribe to the CV Academy. I thought: 'No matter how the manager is treating me, I'm showing the fans the club is in my heart.' So (journalists) put some words in my mouth saying that the person who was responsible for me not being included in the Spain squad was Rafa. Which Liverpool player do you wish Rafa Benitez had never sold? [23], Bentez's signings helped the club's Premiership form improve considerably. Well talk in a moment, Jerzy. No, lets talk now. I said: 'You need me now and I will always do my best. I scored against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-final. [110], Newcastle ended the season with a six match unbeaten run, including a 51 final day win over third-place Tottenham Hotspur. But it was Liverpool Football Club. John Arne Riise was another player who had his future taken out of his own hands by Benitez, with the Spaniard telling the Norwegian it was time for him to move on. "I just thought, 'am I so bad that they want me to leave and they want him?'. Besides, people are treating me as if I don't exist any more. You said youd do everything to get a deal through. I was in touch with Meier regularly and he told me Benitez wouldnt speak to him, but was saying Klns offer was unacceptable. 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). 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. I was so angry that the lads said later the aggression was pouring out of 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. 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. [6], The first attempts by Bentez at senior management away from the Real Madrid fold were less than successful. Were going to buy another striker, he said. From the latest transfers and match reports to training ground gossip and the running of the game, bridgeviews.co.uk offers a different perspective. If they come back today to buy you, they need to double their offer as this is the last day of the transfer window.. 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. [146] Rosario is a big football fan and supported Real Madrid, while his father supported Atltico Madrid. [74][75] This was followed by a 00 draw at home to Fulham and a 31 loss to West Ham. [145], Bentez's father, Francisco, worked as a hotelier. Sign up here - it only takes a few seconds! You listen to his former team-mates and all say the Spaniards relationship with his compatriot completely broke down during his final season at Liverpool, before putting in a transfer request and leaving for Real Madrid in a 30m deal in the summer of 2009. After that I did another interview and said that I have to be my first critic. Yes, I would have if I were not present at the delivery. All I ever wanted to do is just to play football.". We played attacking football. Upon his arrival he had two very big personnel issues to tend to. [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. Steven Gerrard, who was linked with a big money move to Chelsea, needed to be convinced . "I'm not going to leave simply for the sake of leaving. An unused substitute in the Spaniards first two games against Grazer AK and Tottenham Hotspur, he rarely made a matchday squad appearance after. Plenty predicted that Benitez's name would be sung at Anfield more than Goodison and so it proved. Pennant simply wrote "GIRLS" in capital letters - and it was downhill for him from there. The. "With Rafa, it is all about himself. [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. [6], In 1986, at the age of 26, Bentez returned to Real Madrid to join the club's coaching staff. 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. "Everyone asks me why I left Liverpool," he told the News of the World.. "There is only one reason - Rafa Benitez. We have since done another (better) post on Rafa Benitez's Liverpool. 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 . [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. ", "Rafael Benitez's Istanbul memories | Tactics, Gerrard switch and trophy lift", "Motion expert says Garcia's shot did cross the line", "Top 20 sporting moments of the decade: Liverpool's 'Miracle of Istanbul', "Benitez Uncovered: Inside The Dressing Room On That Amazing Night In Istanbul", "Rafa's Boys: How Successful Was Benitez in the Transfer Market? 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. Bentez called me and said I wasnt in his plans, so it was better for me to find a (new) club. Liverpool FC today confirmed that Rafael Benitez is to leave the club by mutual consent. He moved away from Real Madrid in 1995, but management spells at Real Valladolid and Osasuna were short-lived and unsuccessful. I felt he was waiting for me to make a mistake so he could use it against me. I certainly had no complaints about that. [102][103] Real Madrid remained unbeaten in the league until a 32 loss at Sevilla in the 11th matchday. 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. But the media was not interested anymore. All of a sudden youre confused. He's never sorted out a situation with a player by talking with him. [147][146] Francisco died in December 2005 while Bentez was in Japan for the FIFA Club World Championship. Then the focus is on a remarkable last . It means that, suddenly, you mess up with a simple pass because your mind is all over the place. In November 2012, he was appointed interim manager of Chelsea for the remainder of the season and he won the 2013 Europa League. I just tried to put the ball there and Ivanovic did the rest. I just sat there, half in shock. [123], Under Benitez Everton enjoyed a winning streak across the Premier League and EFL Cup in their first four games. It was the club's 10th Premier League defeat of the season - and their ninth in their last 12 league matches - to leave . Key players missed much of the season through injury and Liverpool failed to challenge Chelsea and Arsenal for the league title, finishing fifth. He did, however, meet the fitness instructor Pako Ayestarn at the club, and went on to form a partnership with him at several clubs for the next decade. . And I would like to play there constantly.". Thank you for your three years of service, now you can call your agent to do a deal with another club.' They thought I was playing well but Benitez told me he was surprised the fans booed because I was not good enough. But the players he brought in werent bad, were they? [65][66][67][68] He was unveiled as the new Chelsea manager at a press conference on 22 November 2012. [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. [120], Bentez was appointed manager of Premier League club Everton on a three-year contract on 30 June 2021, replacing Carlo Ancelotti who left to join Real Madrid. 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. [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. [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. [82] They subsequently lost 10 at home to 20th-placed Queens Park Rangers[83] in the Premier League and were knocked out of the League Cup semi-finals by underdogs Swansea City 20 on aggregate. Its like telling (Lionel) Messi you need technique. Rafa Benitez promised me a certain development, but very quickly he took away that promise and it was a totally different situation. On 3 June 2015, Bentez was confirmed as the new Real Madrid manager, signing a three-year contract. "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. "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. As a right winger/midfielder, Steven Gerrard had the most productive seasons trophy-wise, claiming a Champions League title, and an FA Cup. "On a psychological level, it was very hard because I restrained myself a lot. He was unable to avoid relegation, but earned promotion back to the Premier League the following year, winning the Championship. Bentez was appointed as manager of Newcastle United in March 2016 in an attempt to save the club from relegation. May is a special month for. Classy timing'.". 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But after falling out of favour in his second season, he was fined, suspended, banished from Melwood and transfer-listed after slamming his manager in two different interviews with Spanish radio, and after allegedly assaulting a young team-mate in training. 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. [60] Despite criticism, Bentez guided Inter to win the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2010. It was just a case of his manager no longer wanting him in his squad, with the defender going on to sign for Roma in 4m deal. LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton is challenged by Tomas Soucek of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 17, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Yet despite his exit, Riise does hold Benitez in the highest of regards. I thought I would be staying for a lot longer.". [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. "He thinks he's in charge and everything else falls on deaf ears. 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.