Rafael Benitez

[Dom2]

Great post, almost makes me feel bad for having a dig at Liverpool over the years. I see you mentioned Carragher as one of those big time charlies who didn't take to Rafa and it shows. I was wondering why he had such a cold attitude to his appointment at Newcastle when he was asked what he would bring as a manager to Newcastle's fight against the drop.

 

That's not what he said. Carra isn't an egomaniac like Gerrard. The criticisms he aimed at Rafa were based on things Rafa did that Carra didn't think were in the best interests of the club, like publicly picking a fight with the owners.

Fighting with the fans against that pair is how I'd see it Wacko.  Rafa alerted us (the fans) to quite a few things that they were up to, and though I love Carra and Gerrard, I'll not forgive them for not speaking out when other players did.  Let's be honest here, Carra didn't like foreign players, he wanted mostly local players here, didn't matter that many of them weren't good enough.  Oh, and let's not forget his refusal to play full back when we were going for the title, a match we lost btw.

 

[Cronky]

Interesting stuff. The bloke strikes me as a reserved, perhaps even shy man. It's hard to imagine him joining in any laddish dressing room banter, so maybe he doesn't have the kind of people skills that other managers might have and can use with certain players.

 

At the same time, he seems to be very objective in his thinking. He is strong as a tactician and makes judgements on what he sees in front of him, not on what he thinks he's going to see, or what others think is right. He's managed to sort out his best team and best tactics quite quickly.

[Lush Vlad]

Every weekend, I seem to start liking this man a little more. 

 

I know he keeps brushing it off, as he doesn't want to talk about going down.  But if the club and Rafa, were to release a statement before the end of the season.  Stating that he will remain at the club, regardless of which league we are in.  Then I honestly don't think I'd care too much about going down. 

 

Getting relegated and then appointing someone like Nigel Pearson, would be a massive kick in the bollocks. 

[Benwell Lad]

 

I'm a Reds fan, and I registered here when Rafa signed with you guys. Well deserved point yesterday, and I can assure you the majority of Liverpool fans see you as the second club now (a small prickish minority are ungrateful armchair supporters who somehow don't like him, but that's their problem)! Seeing the opposition fans singing his name was very melancholy for us yesterday - delighted to see him loved but also sad that he's not ours anymore! I fear he may have arrived too late to fix the mess created by McClaren and his dogsbodies in the boardroom, but I hope he stays, and I have a feeling - what with the attachment and fondness he's shown towards the fans, and vice versa - that he may stay whatever happens. Certainly the last couple of weeks provides ample evidence to suggest to Rafa that this squad is good enough whatever happens from here on, and that whatever division they are playing in, there is plenty to build upon. I can't quite believe how much better they look as a team now, considering the last few jokers of managers at Newcastle Utd.

 

One major issue some players have is that he is cold, but this should not be a criticism as that accusation applies only with the egomaniacs in football. As much a hero as Stevie G was, this was something that many of us entirely agreed with Rafa on. It only takes a read of Gerrard's latest autobiography to show how wound up in his own ego he is when he slates Rafa on some occasions. To read Red and White Kop, most supporters were appalled at this. I could go on and on with a list of rebuttals to contradict Gerrard's view on Rafa and, inevitably, his cold relationship with the Spaniard proved to be destructive to the club. Let's just say this - Gerrard (and Carragher) was quite happy to see the back of Rafa. The fact that he had turned Liverpool into formidable challengers again, turned Gerrard into a world class player (his form before and after Rafa didn't compare) and had won a European Cup and FA Cup was neither here nor there - and so such narrow mindedness from Gerrard prove fateful as Gerrard was adamant on his support for Roy f***ing Hodgson to become the boss. And that bit of egomania and disrespect for Rafa partly led us to the doledrums.

 

That said, more often than not, players who need help and a bit of belief go on to greatly appreciate Rafa. Lucas, Mascherano, Torres, Alonso, Kuyt, etc all had the humility to praise him to the heavens as they saw their careers go from strength to strength under his tutelage.

 

I just think Rafa fits your club like hand in glove. It's only good for English football if Newcastle and their fanatic fanbase are big players again and it would be refreshing after the sterile prawn sandwich glory hunting plastics that congregate around a whole host of soulless clubs (such as that franchise Man Utd).

 

We still love him, we still wish him all the best and I love that you guys love him too. Take care of him! And please, it would just be poetic justice if Rafa relegates Allardyce and Sunderland!

 

That really is a very good post and refreshingly honest in it's criticism of a local legend.

I see parallels with a period in our recent history reading Shearer, Bobby Robson and Souness for Gerrard, Benitez and Hodgson.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I think we could do with someone who is a bit 'cold' TBH. Just assess the squad and drop the shite, that's what he has done so far. Last thing we need is for the manager to be trying to be mates with everyone as well.

[Guest MDD]

Great post, almost makes me feel bad for having a dig at Liverpool over the years. I see you mentioned Carragher as one of those big time charlies who didn't take to Rafa and it shows. I was wondering why he had such a cold attitude to his appointment at Newcastle when he was asked what he would bring as a manager to Newcastle's fight against the drop.

 

That's not what he said. Carra isn't an egomaniac like Gerrard. The criticisms he aimed at Rafa were based on things Rafa did that Carra didn't think were in the best interests of the club, like publicly picking a fight with the owners.

 

Weren't in the best interests of the club? I love Carragher but that is utter bullsh*t. Perhaps he should have taken a seat on the Kop back then to realise what the fans thought were in the best interest of the club.

 

Again, likewise with Gerrard, it is very rare you will find Liverpool supporters who agree with Carragher's view. It was only with Rafa hanging dirty linen out in public that fans were able to get a true sense of the scale of mismanagement at the club. Without it, the scale of protest and the pressure on the owners would not have been what it was - and it was a protest that led to a large petition being handed over to RBS, which influenced them in refusing a loan to Hick and Gillett, which began the process of their exit from Anfield.

 

Rafa was a crucial catalyst in all of this. Without him, we would have been in the dark as to what scale of discontent was present at the club. If he'd been a weak yes man and had turned his back on the fanbase and local community that had built the club up in the first place (just like ex-Newcastle managers have done, in addition to that vile champagne socialist Alex Ferguson), then he may have just propped up the owners until the inevitable destruction of the club.

 

Carragher and Gerrard are icons, but Rafa's legendary status goes beyond his achievements at the club. Choosing between them is hard but I suspect that if push comes to shove, that most Liverpool fans loyalty lie mostly with Rafa. He offered endearing human qualities and a great deal of professionalism and objectivity (that is obviously lacking in Gerrard and Carragher - pray to god neither become Liverpool manager then) that WERE in the best interests of the club. When you see the diatribe against one of our greatest ever players in Gerrard for his views on Rafa when he released his autobiography at the end of last year, then that's clear to see that Rafa is arguably respected most of all.

[wacko]

Fighting with the fans against that pair is how I'd see it Wacko.  Rafa alerted us (the fans) to quite a few things that they were up to, and though I love Carra and Gerrard, I'll not forgive them for not speaking out when other players did.  Let's be honest here, Carra didn't like foreign players, he wanted mostly local players here, didn't matter that many of them weren't good enough.  Oh, and let's not forget his refusal to play full back when we were going for the title, a match we lost btw.

 

Weren't in the best interests of the club? I love Carragher but that is utter bullsh*t. Perhaps he should have taken a seat on the Kop back then to realise what the fans thought were in the best interest of the club.

 

I said Carra didn't think were in the best interests of the club. Big difference between reality and some of the things Carra thinks. As much as I love Carra and Gerrard, it isn't for their insight and brainpower.

 

[Guest MDD]

Another thing worth noting is that I believe Gerrard didn't like Rafa because the Spaniard undermined his influence in the dressing room.

 

There's a telling story in Jerzy Dudek's new autobiography about an episode that occurred during Houllier's time. Liverpool were playing in Eastern Europe and the weather was wet and freezing, and coach Sammy Lee ordered the players at full time to go out and do their stretches. Gerrard refused to do so, and said the whole team will stretch in the dressing room instead - much to the dismay of Sammy Lee who argued with Gerrard.

 

Sammy Lee was then ordered out the room by Houllier, who then proceeded to support Gerrard's claim and allow them to do their stretches in the dressing room. It struck some players as weak management by Houllier and showed the power of influence of Gerrard.

 

This is only a theory, but with Rafa, in no way whatsoever would this have been allowed to occur. I can only assume that Gerrard did not like Rafa's authority and disciplinarian position because he undermined his power in the dressing room - quite right too. It's interesting to note that Gerrard was full of praise for Rodgers in his autobiography - and quite interesting that Gerrard was privy to knowledge on transfer deals and almost had an 'insider' status that Brendan allowed him. Again, player power had returned with regards to Gerrard under Rodgers (possibly due to Rodgers not having the high status that someone like Rafa had when he came in so perhaps needed 'allies'), and it was only when Rodgers undermined this and admitted that he was going to have to decrease his playing time (obviously sensible for a player of 35 years old) that he decided enough was enough and was to leave Anfield. He would most probably have disliked Jurgen Klopp's approach - particularly considering that the German has banned wives and girlfriends from Melwood training (big question as to why this was allowed?). Something I presume Gerrard was all in favour of as it occurred prior to Klopp's arrival when Gerrard was still present.

 

By having control of players egos and keeping a lid on everything, Rafa never allowed player ego to run wildly around the club. As was shown with Liverpool and Gerrard, if the egos were given what they wanted, it only proved to be destructive. With Newcastle, there will be no uncertainty as to who is in charge at the club. From the outset and with little knowledge, it looks like control freakery but it is only like that as there's a hell of a lot of control needed to stamp out malign influences. For those who accuse Rafa of this, all you have to wonder is what Liverpool would have turned out like if mass egos in the squad and Hicks and Gillett had run riot around the club with no scrutiny.

[Shearergol]

Stevie G in being a massive bell-end shock.

[Dinho lad]

Another thing worth noting is that I believe Gerrard didn't like Rafa because the Spaniard undermined his influence in the dressing room.

 

There's a telling story in Jerzy Dudek's new autobiography about an episode that occurred during Houllier's time. Liverpool were playing in Eastern Europe and the weather was wet and freezing, and coach Sammy Lee ordered the players at full time to go out and do their stretches. Gerrard refused to do so, and said the whole team will stretch in the dressing room instead - much to the dismay of Sammy Lee who argued with Gerrard.

 

Sammy Lee was then ordered out the room by Houllier, who then proceeded to support Gerrard's claim and allow them to do their stretches in the dressing room. It struck some players as weak management by Houllier and showed the power of influence of Gerrard.

 

This is only a theory, but with Rafa, in no way whatsoever would this have been allowed to occur. I can only assume that Gerrard did not like Rafa's authority and disciplinarian position because he undermined his power in the dressing room - quite right too. It's interesting to note that Gerrard was full of praise for Rodgers in his autobiography - and quite interesting that Gerrard was privy to knowledge on transfer deals and almost had an 'insider' status that Brendan allowed him. Again, player power had returned with regards to Gerrard under Rodgers (possibly due to Rodgers not having the high status that someone like Rafa had when he came in so perhaps needed 'allies'), and it was only when Rodgers undermined this and admitted that he was going to have to decrease his playing time (obviously sensible for a player of 35 years old) that he decided enough was enough and was to leave Anfield. He would most probably have disliked Jurgen Klopp's approach - particularly considering that the German has banned wives and girlfriends from Melwood training (big question as to why this was allowed?). Something I presume Gerrard was all in favour of as it occurred prior to Klopp's arrival when Gerrard was still present.

 

By having control of players egos and keeping a lid on everything, Rafa never allowed player ego to run wildly around the club. As was shown with Liverpool and Gerrard, if the egos were given what they wanted, it only proved to be destructive. With Newcastle, there will be no uncertainty as to who is in charge at the club. From the outset and with little knowledge, it looks like control freakery but it is only like that as there's a hell of a lot of control needed to stamp out malign influences. For those who accuse Rafa of this, all you have to wonder is what Liverpool would have turned out like if mass egos in the squad and Hicks and Gillett had run riot around the club with no scrutiny.

 

What's your opinion on Rafa taking the Chelsea job?

[John P]

Every weekend, I seem to start liking this man a little more. 

 

I know he keeps brushing it off, as he doesn't want to talk about going down.  But if the club and Rafa, were to release a statement before the end of the season.  Stating that he will remain at the club, regardless of which league we are in. Then I honestly don't think I'd care too much about going down. 

 

Getting relegated and then appointing someone like Nigel Pearson, would be a massive kick in the bollocks. 

 

Me neither. If Rafa agrees to stay if we get relegated then by all means bring relegation on. I would have absoutely no doubts that Rafa would bring us back up straight away and would have cleared out all the players and staff that aren't good for the club. In a strange way, it might actually be beneficial for the big clear out if we were relegated, everything could be practically started again and done the right way from the start.

 

If Rafa is going to leave if we're relegated though, then relegation can fuck off please. I think we'd be stuck down there for a long time.

[Dinho lad]

Stevie G in being a massive bell-end shock.

 

[last_monetarist]

What's your opinion on Rafa taking the Chelsea job?

 

Yeah, I'd be interested to hear this as well. I seem to remember reactions among Liverpool fans were fairly mixed with some being disgruntled that he'd choose to work for that classless lot, while others were pragmatic enough to realize that Rafa couldn't twiddle thumbs sat at home waiting for the right offer. He had not worked for two years before that opportunity came along and he'd have been mad to decline it. The Chelsea job gave him a risk-free audition in the shop window so to speak, as he didn't really have much to lose by going there. I reckon he actually came out with it with his professional reputation enhanced in the face of the squalid treatment meted out by the Chelsea supporters.

[Wallace]

Every weekend, I seem to start liking this man a little more. 

 

I know he keeps brushing it off, as he doesn't want to talk about going down.  But if the club and Rafa, were to release a statement before the end of the season.  Stating that he will remain at the club, regardless of which league we are in. Then I honestly don't think I'd care too much about going down. 

 

Getting relegated and then appointing someone like Nigel Pearson, would be a massive kick in the bollocks. 

 

Me neither. If Rafa agrees to stay if we get relegated then by all means bring relegation on. I would have absoutely no doubts that Rafa would bring us back up straight away and would have cleared out all the players and staff that aren't good for the club. In a strange way, it might actually be beneficial for the big clear out if we were relegated, everything could be practically started again and done the right way from the start.

 

If Rafa is going to leave if we're relegated though, then relegation can f*** off please. I think we'd be stuck down there for a long time.

 

Can't bear to think who we would get if Rafa leaves.  Whoever it is will feel like a massive come down and it will be a tough job for them as I think we will be constantly comparing them to what we could have had.

 

[Dinho lad]

What's your opinion on Rafa taking the Chelsea job?

 

Yeah, I'd be interested to hear this as well. I seem to remember reactions among Liverpool fans were fairly mixed with some being disgruntled that he'd choose to work for that classless lot, while others were pragmatic enough to realize that Rafa couldn't twiddle thumbs sat at home waiting for the right offer. He had not worked for two years before that opportunity came along and he'd have been mad to decline it. The Chelsea job gave him a risk-free audition in the shop window so to speak, as he didn't really have much to lose by going there. I reckon he actually came out with it with his professional reputation enhanced in the face of the squalid treatment meted out by the Chelsea supporters.

 

I genuinely can't remember that he was out of management for the two years. 

[The College Dropout]

Between Inter and Chelsea. Fairly big gap. Then another fairly big gap to get the Real job. All bad experiences imo despite winning some trophies. It's been a long time since he's been given the chance to build a club in his image. After Liverpool it looked like he should get a string of top jobs he could settle with but he's not that type of manager.

[Parsley]

Between Inter and Chelsea. Fairly big gap. Then another fairly big gap to get the Real job. All bad experiences imo despite winning some trophies. It's been a long time since he's been given the chance to build a club in his image. After Liverpool it looked like he should get a string of top jobs he could settle with but he's not that type of manager.

Eh? He got the Real job almost directly after leaving Napoli didn't he?

[The College Dropout]

Ah totally forgot about Napoli

 

 

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[The College Dropout]

That didn't go too well did it? Spent shed loads on players from La Liga. Knocked out CL qualifiers a few times or didn't even make it that far. 

 

Thinking about it that would be his biggest 'failure' imo.  Don't follow that league at all bur from what I gathered he didn't push them on and this season they have improved. 

[Marmoset]

Even the best managers do underwhelming jobs sometimes. There are a lot of factors involved.

[Nobody]

Without knowing much about Napoli at all, it feels like it might have just been another bad fit for Rafa, same with Real. Remember Napoli playing some great football in the CL, very attacking and fast paced, might have been a bad idea to go from that to Rafa's more tactical approach.

Feels like everyone knew that the Real Madrid job was never going to suit him, was such a bad appointment by the Real Madrid board.

[Guest reefatoon]

If by some miracle we do manage to keep hold of Benitez in the championship, if he also manages to keep a good lump of players who are now performing for him, god damn, it's going to be a fun season. 10-0 each game, bliss.

[Nexumaster]

If by some miracle we do manage to keep hold of Benitez in the championship, if he also manages to keep a good lump of players who are now performing for him, god damn, it's going to be a fun season. 10-0 each game, bliss.

 

I feel like the opposite might happen, it would be a big scalp for Champo teams to take down Benitez, so they'd up their game against us.

[Guest chopey]

The good thing about Rafa is that the fans have a lot more respect for him rather than any of the players, his name has been sung constantly since he arrived and player power is non-existant.

 

I'm at the stage now where i'm not bothered which league we play in next season so long as Rafa is in charge.

[Guest reefatoon]

If by some miracle we do manage to keep hold of Benitez in the championship, if he also manages to keep a good lump of players who are now performing for him, god damn, it's going to be a fun season. 10-0 each game, bliss.

 

I feel like the opposite might happen, it would be a big scalp for Champo teams to take down Benitez, so they'd up their game against us.

 

They tried that the last time, but the teams were absolute shit.