Rafa Benítez (now unemployed)

[Sima]

So every one of Bruce's signings have been worse than Rafa's budget buys, imagine what would happen if Rafa was given one of Ashleys dingbat manager budgets

 

Not sure about including ASM in that tbf but the rest...

 

Perez was better

 

Rafa didn't buy Perez though?

[Tiresias]

As if Bruce would ever have played Perez anyway, would have sold him for peanuts if he'd been in charge last few seasons

[Judge Holden]

So every one of Bruce's signings have been worse than Rafa's budget buys, imagine what would happen if Rafa was given one of Ashleys dingbat manager budgets

 

Are they actually Bruce's buys though? Isn't the point of Bruce being here is because he'll accept any garbage chucked his way from Charnley & Nickson as long as he gets to stay in the managers job in return?

 

No denying they're crap, though. But that's hardly surprising given the staff we have managing them.

[Raconteur]

 

Story posted on Australian football website The World Game:

 

 

Rafael Benitez insists it is not true he tried to teach Cristiano Ronaldo how to take free-kicks while head coach of Real Madrid.

 

Benitez was in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu for an ill-fated seven months between June 2015 and January 2016 before he was replaced by Zinedine Zidane.

 

The former Liverpool manager struggled to win over the fans and reportedly had a difficult relationship with some of Madrid's first-team stars, most notably Ronaldo.

 

Benitez is said to have encouraged the Portugal star to review footage of his own past performances in order to improve and, according to some reports, even attempted to instruct Madrid's record goalscorer how best to shoot from dead-ball situations.

 

However, Benitez, now coach of Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang, has offered his side of the story.

 

"That's a lie. At no time did I tell him how he had to take them," Benitez told Marca.

 

"The only conversation I had with Cristiano about free-kicks was in Australia, during pre-season.

 

"I told him we had analysed, together with my goalkeeper coach, the free-kicks he took when he was at Manchester United and the trajectory of the ball in relation to the position of the wall.

 

"Our idea then, as Liverpool coaches, was to try to counter their [united's] free-kicks. But that's it. At no time, as coach of Madrid, did I tell CR7 how free-kicks should be taken."

 

Benitez also denied trying to persuade Luka Modric to stop passing the ball with the outside of his right foot, insisting he merely encouraged the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner to use his instep for short, simple passes.

 

"I only told him that, of course, when you have a simple pass, you have to hit it with the inside [of your foot] because then it's easier for your team-mate," Benitez said. "When I played, I also used the outside, but in 10-15-metre passes.

 

"Anyone who knows me knows this is a lie [that I told Modric to stop]. However, it's very easy to release lies and make them appear true."

 

Benitez remains reluctant to talk publicly about his short-lived spell in charge of Madrid, which ended with a 2-2 draw at Valencia on January 3.

 

"I went a long time without talking about the club. In one moment, it occurred to me to say something... and it seemed as though I couldn't say what I thought," Benitez said.

 

"Therefore, what I do is not talk about Madrid. I focus on the future, which is Dalian.

 

"We were able to sign Lucas [Vazquez], Casemiro and [Mateo] Kovacic. Two of them are still there, and at a good level, but I don't want to talk about that.

 

"In six months, they let me do what they let me do. For whatever reason, there wasn't interest to do more. And that's it. I don't want to say more."

 

Benitez was a far more popular figure during his three years in charge of Newcastle United before he moved to China.

 

The 59-year-old says he turned down several offers from other lucrative leagues before taking the Dalian role, as he felt the other clubs did not represent the same meaningful challenge, although he is not discounting a return to Europe.

 

"I'm not thinking of coming back now," he said. "We want to develop this Chinese project. Before coming here, I had offers from different places, but they didn't meet the conditions we were looking for.

 

"We could have gone to other countries. There was a lot of money from several leagues where they pay a lot. But they were teams that didn't have the capacity to compete, to win.

 

"Here, in addition to a good contract, there's a project where nobody demands that you win titles, but to improve and leave something for the future, a legacy. And we're doing that."

 

He added: "The important leagues always attract me. The essential thing is that people know we are up-to-date with everything. We never stop, my team and I."

 

 

https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/the-only-conversation-was-in-australia-benitez-slams-ronaldo-free-kick-lies?fbclid=IwAR2kQmgaltMIzJmdRsOmokUlSvg9mDCvtKa2Bcwuuv38kO1TkZdVUNzrI1E

[Guest neesy111]

[Pandamninator]

 

Story posted on Australian football website The World Game:

 

 

Rafael Benitez insists it is not true he tried to teach Cristiano Ronaldo how to take free-kicks while head coach of Real Madrid.

 

Benitez was in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu for an ill-fated seven months between June 2015 and January 2016 before he was replaced by Zinedine Zidane.

 

The former Liverpool manager struggled to win over the fans and reportedly had a difficult relationship with some of Madrid's first-team stars, most notably Ronaldo.

 

Benitez is said to have encouraged the Portugal star to review footage of his own past performances in order to improve and, according to some reports, even attempted to instruct Madrid's record goalscorer how best to shoot from dead-ball situations.

 

However, Benitez, now coach of Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang, has offered his side of the story.

 

"That's a lie. At no time did I tell him how he had to take them," Benitez told Marca.

 

"The only conversation I had with Cristiano about free-kicks was in Australia, during pre-season.

 

"I told him we had analysed, together with my goalkeeper coach, the free-kicks he took when he was at Manchester United and the trajectory of the ball in relation to the position of the wall.

 

"Our idea then, as Liverpool coaches, was to try to counter their [united's] free-kicks. But that's it. At no time, as coach of Madrid, did I tell CR7 how free-kicks should be taken."

 

Benitez also denied trying to persuade Luka Modric to stop passing the ball with the outside of his right foot, insisting he merely encouraged the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner to use his instep for short, simple passes.

 

"I only told him that, of course, when you have a simple pass, you have to hit it with the inside [of your foot] because then it's easier for your team-mate," Benitez said. "When I played, I also used the outside, but in 10-15-metre passes.

 

"Anyone who knows me knows this is a lie [that I told Modric to stop]. However, it's very easy to release lies and make them appear true."

 

Benitez remains reluctant to talk publicly about his short-lived spell in charge of Madrid, which ended with a 2-2 draw at Valencia on January 3.

 

"I went a long time without talking about the club. In one moment, it occurred to me to say something... and it seemed as though I couldn't say what I thought," Benitez said.

 

"Therefore, what I do is not talk about Madrid. I focus on the future, which is Dalian.

 

"We were able to sign Lucas [Vazquez], Casemiro and [Mateo] Kovacic. Two of them are still there, and at a good level, but I don't want to talk about that.

 

"In six months, they let me do what they let me do. For whatever reason, there wasn't interest to do more. And that's it. I don't want to say more."

 

Benitez was a far more popular figure during his three years in charge of Newcastle United before he moved to China.

 

The 59-year-old says he turned down several offers from other lucrative leagues before taking the Dalian role, as he felt the other clubs did not represent the same meaningful challenge, although he is not discounting a return to Europe.

 

"I'm not thinking of coming back now," he said. "We want to develop this Chinese project. Before coming here, I had offers from different places, but they didn't meet the conditions we were looking for.

 

"We could have gone to other countries. There was a lot of money from several leagues where they pay a lot. But they were teams that didn't have the capacity to compete, to win.

 

"Here, in addition to a good contract, there's a project where nobody demands that you win titles, but to improve and leave something for the future, a legacy. And we're doing that."

 

He added: "The important leagues always attract me. The essential thing is that people know we are up-to-date with everything. We never stop, my team and I."

 

 

https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/the-only-conversation-was-in-australia-benitez-slams-ronaldo-free-kick-lies?fbclid=IwAR2kQmgaltMIzJmdRsOmokUlSvg9mDCvtKa2Bcwuuv38kO1TkZdVUNzrI1E

 

Considering Ronaldo's record with free kicks, maybe he should have.

[Paully]

Four years ago today  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

 

[TBG]

Bet he didn't own that scarf unlike local lad Steve Bruce who brought his own cause he loves the toon and always dreamed of managing the club.

[huss9]

don't, just don't.

it's too hard.

[Judge Holden]

He's gone, he's not coming back. Forget it. Forget him.

[samptime29]

What's crack with his Chinese club? Will he even go back?

[Mikky]

Bet he didn't own that scarf unlike local lad Steve Bruce who brought his own cause he loves the toon and always dreamed of managing the club.

 

Plus Steve's dad was a Geordie

[Sean]

He's gone, he's not coming back. Forget it. Forget him.

 

Nah, forget Sports Directs football company.

[Rod]

He's gone, he's not coming back. Forget it. Forget him.

  I will never forget him.

[Pixelphish]

He's gone, he's not coming back. Forget it. Forget him.

 

Can we have a warm welcome for our new WUM?

[Judge Holden]

He's gone, he's not coming back. Forget it. Forget him.

 

Can we have a warm welcome for our new WUM?

 

I'm a WUM because I'm not bothered anymore about a bloke whos no longer with Newcastle?

[loki679]

He's not new, we just haven't figured out who he was yet.

[Judge Holden]

He's not new, we just haven't figured out who he was yet.

 

I am new

[Guest]

Let’s just never talk about former players or managers ever again to keep Judge Holden happy. It’s all about Bruceball and the current crop.

[Judge Holden]

Crikey. Bit sensitive some folk. Would have been cracking to see RB stay on and be given everything he had asked for from MA & LC but that was never going to happen - what could have been and all that etc.

 

But all this, "it's just too hard" talk and a load of unhappy emojis on the anniversary of his appointment? Meh..

 

Is this going to be a yearly thing?

[mrmojorisin75]

Feel sorry for those that still aren't unhappy and aggrieved by what happened with Rafa. The calibre of the man is unparalleled in football and you won't be seeing a coach of his quality lowering themselves to rescue us from the shit ever again.

 

I intend to stay angry about it for a very long time tbph.

[Judge Holden]

Feel sorry for those that still aren't unhappy and aggrieved by what happened with Rafa. The calibre of the man is unparalleled in football and you won't be seeing a coach of his quality lowering themselves to rescue us from the shit ever again.

 

I intend to stay angry about it for a very long time tbph.

 

Aye its annoying but not worth having a yearly cry over.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I cry much more than yearly.

[geordie john]

Feel sorry for those that still aren't unhappy and aggrieved by what happened with Rafa. The calibre of the man is unparalleled in football and you won't be seeing a coach of his quality lowering themselves to rescue us from the shit ever again.

 

I intend to stay angry about it for a very long time tbph.

 

Aye its annoying but not worth having a yearly cry over.

 

Oh yes it is. Every time I see or hear Bruce.

 

Just think, we got rid of Rafa for Bruce......

[Judge Holden]

Feel sorry for those that still aren't unhappy and aggrieved by what happened with Rafa. The calibre of the man is unparalleled in football and you won't be seeing a coach of his quality lowering themselves to rescue us from the shit ever again.

 

I intend to stay angry about it for a very long time tbph.

 

Aye its annoying but not worth having a yearly cry over.

 

Oh yes it is. Every time I see or hear Bruce.

 

Just think, we got rid of Rafa for Bruce......

 

Yep. Humongous downgrade. Definitely a case of "what could have been" had we kept RB and all - or the majority - of his demands were met.

 

Its over with, nothing can be done about it. Re. what Optimistic Nut said about me never wanting to speak about past managers or players again: not what I'm getting at. Just find it odd to keep twisting/crying/getting upset or however you want to put it over his departure. Benitez falls under a long list of club favourites hugely mishandled by Ashley/Charnley/Llambias.

 

If we had an owner who gave a toss about the club and for whatever reason didn't keep Benitez on, then aye - fair fucks, I could understand twisting.

 

Benitez just falls in line with Shearer and Keegan who were mistreat by the club. He's not the first, won't be the last. There's just an empty feeling now whenever the club makes a stupid decision. Tiresome crying over them. Changes nowt.