[97] Napoli finished third in Serie A in 201314 to qualify for the next season's Champions League. Bentez also gave new life to existing Liverpool players, transforming Jamie Carragher from a utility player to one of Europe's top centre backs alongside Sami Hyypi. He left the club by mutual consent in January 2021 before taking over as manager at Everton in June. 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. Pako: I never betrayed Rafa Benitez at Liverpool FC The. Despite this success, Bentez fell out with Jess Garca Pitarch, the club's director of football, over control of new signings and the club's failure to reinforce the squad with the players he wanted. [146] Rosario is a big football fan and supported Real Madrid, while his father supported Atltico Madrid. Former Liverpool and Inter Milan boss Rafael Benitez believes the Nerazzurri should be worried about the Reds' attack ahead of their Champions League clash on Wednesday. From the latest transfers and match reports to training ground gossip and the running of the game, bridgeviews.co.uk offers a different perspective. 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. In truth, he didnt have time to as Benitez made it clear early on that he had no future at the club. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. [30], Liverpool made a good start to the 200708 season, topping the Premier League table for the first time under Bentez after a comprehensive 60 win over Derby County. It was as if the fans' reaction worked against me. "The fans don't know" - Rafa Benitez claims Liverpool refused to 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. West Ham board's five options to replace David Moyes after Brighton Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez becomes new Everton manager - ESPN.com Bentez stands by his tactic, pointing out that teams who man-mark concede just as many, if not more, goals from set pieces. "On the day before the final game of last season at Hull, Benitez pulled me to one side after training and said: 'You will not be in the squad for this game. [citation needed], In 200304 season, Valencia won La Liga with three games to spare and beat Marseille 20 in the UEFA Cup final. Leaving for Celtic in January, he was not happy with how Benitez had treated him at all. [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. Liverpool came from 20 down and were losing 32 in stoppage time when Steven Gerrard scored a dramatic late equalizer. There was an issue over whether it was a loan move first or a permanent transfer straight away. [11] These differences of opinion saw Bentez resign as Valencia coach on 1 June 2004. Liverpool attack tasked with breaking down former boss Benitez's defence At one point, rumours of Bentez quitting or being dismissed became so great that bookmakers had to suspend betting on the subject. [61] Buoyed by the Club World Cup victory, he told the European champions to back him with new signings or consider whether they wanted to keep him as coach, despite the side having won the treble only a few months earlier. Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez linked with managerial return after It was suggested that Bentez's position was now under serious threat. - Heart stops when I see the draw for the semi finals of the league and we drew Cardiff. What are your plans for next season? he said. Despite their best efforts, the Toon were beaten by six minutes worth of Manchester United attack. Rafael Bentez leaves Liverpool | Rafael Bentez | The Guardian The Frenchman spent the 2006/07 on loan at Marseille, with Cisse joining the club permanently in a 6m deal in July 2007. START DATES 2021-22 FA Community Shield The 61-year-old also won La Liga with Valencia and has collected trophies at Inter Milan, Napoli, and Newcastle United. ", "Sammy Lee back as Liverpool assistant coach", "Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez and chief exec Rick Parry call a truce", "Never Walk Alone? I couldn't say at the time, but I knew this was my last season at Liverpool and I wanted a special end. Only the two men would truly be able to answer whether their relationship changed after that trip to the San Siro. It was not easy, my job is not a normal job and it was not just any game, but I never regretted it. After everything the coach has put me through, I'm not going to give him that parting gift (of a fee). 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. Milan Baros finished Benitezs first season at Liverpool as the clubs top goalscorer. I had great contracts on the table, and choices of managers who really wanted me and that made me feel good. Only then will I be better than I am now. My objective is to go to the World Cup and for this I have to play. Enjoy it. Down to 9 men we go on the attack and with a Jean Makoun . "Apart from that, I loved everything at Liverpool - the players, the people, the fans, everything was great. [12], On 16 June 2004, Bentez was appointed manager of Liverpool, replacing Grard Houllier, becoming the first Spaniard to manage in the Premier League. Yes, I would have if I were not present at the delivery. 1. wesap12345 3 mo. His final match was a 42 defeat to Lazio, who took the final place in the Champions League at Napoli's expense.[101]. Bentez speaking in 2020 on winning the 2005 Champions League Final. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. I thought: 'No matter how the manager is treating me, I'm showing the fans the club is in my heart.' 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. You'll also get the latest transfer talk and analysis every day for FREE! Rafa Benitez sends message after Newcastle are beaten in EFL Cup final [47] It was suggested that this Liverpool team was missing Bentez's characteristic defensive rigidity[48] despite the fact that only Manchester United and Chelsea conceded fewer goals than Liverpool, and lacked the necessary depth to cope with injuries to key players such as Gerrard and Fernando Torres while Bentez's decision making was called into question. But the players he brought in werent bad, were they? [148][149], Rafael Bentez married Maria Montserrat[150][151][152] in 1998. [8], In 2001, Bentez was appointed coach of Valencia, replacing Hctor Cper. If I played well, I never felt he gave me credit. The next couple of days were a couple of the hardest days of my life. He's never sorted out a situation with a player by talking with him. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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. [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. [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. [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. Then the focus is on a remarkable last . And I would like to play there constantly.". It was no surprise that the Spaniard had quickly decided to move the striker on, and the Wales international would later reveal his problems with his manager started on day one. I should have known better by then. After his success with the U19s, Bentez then succeeded Garca Remn at the start of the 199394 season. I remember the conversation and he was all right, to be fair. 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. ", 'Pubs need to adapt' if they are going to survive the times ahead, "Although we are living during a cost-of-living crisis people still do have money. 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). Maybe I will never swallow it. 20th Sep 2022, 7:39am. [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. Rafa Benitez News: Latest updates after Everton sacking - Mail Online Published: 20:09, 16 Jan 2022 Updated: 20:09, 16 Jan 2022 LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher was quick to take to social media to make light of Rafa Benitez's sacking at Everton. ", "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? We have since done another (better) post on Rafa Benitez's Liverpool. Let us know in the comments section below Albert Rieras falling out with Benitez is pretty cut and dry. Frank Lampard has done something Rafa Benitez was expected to do at [44] Bentez defended his decisions, arguing Liverpool's slow start was due to key players such as Steven Gerrard being below par.[45]. But to this day I still think I should have stayed. [53] On 15 June 2010, Bentez was presented to the Italian media for the first time after signing a two-year deal. However, Club Director Javier Subirats recognised the potential of Bentez and campaigned for his appointment. At half-time of the Champions League final, Benitez's Reds were 3-0 . "[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. His reign at the club was a short one and he was dismissed midway through the 201011 season. Therefore, I'm happy to give you some advice for emulating his Liverpool 4-2-3-1 tactic. [111] However, the team was relegated to the Championship due to rivals Sunderland claiming 12 points from their final six fixtures. But perhaps because Benitez believes in an element of. The no-nonsense former Liverpool boss might have been criticised by former players for not being the warmest of man-managers, but in the past he has tended to get results. 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. It means that, suddenly, you mess up with a simple pass because your mind is all over the place. Rafael Benitez: Police investigate reports of banner threatening ex Other semi final Wolves V Southampton. Liverpool fans knew that 'Agent Rafa' would not be there more than a season, and so it has proven. But dont tell me you need pace. As soon as training had finished I stormed over to him and ripped my gloves off in an aggressive manner. Rafa Benitez fell out with a number of players during his time with Liverpool, leading to many leaving the club, Follow the latest transfer news and more with our LFC newsletter. But while the striker disputed such claims, he did twice voice his grievances with some of his managers decisions to the press over the course of the season, prior to being sold to the Villans in a 6.5m deal. 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. 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. Mr Benitez relinquishes his position as team manager after six years and the Board of Directors would. Im still trying to come to terms with the disappointment of whats just happened and now you tell me you want to get rid of me. [145], Bentez's father, Francisco, worked as a hotelier. [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. The situation is said to be dire and Leach may have suffered seizures. [16], During his first season, Bentez was unable to improve Liverpool's form in the Premiership. He said, "I was hoping for a sofa [a defender] and they've brought me a lamp [Fabin Canobbio]," in reference to the positions he wanted to be strengthened. [81] Chelsea progressed to the League Cup semi-finals with a 51 win over Leeds United at Elland Road and then recorded an 80 win over Aston Villa, equalling their record top-flight victory. Sean Dyche has eight blunt questions to answer as Everton pay the price I still dont know his real reasons. on July 16, 2010. On 21 August 2010, Bentez won his first trophy as manager, the Italian Super Cup, after they defeated Roma 31. I understand what he was doing. So I asked who he was going to sign. [110], Newcastle ended the season with a six match unbeaten run, including a 51 final day win over third-place Tottenham Hotspur. It was a permanent deal or nothing as far as he was concerned. [23], Bentez's signings helped the club's Premiership form improve considerably. The 36-year-old was signed by Rafa Benitez in the summer of 2005 from. "You see that the team are not doing well and there are no changes. I tried to convince him to change his mind: What have you got to lose? [147][146] Francisco died in December 2005 while Bentez was in Japan for the FIFA Club World Championship. I havent really thought about it, I said. The previous season when we finished second in the Premier League, I was happy with my performance in the final months but I was not sure if the manager thought I was a good player,. You can't treat a player like this and expect him to be happy. While Premier League Team A vs Premier League Team B is meant to be the main attraction of the Sky Sports show . Bentez argued he needed to rotate his small squad to ensure key players were fit for the latter stages of these knockout competitions. Making 52 appearances in 2006/07, that dropped to 25 in 2007/08 while he was frozen out in 2008/09 altogether, featuring just four times and making only two Premier League starts before being sent on loan to Portsmouth. I have a normal relationship with Rafa. [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. After he ignored me for a long time, he needed me for Europe when Ryan Babel was suspended. LIVE Transfer Talk: Man United monitoring Lewandowski's future. I certainly had no complaints about that. [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.