Admittedly I never really asked the manager, but he never said anything either, never said I wasn't good enough. Eight of the side's remaining 10 away matches are against teams below them in the table, which should offer some decent opportunities to counter-attack from midfield. . And after falling down the pecking order at Anfield, the Poland international was involved in a couple of controversial incidents before departing on a free transfer to Real Madrid in 2007. On two occasions early last season, against Fulham and Lyon, the fans booed when I was subbed. 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. [105] At the time of his dismissal, Real were third in La Liga, four points behind leaders Atltico Madrid and two points behind arch-rivals Barcelona, the latter of whom had a game in hand. "I was never given a chance and that hurts. All of a sudden youre confused. In November 2012, he was appointed interim manager of Chelsea for the remainder of the season and he won the 2013 Europa League. Were going to buy another striker, he said. ", "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? Besides, people are treating me as if I don't exist any more. Rafael Benitez's last interview as Everton boss. He smiled at me from behind his desk. Maybe I will never swallow it. Craig Bellamy joined Liverpool from Blackburn Rovers in a 6m deal in June 2006. I hadnt got on. Then he said: I think its time we go our separate ways, Riise recalled in his 2018 autobiography. But it was Liverpool Football Club. Then, when we played Birmingham after I hadn't started a game for a month, he didn't tell me I was starting until two hours before the game. Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has named the two players that influenced Steven Gerrard the most in his time at the club. [78] This was followed by a 31 away victory to Sunderland, with Bentez presiding over his first league win as Chelsea manager. "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. I am not interested in making Rafa my enemy in the slightest, quite the opposite, but ultimately it is about playing, and if I am not, we have to talk about why not. The former Liverpool manager remains a top defensive mind but will have his work cut out for him when he brings his Newcastle side to Anfield. Only then will I be better than I am now. [65][66][67][68] He was unveiled as the new Chelsea manager at a press conference on 22 November 2012. After leaving Liverpool in June 2010, Bentez was appointed manager of treble-winning side Inter Milan. In some ways, it is a surprise that Benitez lasted this long. Usain Bolt? 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 . Loved the details Riise gave of the Bellamy fiasco; that when he showed up the day after (to basics fight Bellamy), Agger went with him and had his back. "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. They stopped me from being free. "I scored 19 goals and I never played! "If I'm doing something badly and you are my boss, and you value me, then you are going to come and tell me what I have to do to play again. [15] He was unable, however, to convince Michael Owen to extend his contract; he was subsequently sold to Real Madrid. From the latest transfers and match reports to training ground gossip and the running of the game, bridgeviews.co.uk offers a different perspective. What if Pepe gets injured next week? After he ignored me for a long time, he needed me for Europe when Ryan Babel was suspended. Ill have Scott and a kid from the Academy. On 3 June 2015, Bentez was confirmed as the new Real Madrid manager, signing a three-year contract. In truth, he didnt have time to as Benitez made it clear early on that he had no future at the club. A "sell to buy" policy enforced by the ownership due to increasing debt, combined with Alonso's departure, prompted discontent amongst considerable sections of the club's fanbase who believed Bentez was not being backed sufficiently in the transfer market. [148][149], Rafael Bentez married Maria Montserrat[150][151][152] in 1998. You'll also get the latest transfer talk and analysis every day for FREE! Don't sign. [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. 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. Connect with Liverpool fans from around the world in our official supporters group. The long-serving Danny Murphy was one such player. [142], The tactic of zonal marking has been criticised by pundits when Liverpool concede from set-pieces[143] in spite of the fact that Bentez's squads are usually renowned for their defensive nature and low number of goals scored against them. The club had previously approached Javier Irureta, Man and Luis Aragons and had been turned down by all three. Youve got some instructions and tactics in your mind and yet hes shouting even more at you. A lot of people at Liverpool treated me well and asked me to stay, but I could not turn down such a massive club as Chelsea. 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. Bentez played as a midfielder for both Real Madrid Aficionados in the Tercera Divisin and Castilla CF in the Segunda Divisin. History repeated itself in the final as they then went on to lift the trophy after a penalty shoot-out, following a dramatic 33 draw. It was the club's 10th Premier League defeat of the season - and their ninth in their last 12 league matches - to leave . "I was disappointed - this much is true," Baros said in an interview with a newspaper in Prague. Topics the dayTopicsThe Best winnersInflation Relief Checks liveF1 Bahrain TVNBA scheduleChampions League schedulesNBANFLNFL ScoresNFL ScheduleLaLiga StandingsLaLiga ScoresPremier League StandingsPremier League SchedulePremier League ScoresEuropa League ScheduleEuropa League ScoresSerie ScoresPowerball numbers todayMega Millions numbers todayWBC teams schedule2023. You promised you would help me but now I have a concrete offer youve not kept your word., I cannot risk it. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. [49] The club subsequently exited the UEFA Europa League at the hands of Atltico Madrid. Babel would remain a Liverpool player for another half a season after Benitezs exit, playing under his immediate successor Roy Hodgson before being sold by Kenny Dalglish to Hoffenheim in an 8m deal in January 2011. I spent six months with Liverpool hardly getting a game. [112] On 25 May 2016, it was confirmed that Bentez would remain as manager. Which Liverpool player do you wish Rafa Benitez had never sold? If its the way I play or the way I am, fine. [72], The appointment was initially unpopular with many Chelsea fans due to Bentez' association with Liverpool and comments he had previously made about Chelsea,[73] and he received a "fiercely hostile reception" as he was introduced at his first home game, a 00 draw with Manchester City on 25 November 2012. We played attacking football. 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. I really need to play games to be prepared for the World Cup.. 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. "I'll only leave if I go as a free agent. It means that, suddenly, you mess up with a simple pass because your mind is all over the place. Joshua Askew -. Keep up to date with the latest breaking news, transfer gossip and everything LFC with thousands of Reds! Peter Crouch has suggested that Rafael Benitez's prior association with Liverpool was, in part, behind his undoing as Everton manager.. Benitez, 61, was given his marching orders on Sunday, less than 24 hours after his side were beaten by relegation-threatened Norwich City. "When a player knows he is a slave, he'll never give his employer his heart.. [117] However, in an interview with The Athletic in December 2020, Bentez stated he was left no choice but to leave the role due to disagreements with Ashley, describing him as "a businessman who I don't believe really cares about his team. Despite heavy criticism from the English press[141] Bentez persisted with the reward of a Champions League and FA Cup triumph in his first two seasons. He had to protect his interests, but it was hard to be on the receiving end of it., Knowing he would leave Liverpool at the end of his contract in 2007, Dudek at the time said Benitez had treated him like a slave.. [147][146] Francisco died in December 2005 while Bentez was in Japan for the FIFA Club World Championship. [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. Rafa Benitez has praised Liverpool teenager Stefan Bajcetic ahead of tonight's Champions League first leg clash with Real Madrid. Meanwhile in an interview with the Independent, he said: He (Benitez) promised me certain things at this time to help me develop which I thought was the same as Ajax but at a different pace. The lads could see I was fuming so all hung around to see what would happen. "[118], On 2 July 2019, Bentez was appointed manager of Chinese Super League side Dalian Professional (formerly Dalian Yifang), signing a two-and-a-half-year deal. The win secured a top-four Premiership finish and with it a place in the following season's Champions League. Murphy would sign for Charlton Atheltic in a 2.5m deal in August 2004. - Heart stops when I see the draw for the semi finals of the league and we drew Cardiff. [145], Bentez's father, Francisco, worked as a hotelier. Fab was our best player that half, which is some sort of comfort. [93], On 27 May 2013, it was announced that Bentez had signed for Napoli, whose manager Walter Mazzarri had resigned. Im not James Milner, who keeps it simple. He was highly regarded for his tactical acumen[136][137] particularly in European ties, setting his team up to exploit opposition weaknesses. But with Rafa, it was constant directions. Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has issued an apology of behalf of Djibril Cisse following his controversial behaviour at Newcastle on Sunday. [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. Initially, he joined Parla on loan, but eventually signed for them permanently and helped them gain promotion to Segunda Divisin B. [79], At the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2012, Chelsea defeated Monterrey 31 to reach the final,[80] where they were beaten 10 by Brazilian side Corinthians. "With Rafa, it is all about himself. He was dismissed in January 2022 after a run where Everton lost 9 out of 13 games. But dont tell me you need pace. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. Ultimately you have to trust the players once they cross the white line. I wasnt in the mood. increasingly disappointed. [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. Brooklyn, USA models-art.ru Joined June Brooklyn-based designer Kimberly Goldson competed in reality show 'Project Runway,' just landed in the Saks window, and is preparing to make. He told me he needed pace up front. But an exchange with Benitez did leave the Frenchman rather bemused on his way out. [135], Bentez's preferred formation is a 4231 which he adopted during his time at Valencia and Liverpool. The injury saw him sidelined for a year and hampered his chances of becoming a major player. [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. I need to play. The 50-year-old, who only took charge 18 months ago, finished 15 points c 8m ESPN. 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. I should have known better by then. The euphoria of lifting the European Cup 15 years ago today is a feeling Rafael Benitez will never forget. The resulting coverage resulted in a show of support by fans in support of Bentez which culminated in a fans' march in support of Bentez ahead of the critical Champions League home tie with Porto, which they won 41. [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. He was being honest and he said to me: Look, I want to bring in some of my own players, youre not going to be part of the XI and its unlikely youre going to get back in the team. Ryan Babel was just 20 when he joined Liverpool from Ajax in an 11.5m deal in the summer of 2007. [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. Or when Bentez takes me off during a game even if I haven't used up all my energy on the pitch. I say by myself on the plane back to England the next day. In 1997, he joined another Segunda Divisin side, Extremadura, and this time led them to promotion, finishing second in the table behind Alavs after winning 23 out of 42 games. 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. [55] On 27 August 2010 in Monaco, Inter lost to Atltico Madrid in the 2010 UEFA Super Cup. May 25, 2005 is a date that will forever have its place in Liverpool FC folklore thanks to events at Istanbul's Ataturk Stadium. Yet, the Spaniard is not a monster. [24], Following Bentez's great early success, the English media were predicting Liverpool would challenge Chelsea for the 200607 Premier League title after Bentez addressed Liverpool's perceived weaknesses in the transfer window, a belief reaffirmed after his side won the Community Shield with a 21 victory over Chelsea. There are also easier fixtures than playing away against Wolves (with a rotated side) and Brighton as well as facing Chelsea at Anfield, as Liverpool has had to do recently. Bentez is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Italian. What are your plans for next season? he said. Well talk in a moment, Jerzy. No, lets talk now. Liverpool host Real on Tuesday night in the first leg of their. Goals from Casemiro and a deflection from Marcus Rashford put the Red Devils 2-0 up at half-time . After defeating Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus with the aid of some bold team selections by Bentez, Liverpool faced Chelsea in the semi-final. Classy timing'.". [139] Bentez often plays key players in unorthodox positions to suit a formation notably converting both Steven Gerrard (in the 200506 season) and Dirk Kuyt into right-wingers.

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