[100], Bentez announced that he would resign at the end of the 201415 season. Youre a big name, you can play anywhere at all. When I look back I could have done things differently but at the same time I also think I could have got more guidance from the coaches.. An official statement from the club said, "Rafa will forever be part of Liverpool folklore after bringing home the Champions League following the epic final in Istanbul but after a. "When a player knows he is a slave, he'll never give his employer his heart.. [110], Newcastle ended the season with a six match unbeaten run, including a 51 final day win over third-place Tottenham Hotspur. "You see that the team are not doing well and there are no changes. Which Liverpool player do you wish Rafa Benitez had never sold? The former Reds captain says in his new autobiography that tactically the Spaniard was . Ryan Babel was just 20 when he joined Liverpool from Ajax in an 11.5m deal in the summer of 2007. Then he said: I think its time we go our separate ways, Riise recalled in his 2018 autobiography. Katie Smith, who is studying at Leeds University, was crowned as the 2017 winner of the David Welch Student Sportswriter of the Year at the Sports Journalists Association awards in London on Monday night. Or when Bentez takes me off during a game even if I haven't used up all my energy on the pitch. The season also saw Bentez make his debut in the Champions League, where his side reached the quarter-finals, losing to Inter Milan. I had played for five years at Anfield and then never got a game when Benitez arrived, apart from three in the Carling Cup. The striker would join West Ham United in a 7.5m deal, as Benitez went on to replace him with Fernando Torres, before later returning to Liverpool in August 2011 and enjoying a more successful stint with his boyhood club under Kenny Dalglish. 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. [57] His first league win as manager came on 11 September 2010, a 21 win against Udinese at the San Siro. Some things are more important than football and I had the full support of the club. When I scored, I still expected to be out of the team the next game. The only problem was the media, he insisted. He was dismissed in January 2022 after a run where Everton lost 9 out of 13 games. [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. Rafael Benitez predicted, in this very space, on Tuesday morning, precisely where the risk lay when it came to Liverpool v Real Madrid. That's when Chelsea made an offer and the deal was done before Benitez left. Three days before the transfer window closed I went in to see him again Relax, Jerzy, theres still time, but we want a permanent deal, but Meier was telling me that Rafa was still refusing to take his calls! And thats prompted us to look back at Benitezs time across Stanley Park at Anfield, and recall some of the players Liverpool sold after disagreements with their manager. This is the place to moan and discuss about every single thing that happened in games and with your team. Enjoy it. They are just choosing to spend it more cautiously. I was with the national side, before the World Cup, he recalled to the Times. Rafael Bentez Maudes (born 16 April 1960) is a Spanish professional football manager and former player who most recently managed Premier League club Everton. In November 2012, he was appointed interim manager of Chelsea for the remainder of the season and he won the 2013 Europa League. Milan Baros finished Benitez's first season at Liverpool as the club's top goalscorer. 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. He was unable to avoid relegation, but earned promotion back to the Premier League the following year, winning the Championship. 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. 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. Keep up to date with the latest breaking news, transfer gossip and everything LFC with thousands of Reds! "I have still not swallowed it. [citation needed], In 200304 season, Valencia won La Liga with three games to spare and beat Marseille 20 in the UEFA Cup final. He was appointed manager of Real Valladolid for the 199596 season, but was dismissed after only two wins in 23 games with the club bottom of La Liga. becky ending explained. As a right winger/midfielder, Steven Gerrard had the most productive seasons trophy-wise, claiming a Champions League title, and an FA Cup. They stopped me from being free. 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. I want to know.. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) He left the club in June 2019 and the following month was appointed manager of Chinese Super League club Dalian Professional. I dont want to blame the coach for me not having the ultimate career at Liverpool but I felt it could have been closer in terms of guidance and support.". "He thinks he's in charge and everything else falls on deaf ears. 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. I should have known better by then. The title challenge, however, fizzled out early in the season, with Liverpool's poor form away from Anfield leading to speculation Bentez's tenure at Liverpool was short-lived, with his agent quoted as saying Bentez would consider offers to manage in Italy. [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. [78] This was followed by a 31 away victory to Sunderland, with Bentez presiding over his first league win as Chelsea manager. Like Bellamy, it is perhaps no surprise that Jermaine Pennant was a player not best suited to playing for a manager like Benitez, given his reputation and the disciplinary issues that dogged his career. I could not risk waiting to see if Benitez kept his job. But, with Rafa, the training was so boring that youd come in and all youd want to do was slit your wrists! [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. "[91], On 19 May, in his final competitive game as Chelsea manager, Bentez managed the team to a 21 home win over Everton, ensuring a third-place finish in the Premier League and a direct spot in the following season's Champions League group stage. [95], In his first season in charge, Bentez guided the club to victory in the Coppa Italia, defeating Fiorentina 31 in the final,[96] and into the last 16 of the Europa League, exiting after a 32 aggregate defeat to Porto. I knew I had to get away from Benitez. [citation needed], However, Liverpool's poor results in the New Year led to a sharper focus on Bentez, who had missed Liverpool's draw at Arsenal in December due to an operation to remove kidney stones. I dont think people in England ever saw the best of me. [12], On 16 June 2004, Bentez was appointed manager of Liverpool, replacing Grard Houllier, becoming the first Spaniard to manage in the Premier League. And after moving to Stamford Bridge, Benayoun would lay into his former Reds boss, insisting he was the only reason he had any interest in leaving Anfield. Former Liverpool player and Chile international Mark Gonzalez has suffered from a heart attack and is currently in hospital recovering, as confirmed by his wife. He told me he needed pace up front. When Craig Dawson is the best defender - possibly player - over 45 minutes, it sums up our issues. Yet he scored just one Premier League goal in the second half of the season and was sold to Aston Villa in. There's some speculation about what might have been said at half-time to spark a much better second half - collectively, and from certain individuals. Further injury problems saw him miss almost the entire 198586 season and he subsequently retired as a player. I tried to plead with him a little bit, and he repeated the fact that my time was done, really, in his own way. Given his past, the manager was a controversial choice. If your player didn't start or saw a red card, or you picked the wrong player, captain, or other, this is the place to share all your rants. We played attacking football. The 61-year-old also won La Liga with Valencia and has collected trophies at Inter Milan, Napoli, and Newcastle United. And I remember thinking, oh my, this is going to be trouble, this is going to be difficult for me'. Liverpool's worst run in 22 years[46] combined with an exit from the Champions League at the group stages led to the first major vocal criticism of Bentez by Liverpool fans. Rafa Benitez & Jamie Carragher on how Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005 Sky Sports Premier League 1.1M views 3 years ago Simon Jordan SLAMS Rafa Benitez for making out his. Its like telling (Lionel) Messi you need technique. [23], Bentez's signings helped the club's Premiership form improve considerably. Liverpool host Real on Tuesday night in the first leg of their. [113], In May 2017, Newcastle won the 201617 EFL Championship and made an immediate return to the Premier League after one season in the Championship. Then the focus is on a remarkable last . Bentez called me and said I wasnt in his plans, so it was better for me to find a (new) club. I am delighted to play for Liverpool and if I was playing, I would love to stay, because it is a brilliant place to play football. A 6.7m signing from Birmingham City in the summer of 2006, he impressed during his first season with the club and was a standout performer in their 2007 Champions League final defeat to AC Milan. It was funny. "[14], One of Bentez's first tasks at Liverpool was to convince club captain Steven Gerrard not to move to Chelsea. The manager had the option to choose between Dutch. Fab was our best player that half, which is some sort of comfort. I had to make a decision and decided to be with my family. [104] Meanwhile, Real topped their UEFA Champions League group with 16 points. May 25, 2005 is a date that will forever have its place in Liverpool FC folklore thanks to events at Istanbul's Ataturk Stadium. It means that, suddenly, you mess up with a simple pass because your mind is all over the place. 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. [76][77] On 5 December 2012, Bentez recorded his first win as Chelsea manager, a 61 victory at home to Nordsjlland in the Champions League. [26], Supporters and manager joined to welcome new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, with the hope the new owners would bring funding for new players and a new stadium. Well help you find another club if you like., Can I play the last matches? was all I could say. Subscribe to the CV Academy. But to this day I still think I should have stayed. Halfway through the 199091 season he succeeded Jos Antonio Camacho as the coach of Real Madrid's under-19 team. Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has issued an apology of behalf of Djibril Cisse following his controversial behaviour at Newcastle on Sunday. Frankly, I am proud of that. He's never sorted out a situation with a player by talking with him. On 3 June 2015, Bentez was confirmed as the new Real Madrid manager, signing a three-year contract. I have some offers. It says plenty about the dysfunction at the club that days later, Benitez has gone. "It was for the Champions League quarter-final squad against Inter," Alonso said. But it was Liverpool Football Club. 1. wesap12345 3 mo. We were sitting in his office, just about to sign, and he showed me a picture of me shouting at a player! But an exchange with Benitez did leave the Frenchman rather bemused on his way out. Wed just lost the Champions League final. Therefore, I'm happy to give you some advice for emulating his Liverpool 4-2-3-1 tactic. ", "Sammy Lee back as Liverpool assistant coach", "Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez and chief exec Rick Parry call a truce", "Never Walk Alone? By Will Rooney. Another altercation between Bellamy and Benitez would take place in the Spaniards office after the Welshman was fined for taking a penalty against Birmingham City when Robbie Fowler had been the designated taker. Kimberly Goldson is getting some long overdue attention from fashion magazines for bold looks that she showed at NYFW. It was a bit frustrating not playing Inter, but I had to be with my family at the time, he said. Rafa didnt mince his words. I've got two or three possibilities already and things are starting to move behind the scenes.". "With Rafa, it is all about himself. Rafa Benitez has given his verdict on Liverpool's chances of finishing in the Premier League's top four. "But then as we went on he left me totally on my own and only judged me for the things I didnt do right instead of telling me how to solve or improve the things I had to improve. Don't sign. I remember the conversation and he was all right, to be fair. Rafa Benitez. If you want to go and speak to other clubs, thats fine'. 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. 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. [60] Despite criticism, Bentez guided Inter to win the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2010. Liverpool finished third in the league, missing out on second place by one point. [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. Steven Gerrard has lifted the lid on his "frosty" relationship with former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez. "Apart from that, I loved everything at Liverpool - the players, the people, the fans, everything was great. He said he understood and liked my desire to be playing so negotiations with Kln continued. Liverpool actually failed to find a buyer for Riera before Benitez left the club in the summer of 2010, but he was sold by successor Roy Hodgson to Olympiacos that July in a 5m deal. START DATES 2021-22 FA Community Shield 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. I agreed to join Chelsea before Roy Hodgson was appointed Liverpool's new manager. Craig Bellamy joined Liverpool from Blackburn Rovers in a 6m deal in June 2006. [97] Napoli finished third in Serie A in 201314 to qualify for the next season's Champions League. It was suggested that Bentez's position was now under serious threat. "And maybe, after 10 days training with him, well, that's when I started asking questions. Yet he would return to Spurs just seven months later, and at an 8m loss, having quickly fallen out of favour under Benitez. By the way, we won 0-1 with a goal from Torres.. [6], The first attempts by Bentez at senior management away from the Real Madrid fold were less than successful. Surely I couldnt stay if I gave him a smack? However, the current Blues boss has taken . "Just sometimes, he might as well have turned a player into an Xbox, dressed me up like RoboCop and put a picture of my face on it. He also brought in both Mista from his former club and Francisco Rufete from Mlaga, with Mista going on to become top goalscorer for Valencia with 19 goals in the 200304 season. Bentez, however, later explained this gesture: he said he had previously told Xabi Alonso to take a short free-kick. And it appears that such a deterioration stemmed from the midfielder missing the Reds trip to the San Siro to face Inter Milan in March 2008 to be present for the birth of his child, with Benitez trying to sell Alonso the following summer to help fund a move for Gareth Barry. Usain Bolt? This is a player who had spent time in prison and played in the Premier League wearing an electronic tag after all. Key players missed much of the season through injury and Liverpool failed to challenge Chelsea and Arsenal for the league title, finishing fifth.