He (Benitez) said it would be a good move for me, adding: Well definitely help you, well do whatever it takes to make a deal, Dudek recalled. 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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. The man management was down to his staff. [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. I dont think I ever really played more than three games in a row. May is a special month for. Craig Bellamy joined Liverpool from Blackburn Rovers in a 6m deal in June 2006. It was such a special, important moment that I took the decision that I needed to be there, Alonso explained. We were sitting in his office, just about to sign, and he showed me a picture of me shouting at a player! That's when Chelsea made an offer and the deal was done before Benitez left. Down to 9 men we go on the attack and with a Jean Makoun . Being told youre no longer wanted at Liverpool by Rafa that was a tough one, he told TalkSPORT. [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. [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. The fans could see what it meant to me. [107][108] He suffered defeat in his first match in charge, losing 10 away to eventual champions Leicester City on 14 March. After that I did another interview and said that I have to be my first critic. Bentez's tactics were credited as a key factor in Liverpool reaching, and winning, the final, despite a relatively unimpressive squad of players. I say by myself on the plane back to England the next day. In the years since leaving Liverpool, Keane has never criticised Benitez for selling the striker but believes the Spaniard was simply the wrong manager for him at the wrong time in his career. Rafael Bentez leaves Liverpool | Rafael Bentez | The Guardian Benitez picked up 13 points from his nine Premier League matches in charge on Everton's own turf - the same amount of points as Lampard has picked up. 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. "Stevie was unbelievable playing that 10. "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. According to Echoes of Liverpool, Brands wanted Graham Potter more than Rafa Benitez.Given the way the Benitez era has unfolded - Everton are 11 points behind Brighton are operating on a fraction of their budget - it is tempting to wonder how different this season would have been if Moshiri had followed suit with the sporting director. 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. 'He was around 10m': Rafa Benitez says he nearly signed Brazil legend for Liverpool Charles Jones 4 days ago Speaking on the Official Liverpool FC Podcast, Rafa Benitez has been. Bentez, however, later explained this gesture: he said he had previously told Xabi Alonso to take a short free-kick. This is the place to moan and discuss about every single thing that happened in games and with your team. He moved away from Real Madrid in 1995, but management spells at Real . "It was for the Champions League quarter-final squad against Inter," Alonso said. The injury saw him sidelined for a year and hampered his chances of becoming a major player. "Just before I left Liverpool last January was when they brought in Pellegrino," he told the Mail on Sunday. We discuss a first half that was below par, and the goals we conceded, as well as Bukayo Saka's brilliant equaliser. "[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. [12], On 16 June 2004, Bentez was appointed manager of Liverpool, replacing Grard Houllier, becoming the first Spaniard to manage in the Premier League. I had played for five years at Anfield and then never got a game when Benitez arrived, apart from three in the Carling Cup. Having just witnessed arguably the most stunning comeback in the competition's history, when Rafa Benitez's unfancied side had fought back from 3-0 down to a world-class AC Milan outfit to win on . We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Bentez was appointed as manager of Newcastle United in March 2016 in an attempt to save the club from relegation. "I'm not one of these players that likes to sit around on the bench and just pick my money up. Despite their best efforts, the Toon were beaten by six minutes worth of Manchester United attack. Among those Bentez sold was Craig Bellamy, who was notably phased out of the first team following an altercation with John Arne Riise in the buildup to Liverpool's remarkable victory over Barcelona in the Camp Nou en route to the Champions League final. And Babel has since described his relationship with his first Reds manager as weird, repeating pointing the finger of blame at Benitez for the fact he was unable to push on on Merseyside. Rafael Benitez: Sacked manager did not realise magnitude of - BBC Further injury problems saw him miss almost the entire 198586 season and he subsequently retired as a player. becky ending explained. Considering Liverpool were working on a limited budget when Benitez first took over as manager in the summer of 2004, its inevitable that he would have to force some players out to help raise funds for his own signings. The only problem was the media, he insisted. "[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. "When a player knows he is a slave, he'll never give his employer his heart.. I looked at him. I should have stayed a bit longer and trusted myself, I should have. 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. They stopped me from being free. An unused substitute in the Spaniards first two games against Grazer AK and Tottenham Hotspur, he rarely made a matchday squad appearance after. In November 2012, he was appointed interim manager of Chelsea for the remainder of the season and he won the 2013 Europa League. 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. Liverpool paid 20m when signing Robbie Keane from Tottenham Hotspur in July 2009. And I would like to play there constantly.". He also won the FA Cup in 2006 and reached the 2007 Champions League Final, but was unable to win the Premier League, with Liverpool's best league performance under Bentez a second-place finish in 200809. In truth, he didnt have time to as Benitez made it clear early on that he had no future at the club. It was never really explained to me. Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez becomes new Everton manager - ESPN.com Rafa just didnt understand. If pushed, you would have guessed the man responsible for scoring the Blues' first goal at home for nearly two months was David Datro Fofana, the Ivorian forward signed during January's trolley dash. Liverpools hero in Istanbul for the 2005 Champions League final, Jerzy Dudeks reward was to be relegated to the clubs back-up goalkeeper just months later following the arrival of Pepe Reina. 4-2-3-1 Everton Predicted Lineup Vs Watford- The 4th Official [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. In the red corner, Achraf Hakimi is a fight away from one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. German clubs are financially savvy Kln knew they couldnt afford to buy me if they werent in the top division but Rafa refused to let me go on loan. "When you have so many instructions, it makes it so difficult. The thinking fan's Chelsea blog. I was in touch with Meier regularly and he told me Benitez wouldnt speak to him, but was saying Klns offer was unacceptable. I was feeling glum. Looking back, I do appreciate honesty from managers. It was a privilege for me to play for such a great club in front of great fans. It was the same for me. The 36-year-old joined the. I should have known better by then. Released at the end of his contract, he signed for Real Zaragoza in the summer of 2009 on a free transfer and has repeatedly slammed Benitez in the years that have followed. We have since done another (better) post on Rafa Benitez's Liverpool. Bentez also quickly discarded Vladimr micer and Igor Bian, who played key roles in the European success but seemingly did not figure in Bentez's long-term plans. Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo scored the goals in the first half to hand Liverpool a much-needed victory. End of story.". As soon as training had finished I stormed over to him and ripped my gloves off in an aggressive manner. [111] However, the team was relegated to the Championship due to rivals Sunderland claiming 12 points from their final six fixtures. A scorer of big goals, he produced countless important moments in his three seasons with the club as the Reds challenged for the Premier League title and progressed in the Champions League. A controversial early goal in the second leg from Luis Garca saw Liverpool win 10 on aggregate and reach the final against Milan. Bentez was appointed coach of Valencia and won La Liga in the 200102 season. Even Ali looks a shadow of himself. You said youd do everything to get a deal through. On 21 August 2010, Bentez won his first trophy as manager, the Italian Super Cup, after they defeated Roma 31. In this episode we look back on the extraordinary 4-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. [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. Kimberly Goldson is getting some long overdue attention from fashion magazines for bold looks that she showed at NYFW. [109] Bentez would have to wait until 16 April for his first win in charge of The Magpies, recording a convincing 30 victory over Swansea City in the Premier League. Perhaps the most obvious name on this list. After defeating Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus with the aid of some bold team selections by Bentez, Liverpool faced Chelsea in the semi-final. [9], Valencia fans also were soon won over by Bentez after he introduced a more attacking style of play than his predecessor, Cper. Benitez did far more. That was why, when Pako Ayestarn (his assistant) went, they had a parting of the ways and things started to go downhill a bit.". They thought I was playing well but Benitez told me he was surprised the fans booed because I was not good enough. He also worked as a commentator/analyst for Eurosport, Marca, El Mundo and local Madrid TV. Mike Leach 'had a heart attack and may have suffered brain damage' ", '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. "I would be worried" - Rafa Benitez warns Inter about 'dangerous As a right winger/midfielder, Steven Gerrard had the most productive seasons trophy-wise, claiming a Champions League title, and an FA Cup. You already know the story, of course. 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. He was highly regarded for his tactical acumen[136][137] particularly in European ties, setting his team up to exploit opposition weaknesses. [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. When Mourinho exited Chelsea in 2007, Bentez said, "You know my relationship with him, it is better that I do not say anything", declining to comment as Ferguson and Arsenal manager Arsne Wenger had. I knew he wasnt the man for me, but because it was Liverpool I just had to sign.. West Ham board's five options to replace David Moyes after Brighton While at Real, Bentez also gained his coaching certificate in 1989 and in the summer of 1990 taught at a football camp at the University of California in Davis, California. You listen to his former team-mates and all say the Spaniards relationship with his compatriot completely broke down during his final season at Liverpool, before putting in a transfer request and leaving for Real Madrid in a 30m deal in the summer of 2009. If they come back today to buy you, they need to double their offer as this is the last day of the transfer window.. He knows what he wants and how to get it. The coach and myself were not compatible. [44] Bentez defended his decisions, arguing Liverpool's slow start was due to key players such as Steven Gerrard being below par.[45]. [10], However, the following 200203 season was a disappointing one; the club failed to follow up on their title success, finishing 18 points behind champions Real Madrid, and missed out on the top four by a single point. Maybe I will never swallow it. Thank you for your three years of service, now you can call your agent to do a deal with another club.' As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Murphy would sign for Charlton Atheltic in a 2.5m deal in August 2004. Well help you find another club if you like., Can I play the last matches? was all I could say. GALLERY: Rafa Benitez's Liverpool years in pictures View gallery In 2013 he headed to Mexico to take over at Estudiantes Tecos and then last August he landed the job at Maccabi Tel Aviv in. [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.