[15] He was unable, however, to convince Michael Owen to extend his contract; he was subsequently sold to Real Madrid. 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 says plenty about the dysfunction at the club that days later, Benitez has gone. That exchange took place just days into his Liverpool career and involved Benitez asking him to write down his misdemeanours and faults. During the 199697 season, Bentez took charge at Osasuna in the Segunda Divisin, but after only nine games and one win, he was dismissed. Or would it just lead to a massive media scandal? I am very, very proud to be joining one of the most important clubs in the world in one of the best leagues in the world - and I want to win. Not only was he a brilliant coach but he is a very sharp, savvy businessman. I hated him at the time, but Ive lost that now. Bentez argued he needed to rotate his small squad to ensure key players were fit for the latter stages of these knockout competitions. [35] Bentez had reportedly intended to sell Xabi Alonso to fund the purchase of Barry, but Liverpool CEO Rick Parry was reported to have prioritised signing Robbie Keane over Barry, causing tension when Barry did not arrive. On the winning goal scored by Branislav Ivanovi, Juan Mata said, "Rafa told us we had to aim to the far post, because it was Artur's weakest place. This was followed by a 40 home loss in the first Clsico of the season against Barcelona. The thinking fan's Chelsea blog. You didnt mean it., I cannot let you go on loan. "I was disappointed - this much is true," Baros said in an interview with a newspaper in Prague. START DATES 2021-22 FA Community Shield Then he told him who were coming in for me Tottenham, Charlton and Everton. He knows what he wants and how to get it. I couldn't say at the time, but I knew this was my last season at Liverpool and I wanted a special end. 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. [23], Bentez's signings helped the club's Premiership form improve considerably. [8], Bentez subsequently quit Extremadura and took a year off from football to study in England and Italy. Rafa came to sit next to me, he recalled in his 2013 autobiography. [121] Before signing the contract, he was a subject to threats from a group of Everton supporters who opposed his appointment and who left a banner near his home, reading "We know where you live. [90] Defender David Luiz credited Bentez with making critical changes at half time, saying, "He changed some of our positions in the second half. That's why we played better and won the title. He also enrolled as a student at INEF, the sports faculty at the Universidad Politcnica de Madrid and in 1982 he obtained a degree in physical education. However, time heals all wounds and Cisse was a lot more positive about Benitez when speaking exclusively to the ECHO back in February this year. "All players want to play in such great matches and I had been playing regularly before the Carling Cup final. I raised my voice. I understand what he was doing. Liverpool paid 20m when signing Robbie Keane from Tottenham Hotspur in July 2009. It's a little frustrating because you see that you can help. Benitez just shook his head Id got the sack, plain and simple. 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. From the latest transfers and match reports to training ground gossip and the running of the game, bridgeviews.co.uk offers a different perspective. But come the start of the season he didnt get a look in. You said youd do everything to get a deal through. It was a normal Craig Bellamy picture in a newspaper! 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. [6], In 1986, at the age of 26, Bentez returned to Real Madrid to join the club's coaching staff. They thought I was playing well but Benitez told me he was surprised the fans booed because I was not good enough. He moved away from Real Madrid in 1995, but management spells at Real Valladolid and Osasuna were short-lived and unsuccessful. You already know the story, of course. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. 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. Some things are more important than football and I had the full support of the club. I was sure he wanted me to attack him in the press during the season so he could turn the fans against me, so I kept quiet. 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. So I hadnt expected this. A controversial early goal in the second leg from Luis Garca saw Liverpool win 10 on aggregate and reach the final against Milan. He told me he needed pace up front. He left the club in June 2019 and the following month was appointed manager of Chinese Super League club Dalian Professional. And he still lives in Liverpool. A stalwart under Gerard Houllier, Murphy never really had a falling out with the Spaniard as such. Ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez linked with managerial return after Everton sacking. I have no problem talking to people. Joshua Askew -. Then the consequences of doing so flashed through my mind. "Stevie was unbelievable playing that 10. "There were times when I would get so angry about how boring and repetitive training was that I would just lose it and shout, For f**ks sake just give us a bit of a five-a-side!. He did everything so coldly, almost inhumanely, because he saw things as business. 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. Rafael Benitez is set to be appointed as Everton's new manager next week after the former Liverpool boss agreed key aspects of his contract with the club. End of story.". Bentez's demands were dismissed out of hand by the Inter ownership, with Massimo Moratti refusing to comment on Bentez's continued employment by the club. In 1981, Bentez joined Tercera Divisin side Parla. [74][75] This was followed by a 00 draw at home to Fulham and a 31 loss to West Ham. [62][63] On 23 December 2010, just five days after bringing Inter to the triumph, Bentez was dismissed by Inter. Then he said: I think its time we go our separate ways, Riise recalled in his 2018 autobiography. Gillett declared himself delighted with the manager of his new investment, as Bentez overcame his domestic difficulties to lead Liverpool to another Champions League final. 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. [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. Get all the latest Liverpool breaking news, team news, transfer rumours, injury updates plus analysis of what's next for the Reds. "I scored 19 goals and I never played! Such a revelation damaged Bentez's relations with the Americans, with constant rumours linking the Spaniard with a move back to Real Madrid. See you on Wednesday.. Signed in an 8m from Espanyol in the summer of 2008, he featured regularly in his first season with the club as Liverpool fell narrowly short in the Premier League title-race. However, the second leg was cancelled and Madrid were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player. "I would like to be here for the rest of my career, but players live to play. [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. "I have still not swallowed it. Cisse admitted, after joining Marseille on loan, that he did hold a grudge against Benitez for forcing him out. This time, Pepe Reina saved three penalties during the shoot-out to secure the silverware. Given Bellamys reputation, you can imagine these were not the only occasions when the duo failed to see eye to eye. The only problem was the media, he insisted. Real Madrid B were then playing in the Segunda Divisin and on 4 September 1993, he made his debut as a Segunda Divisin manager with a 31 over Hrcules. "I'm the king of the exiles here so, as far as I'm concerned, it's finished for me at Liverpool," he said. Rafa Benitez's team lost 1-0 on both occasions to a Spurs XI each time . 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. Benitez spent six years as Liverpool manager, winning the Champions League in 2005 and reaching the final of the competition in 2007. "We were going into labour, and I told Rafa that I could not go. 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. In January 2008, Riise would score an own goal against Luton Town in the FA Cup after failing to defend a cross coming in from the right. Commenting on Benitez's touchline instructions, he said: "On the pitch, often I can see whats best. According to Santiago Caizares, the squad was initially surprised but they were immediately won over by his modesty as he presented himself as quoted: "You come from the Champions League final and I come from Segunda Divisin, but humbly I think I have tools to make you improve". [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. Re: Half time: Liverpool 0-0 Wolves. If its the way I play or the way I am, fine. An unused substitute for the 2007 Champions League final, he was informed by Benitez on the flight home that he had no future with the club. This view was later supported by Sir Alex Ferguson. Project Runway Season 9 Finalist, Fashion Designer: famous for my pants! [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. [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. Liverpool transfer news, rumours, gossip and speculation including updates on Roberto Firmino, Manuel Locatelli, Naby Keita and Mason Mount. Murphy would sign for Charlton Atheltic in a 2.5m deal in August 2004. [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. [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. [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. Steven Gerrard has lifted the lid on his "frosty" relationship with former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez. 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. Benitez, 50, replaced Gerard Houllier as Liverpool manager in June 2004 and. I just sat there, half in shock. Just tell me. 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. 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. Frankly, I am proud of that. [18], In the Champions League, however, Liverpool fared differently. [135], Bentez's preferred formation is a 4231 which he adopted during his time at Valencia and Liverpool. Carl Lewis? Initially, he joined Parla on loan, but eventually signed for them permanently and helped them gain promotion to Segunda Divisin B. [36] Striker Keane was later re-sold back to Tottenham Hotspur in the January transfer window, with some analysts claiming he was a "pawn in a power struggle" between Bentez and the club's owners. [55] On 27 August 2010 in Monaco, Inter lost to Atltico Madrid in the 2010 UEFA Super Cup. Down to 9 men we go on the attack and with a Jean Makoun . Yet he scored just one Premier League goal in the second half of the season and was sold to Aston Villa in. [86] Results continued to be mixed, and at one point Chelsea found themselves 16 points behind league leaders Manchester United, having been just four behind when Bentez was appointed. It was just a case of his manager no longer wanting him in his squad, with the defender going on to sign for Roma in 4m deal. This is what hurts me. I havent really thought about it, I said. [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. Given Benitezs reputation as one who cannot call upon humane man-management as one of his skills, it is understandable why it is believed their relationship broke down from that moment. While Premier League Team A vs Premier League Team B is meant to be the main attraction of the Sky Sports show . "I will remember Liverpool fondly as a success but not the situation I've found myself in. 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. Looking back, I do appreciate honesty from managers. [29], Bentez's spending was, eventually, significant, breaking Liverpool's transfer record when signing Spanish striker Fernando Torres from Atltico Madrid as well as signing Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun, Lucas Leiva and Andriy Voronin. It was, in my opinion, a weird relationship (with Benitez) because when he signed me I looked at him as the big uncle who wanted to give me a chance and help me succeed," he told the Guardian. Bajcetic has been one of the few positives for the Reds throughout a disappointing season and looks set for the biggest game of his career tonight. I dont think people in England ever saw the best of me. Don't do or say anything. Ill have Scott and a kid from the Academy. The season also saw Bentez make his debut in the Champions League, where his side reached the quarter-finals, losing to Inter Milan. 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 . Due to this unbeaten run, Benitez was nominated for the Manager of the Month award. [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. [57] His first league win as manager came on 11 September 2010, a 21 win against Udinese at the San Siro. "It was for the Champions League quarter-final squad against Inter," Alonso said.