However, the second leg was cancelled and Madrid were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player. Even Ali looks a shadow of himself. Also added was England defender Glen Johnson for a 17.5million fee. "I'm the king of the exiles here so, as far as I'm concerned, it's finished for me at Liverpool," he said. By the way, we won 0-1 with a goal from Torres.. 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. I have some offers. 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 . 4y Dave Usher. I really need to play games to be prepared for the World Cup.. [145], Bentez's father, Francisco, worked as a hotelier. Jurgen Klopp's respect for Rafa Benitez spotted during Liverpool's thrashing of Everton LIVERPOOL beat city rivals Everton 4-1 at Goodison Park on Wednesday night. He said: I dont want to see this'. Bentez joined Real Madrid's coaching staff at the age of 26, going on to work as the under-19 and reserve team coach, and assistant manager for the senior team. [123], Under Benitez Everton enjoyed a winning streak across the Premier League and EFL Cup in their first four games. That's when Chelsea made an offer and the deal was done before Benitez left. Looking back, I do appreciate honesty from managers. Benitez went to Real Madrid instead and Rodgers limped on until Klopp, who had long since been identified as the perfect successor, made it clear he was ready to cut short his sabbatical.. "Right now the only market open is the Russian one, I have offers from two teams and, looking at my situation, that has made me reflect a lot.". 134 appearances and 29 goals would seemingly demonstrate that. 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. I just sat there, half in shock. 1. wesap12345 3 mo. "When you have so many instructions, it makes it so difficult. 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. So I asked who he was going to sign. It was another short-lived appointment and on 4 January 2016, he was dismissed following a 22 draw against his former club, Valencia. [31] It later emerged that Jrgen Klinsmann had been offered Bentez's job before eventually accepting the post of Bayern Munich manager. But from the start I felt basically left out, by myself, no help and that was of course very difficult for a 20 year old. Despite the lack of silverware, the main talking points were off the pitch, with Bentez in the middle of a power struggle with the Liverpool board. 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. Home. Liverpool won't get a penny. This is the place to moan and discuss about every single thing that happened in games and with your team. You said youd help me. [55] On 27 August 2010 in Monaco, Inter lost to Atltico Madrid in the 2010 UEFA Super Cup. [132] In a match in April 2009 when Allardyce was manager of Blackburn, he accused Bentez of arrogance over a gesture he made when Fernando Torres scored Liverpool's second goal. I should have known better by then. Real later played Cdiz in the Copa del Rey round of 32, winning away 31 in the first leg. [69][70][71] He appointed Boudewijn Zenden as his new assistant manager at Chelsea on the same day. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. Benitez, 50, replaced Gerard Houllier as Liverpool manager in June 2004 and. [100], Bentez announced that he would resign at the end of the 201415 season. 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. I got more and more frustrated with him until transfer deadline day when I finally boiled over. They thought I was playing well but Benitez told me he was surprised the fans booed because I was not good enough. He was highly regarded for his tactical acumen[136][137] particularly in European ties, setting his team up to exploit opposition weaknesses. "[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. "On a psychological level, it was very hard because I restrained myself a lot. But it was Liverpool Football Club. 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. 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.. 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. His final match was a 42 defeat to Lazio, who took the final place in the Champions League at Napoli's expense.[101]. 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. I said: 'You need me now and I will always do my best. I scored against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-final. 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. He won the Spain Under 19s Cup in 1991 and 1993, defeating Barcelona in both finals. He told me I was a better player as a substitute instead of starting in the team. But dont tell me you need pace. There was an issue over whether it was a loan move first or a permanent transfer straight away. Footballers love seeing a bit of confrontation on the training ground! Bentez, however, later explained this gesture: he said he had previously told Xabi Alonso to take a short free-kick. Vales time at Liverpool with Rafa Benitez will help a lot as DOnald adapts his system of high pressing possession football, which is enjoyed by both men. READ MORE: Naby Keita shows 'humbled' James Maddison how Liverpool situation has changed, READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp will already fear worst for crunch Chelsea clash as Liverpool myth exposed. [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. We were sitting in his office, just about to sign, and he showed me a picture of me shouting at a player! The 61-year-old also won La Liga with Valencia and has collected trophies at Inter Milan, Napoli, and Newcastle United. Rafael Benitez might have been sacked by Premier League club Everton, but the red half of Merseyside still remembers him fondly. The situation got worse afterwards. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Liverpool were hit with budget restrictions in 2006, and then-reds boss Benitez was only given 10 million to spend on a right-midfielder. "All players want to play in such great matches and I had been playing regularly before the Carling Cup final. You promised you would help me but now I have a concrete offer youve not kept your word., I cannot risk it. In truth, he didnt have time to as Benitez made it clear early on that he had no future at the club. An FA Cup winner the following year, Cisse did feature fairly regularly in 2005/06 but often found himself utilised out of position or as a substitute. Perhaps the most obvious name on this list. You can't treat a player like this and expect him to be happy. 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. I certainly had no complaints about that. If I leave the Reds, I would like to play in a team which would be at least at the same level as Liverpool in regard to playing in European competitions. 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. Sometimes there were rows, others were just ostracised from the team, but all of them knew their Reds days were numbered after crossing paths with the Spaniard. [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. 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. In some ways, it is a surprise that Benitez lasted this long. Rafa came to sit next to me, he recalled in his 2013 autobiography. 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. [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. [135], Bentez's preferred formation is a 4231 which he adopted during his time at Valencia and Liverpool. Take part in our Liverpool FC 'Keep or Sell' survey: While Murphy was moved on straight away, it was a different story for Stephane Henchoz. For some reason it was important that I reach 350 matches and an exact average of fifty per season. increasingly disappointed. The players and the people at the top of the club knew how I felt. 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. It was a really emotional moment for me. Then he said: I think its time we go our separate ways, Riise recalled in his 2018 autobiography. The biggest problem I had with Rafa was the first day, he told Sky Sports. If they come back today to buy you, they need to double their offer as this is the last day of the transfer window.. I repeat, if they come back in today they must pay double., I felt he was treating me unfairly, but thats how Rafa operated. Fifteen years after Liverpool beat AC Milan in the Champions League final, I will be sent that message a lot today. [120], Bentez was appointed manager of Premier League club Everton on a three-year contract on 30 June 2021, replacing Carlo Ancelotti who left to join Real Madrid. I thought I would be staying for a lot longer.". I've certainly never said a bad word about him as a manager, I thought he was top, Keane told The Football Show on Sky Sports last year. In the next game, a 00 draw against Canada, he was injured in a hard tackle. 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. Being told youre no longer wanted at Liverpool by Rafa that was a tough one, he told TalkSPORT. [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. The only problem was the media, he insisted. In his second interview he said: "I do not want to make trouble with the manager. 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. I felt he was waiting for me to make a mistake so he could use it against me. 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. [110], Newcastle ended the season with a six match unbeaten run, including a 51 final day win over third-place Tottenham Hotspur. Rafa Benitez at the Run for the 96 5K in Stanley Park, Liverpool (Image: Liverpool Echo) But being a born winner is just one part of Benitez's multi-layered appeal. 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. 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. We played attacking football. [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. [147][146] Francisco died in December 2005 while Bentez was in Japan for the FIFA Club World Championship. 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. A stalwart under Gerard Houllier, Murphy never really had a falling out with the Spaniard as such. A week-and-a-half later and there was no progress. Subscribe to the CV Academy. Fully fit again in time for Benitezs arrival, he featured throughout pre-season and even scored in a friendly vs Celtic. Rafa Benitez has praised Liverpool teenager Stefan Bajcetic ahead of tonight's Champions League first leg clash with Real Madrid. 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. [57] His first league win as manager came on 11 September 2010, a 21 win against Udinese at the San Siro. I should have stayed a bit longer and trusted myself, I should have. He tried to destroy my confidence. 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. Commenting on Benitez's touchline instructions, he said: "On the pitch, often I can see whats best.