Benitez just shook his head Id got the sack, plain and simple. That was why, when Pako Ayestarn (his assistant) went, they had a parting of the ways and things started to go downhill a bit.". "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. "We have not had any talk about why it is. 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. He left the club by mutual consent in January 2021 before taking over as manager at Everton in June. I really need to play games to be prepared for the World Cup.. "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. 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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. Wed just lost the Champions League final. [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. [41] Alonso said that Bentez's attempts to sell him the previous summer were a deciding factor in his move. 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. Or when Bentez takes me off during a game even if I haven't used up all my energy on the pitch. That's when Chelsea made an offer and the deal was done before Benitez left. That's why we played better and won the title. YOU would have got good odds on someone called Fofana saving Graham Potter from more death threats. [81] Chelsea progressed to the League Cup semi-finals with a 51 win over Leeds United at Elland Road and then recorded an 80 win over Aston Villa, equalling their record top-flight victory. At one point, rumours of Bentez quitting or being dismissed became so great that bookmakers had to suspend betting on the subject. "I was disappointed - this much is true," Baros said in an interview with a newspaper in Prague. The. The 50-year-old, who only took charge 18 months ago, finished 15 points c 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 was very young and I just needed guidance. 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 1981, Bentez joined Tercera Divisin side Parla. Which Liverpool player do you wish Rafa Benitez had never sold? I learnt a lot. I can do the 100 metres in less than 11 seconds. [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'm not one of these players that likes to sit around on the bench and just pick my money up. Perhaps the most obvious name on this list. But this season I have not played at all. I would be against myself if I made such a decision. 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. And when the fans wanted me to play, Benitez told me he couldn't understand why. 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.. 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. 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. [8], In 2001, Bentez was appointed coach of Valencia, replacing Hctor Cper. 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. [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. [60] Despite criticism, Bentez guided Inter to win the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2010. 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. [153][154][155], For the American submarine commander, see, 200104: Twice Spanish champions and UEFA Cup winners, Last edited on 19 February 2023, at 18:18, have won all three major European trophies, following season's Champions League group stage, European Coach of the YearAlf Ramsey Award, List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League winning managers, List of UEFA Cup and Europa League winning managers, "Bentez: Rafael Bentez Maudes: Manager", "Benitez On What He Can Prove At Everton", "Rafael Benitez - an adopted Scouser from Red to Blue", "Rafael Benitez - a complete profile of Liverpool FC manager Rafa Benitez", "Rafa Bentez: the early years at Extremadura and Tenerife", Caizares explica a Casillas por qu Albelda "hinch de leches" a Zidane en su debut: "Tena que saber a quin se enfrentaba", "Remembering Rafa Benitez's Valencia Side That Took Spain By Storm", "Emery joins growing band of Spanish managers", "Bentez boost as Gerrard stays at Liverpool", "Is Jamie Carragher England's best defender? [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. Rafa Benitez was sacked as Everton manager on Sunday after a 2-1 loss at Norwich City. The more we have seen of him the more impressed we have become. It was up and down but at the same time I had a great experience there. The injury saw him sidelined for a year and hampered his chances of becoming a major player. He said: I dont want to see this'. After everything the coach has put me through, I'm not going to give him that parting gift (of a fee). The manager had the option to choose between Dutch. 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. Also added was England defender Glen Johnson for a 17.5million fee. Let us know in the comments section below Albert Rieras falling out with Benitez is pretty cut and dry. Bentez is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Italian. Milan Baros finished Benitezs first season at Liverpool as the clubs top goalscorer. Rafa Benitez promised me a certain development, but very quickly he took away that promise and it was a totally different situation. 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. Home. [6], In 1986, at the age of 26, Bentez returned to Real Madrid to join the club's coaching staff. Or would it just lead to a massive media scandal? [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. Bentez still appeared to be at odds with Liverpool's owners, publicly turning down a contract extension and demanding more control over transfers. 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. Liverpool also won the FA Cup beating both Manchester United and Chelsea, as well as a thrilling 53 win against Luton Town in the third round, on the way to the final against West Ham United. "I'll only leave if I go as a free agent. ", '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. Liverpool were hit with budget restrictions in 2006, and then-reds boss Benitez was only given 10 million to spend on a right-midfielder. The manager understood my decision., Meanwhile, Benitez told his player: "When he is born, you call me and we decide. That exchange took place just days into his Liverpool career and involved Benitez asking him to write down his misdemeanours and faults. The fans could see what it meant to me. Rafa Benitez has given his verdict on Liverpool's chances of finishing in the Premier League's top four. "Rafa is a top manager and he's proven that. "I have not said I am going to leave Liverpool. 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. [3][4][5], In 1979, Bentez was selected to play for the Spain Youth U-19s at the World Student Games in Mexico City and he scored a penalty in the opening game, a 100 win against Cuba. "Yet even now they are talking about signing another centre half.". All I ever wanted to do is just to play football.". "I think he was the wrong manager at the wrong time for me. "I have still not swallowed it. Ultimately you have to trust the players once they cross the white line. [24][140], Bentez is a firm believer in squad rotation and zonal marking. I was with the national side, before the World Cup, he recalled to the Times. Only then will I be better than I am now. Surely I couldnt stay if I gave him a smack? I looked at him. "I'm not going to leave simply for the sake of leaving. [57] His first league win as manager came on 11 September 2010, a 21 win against Udinese at the San Siro. 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. This is nonsense and it is a fabrication that I wanted to leave the stadium. Rafael Benitez might have been sacked by Premier League club Everton, but the red half of Merseyside still remembers him fondly. Admittedly I never really asked the manager, but he never said anything either, never said I wasn't good enough. Arrested after drunkenly refusing to leave a bar on the same training camp that saw Bellamy assault Riise, he admitted in his autobiography that he once came close to hitting Benitez after the Spaniard blocked him from leaving the club for Koln despite his game-time being limited. He also worked as a commentator/analyst for Eurosport, Marca, El Mundo and local Madrid TV. When Allardyce was manager of Newcastle, he suggested Bentez would have been dismissed had Liverpool's European form been as bad as their league form. I should have stayed a bit longer and trusted myself, I should have. 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. Liverpool won't get a penny. [42] Alonso was immediately replaced in the squad by Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani, signed from Roma for 17million, who was recovering from a long-term injury. Bentez made a number of suggestions during Mourinho's tenure as manager that Roman Abramovich's money had bought Chelsea's success, and the pair refused to shake hands after some matches (although Mourinho declared the feud to be over after a league game in 2006). "On the day before the final game of last season at Hull, Benitez pulled me to one side after training and said: 'You will not be in the squad for this game. Liverpool paid 20m when signing Robbie Keane from Tottenham Hotspur in July 2009. Take it easy. It was never really explained to me. However, an 87th-minute goal by Steven Gerrard defeated Olympiacos 31 and saw the club progress to the last 16 on head-to-head difference. I'm a total fan of his tactical methods, and have read a lot about it. [128][129], On 9 January 2009, Bentez delivered a controversial appraisal of certain aspects of Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure, accusing Ferguson and Manchester United of being nervous because Liverpool were at the top of the league,[130] then accused the Manchester United manager of not being punished for breaking FA rules, suggesting he was "the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things",[130] referring to Ferguson not being punished following an FA charge for comments he made about officials Martin Atkinson and Keith Hackett following an FA Cup tie with Portsmouth. Its like telling (Lionel) Messi you need technique. I thought: 'No matter how the manager is treating me, I'm showing the fans the club is in my heart.' 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