[citation needed], Bentez was unable to win any trophies as Liverpool's domestic campaign falter in the winter months including a shock FA Cup exit at home to Barnsley, with his side losing to Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals. But it was Liverpool Football Club. [ VIDEO: PST unfiltered - EURO 2020 impressions; Sancho to Man United? ] The negotiations started. Looking back, I do appreciate honesty from managers. Istanbul's districts extend far from the city center along the full length of the Bosphorus (with the Black Sea at top and the Sea of Marmara at bottom). That is something I can never forget. But come the start of the season he didnt get a look in. I thought I would be staying for a lot longer.". And I would like to play there constantly.". "I scored 19 goals and I never played! Rafael Benitez predicted, in this very space, on Tuesday morning, precisely where the risk lay when it came to Liverpool v Real Madrid. Yet despite his exit, Riise does hold Benitez in the highest of regards. Who are you going to buy with pace? The 36-year-old joined the. Former Liverpool star Mark Gonzalez is recovering in hospital after suffering a heart attack, his wife has confirmed. . [97] Napoli finished third in Serie A in 201314 to qualify for the next season's Champions League. Rafael Bentez Maudes (born 16 April 1960) is a Spanish professional football manager and former player who most recently managed Premier League club Everton.. 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. 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. 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. He left the club by mutual consent in January 2021 before taking over as manager at Everton in June. I said: 'You need me now and I will always do my best. I scored against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-final. The. 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. [44] Bentez defended his decisions, arguing Liverpool's slow start was due to key players such as Steven Gerrard being below par.[45]. ". But with 47 of them coming from the substitutes' bench, and with the playmaker taken off on 53 of his 81 starts, behind the scenes he was not happy with his manager. That was why, when Pako Ayestarn (his assistant) went, they had a parting of the ways and things started to go downhill a bit.". Rafa Benitez was sacked as Everton manager on Sunday after a 2-1 loss at Norwich City. "All players want to play in such great matches and I had been playing regularly before the Carling Cup final. "In my head it's as if I've already left. 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. The Spanish gaffer delved into some of the players. [64], On 21 November 2012, following the dismissal of Roberto Di Matteo, Chelsea appointed Bentez as interim first-team manager until the end of the 201213 season. - Heart stops when I see the draw for the semi finals of the league and we drew Cardiff. The 61-year-old collapsed at his Starkville home but did not receive medical attention for between ten to 15 minutes. [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. It's a dream for me such a fantastic club have given me this opportunity. I am still very upset. But perhaps because Benitez believes in an element of. [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. 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. 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. "I'm not going to leave simply for the sake of leaving. Kimberly Goldson is getting some long overdue attention from fashion magazines for bold looks that she showed at NYFW. He didnt know I spent my whole childhood dreaming of playing for Liverpool, he didnt know I had all those memories and feelings. 1. wesap12345 3 mo. Then, when we played Birmingham after I hadn't started a game for a month, he didn't tell me I was starting until two hours before the game. 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 whatever the reason, it is clear there was a breakdown in their relationship which ultimately ended with the midfielder signing for Real Madrid. "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. [135], Bentez's preferred formation is a 4231 which he adopted during his time at Valencia and Liverpool. Liverpool came from 20 down and were losing 32 in stoppage time when Steven Gerrard scored a dramatic late equalizer. [11] These differences of opinion saw Bentez resign as Valencia coach on 1 June 2004. "When the coach says nothing to you and you are well, with no physical problems and training well, you cannot help but think it must be something personal. Real later played Cdiz in the Copa del Rey round of 32, winning away 31 in the first leg. It was no surprise that the Spaniard had quickly decided to move the striker on, and the Wales international would later reveal his problems with his manager started on day one. "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.". 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. 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. Published: 20:09, 16 Jan 2022 Updated: 20:09, 16 Jan 2022 LIVERPOOL legend Jamie Carragher was quick to take to social media to make light of Rafa Benitez's sacking at Everton. Joshua Askew -. He then left Napoli and became coach of Real Madrid in June 2015 on an initial three-year contract. [60] Despite criticism, Bentez guided Inter to win the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2010. Benitez just shook his head Id got the sack, plain and simple. But I want Liverpool fans to know the truth and for them to know I made up my mind to leave a long time ago because of Benitez. Bentez, however, later explained this gesture: he said he had previously told Xabi Alonso to take a short free-kick. 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. Yes, I would have if I were not present at the delivery. 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. 8m ESPN. As soon as training had finished I stormed over to him and ripped my gloves off in an aggressive manner. His final match was a 42 defeat to Lazio, who took the final place in the Champions League at Napoli's expense.[101]. Thank you for your three years of service, now you can call your agent to do a deal with another club.' [citation needed], Bentez has also had confrontations with Sam Allardyce when he was manager of Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers. [112] On 25 May 2016, it was confirmed that Bentez would remain as manager. End of story.". 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. [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. I have no problem talking to people. "Stevie was unbelievable playing that 10. He spoke a lot to us to change the intensity." He did start the home leg defeat against Graz, reinstated next to Hyypia as he made his first appearance of the season in the process, but after that his final three appearances for the club all came with the kids and reserves in the League Cup. 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. "I'll only leave if I go as a free agent. 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. In his second interview he said: "I do not want to make trouble with the manager. A "sell to buy" policy enforced by the ownership due to increasing debt, combined with Alonso's departure, prompted discontent amongst considerable sections of the club's fanbase who believed Bentez was not being backed sufficiently in the transfer market. [9], Valencia fans also were soon won over by Bentez after he introduced a more attacking style of play than his predecessor, Cper. [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. "I just thought, 'am I so bad that they want me to leave and they want him?'. "We have not had any talk about why it is. Rafa Benitez fell out with a number of players during his time with Liverpool, leading to many leaving the club, Follow the latest transfer news and more with our LFC newsletter. I want to know.. Goals from Casemiro and a deflection from Marcus Rashford put the Red Devils 2-0 up at half-time . I agreed to join Chelsea before Roy Hodgson was appointed Liverpool's new manager. 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. [40], Prior to Bentez's final season at Liverpool, Xabi Alonso, one of the key members of Bentez's squad, was sold to Real Madrid following a lengthy pursuit in a deal reportedly worth 30million. The euphoria of lifting the European Cup 15 years ago today is a feeling Rafael Benitez will never forget. [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. I wasnt in the mood. Well help you find another club if you like., Can I play the last matches? was all I could say. "It was such a bad season for me. [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. Making 52 appearances in 2006/07, that dropped to 25 in 2007/08 while he was frozen out in 2008/09 altogether, featuring just four times and making only two Premier League starts before being sent on loan to Portsmouth. Bentez was appointed coach of Valencia and won La Liga in the 200102 season. The situation is said to be dire and Leach may have suffered seizures. Missing a match, however big, for the birth of your first child is perfectly understandable, with it appearing the only disagreement between the two came from Benitez declining Alonsos suggestion to later link up with the squad. [18], In the Champions League, however, Liverpool fared differently. It means that, suddenly, you mess up with a simple pass because your mind is all over the place. Allardyce suggested that Bentez had signalled the game was over despite Liverpool only having a two-goal lead. He won his first league game in charge, beating Southampton 31. 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. Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has issued an apology of behalf of Djibril Cisse following his controversial behaviour at Newcastle on Sunday. [21] In doing so, Bentez became only the third manager in history (after Bob Paisley and Jos Mourinho) to win the UEFA Cup and UEFA Champions League in successive seasons, and the second Liverpool manager (after Joe Fagan) ever to win the UEFA Champions League/European Cup in his first season in charge. [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. 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. Later in the summer transfer window, Bentez signed several players from La Liga, most notably Luis Garca and Xabi Alonso, both of whom drew immediate admiration from Liverpool supporters. ago. Im a flair player and do my own thing. . I had really to become an adult very quick and adapt. I was feeling glum. His mother is Rosario Maudes. But while the striker disputed such claims, he did twice voice his grievances with some of his managers decisions to the press over the course of the season, prior to being sold to the Villans in a 6.5m deal. After leaving Liverpool in June 2010, Bentez was appointed manager of treble-winning side Inter Milan. LIVE Transfer Talk: Man United monitoring Lewandowski's future. 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. On 4 January 2016, Bentez's contract was terminated following allegations of unpopularity with supporters, displeasure with players and a failure to get good results against top sides. Bentez is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Italian. I dont think I ever really played more than three games in a row. Or when Bentez takes me off during a game even if I haven't used up all my energy on the pitch. 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. You promised you would help me but now I have a concrete offer youve not kept your word., I cannot risk it. After he ignored me for a long time, he needed me for Europe when Ryan Babel was suspended. I got more and more frustrated with him until transfer deadline day when I finally boiled over. Such a revelation damaged Bentez's relations with the Americans, with constant rumours linking the Spaniard with a move back to Real Madrid. "But if I am not playing I have no chance of going to the World Cup, so I am trying to solve the problem so I at least have a small chance.''. The 37-year-old, who retired at the end of an unsuccessful Ashes tour of England in 2015, said he would consider returning in any capacity to help out Cricket Australia (CA)."I would do anything to 419HbFo help the Australian cricket team," he told Australia's Daily Telegraph newspaper on Sunday. I understand what he was doing. A club-record 14m signing from Auxerre the same summer of Benitezs arrival, the only problem for Djibril Cisse was it was Houllier rather than the Spaniard who sanctioned the switch. Scott played in the cups. ", '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. This is nonsense and it is a fabrication that I wanted to leave the stadium. However, as the labour dragged on, the Reds boss had a decision to make as he went ahead without the midfielder and ultimately snubbed Alonsos offer to fly out on the day of the game. I told Benitez I would go if he wanted, but he told me I was important and he would give me a new contract, which I signed. 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. 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. It was never really explained to me. Imagine the pressure Id be under if that happened, Why should I care? Yet, the Spaniard is not a monster. "I have still not swallowed it. The left-backs standards had arguably slipped in his final two seasons with Liverpool as he fought with Fabio Aurelio for a starting role with only the Brazilians injury record ensuring he didnt retain the position permanently. But his constant instructions really restricted me. I hated him at the time, but Ive lost that now. From the latest transfers and match reports to training ground gossip and the running of the game, bridgeviews.co.uk offers a different perspective. [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. Rafa Benitez promised me a certain development, but very quickly he took away that promise and it was a totally different situation. Im not James Milner, who keeps it simple. Liverpool host Real on Tuesday night in the first leg of their. Ryan Babel was just 20 when he joined Liverpool from Ajax in an 11.5m deal in the summer of 2007. The club began their campaign with an unimpressive 21 aggregate win over Grazer AK in the qualifying rounds and were minutes away from going out of the competition in the group stages. [69][70][71] He appointed Boudewijn Zenden as his new assistant manager at Chelsea on the same day. After that I did another interview and said that I have to be my first critic. [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. He said: I dont want to see this'. [41] Alonso said that Bentez's attempts to sell him the previous summer were a deciding factor in his move. 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. infiniti qx80 indicator lights. May is a special month for. [100], Bentez announced that he would resign at the end of the 201415 season. Liverpool fans knew that 'Agent Rafa' would not be there more than a season, and so it has proven. Benitez swapped Liverpool for Inter Milan in 2010 and last coached in the Premier League at Newcastle before joining Chinese side Dalian Professional in 2019, leaving that role in January. I hadnt got on. "It is not true that I had or have had disputes with Bentez, but I am annoyed that when I'm fit I only warm the bench, Baros said on the eve of Istanbul. "If I'm doing something badly and you are my boss, and you value me, then you are going to come and tell me what I have to do to play again. '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. He also confirmed that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season. But, with Rafa, the training was so boring that youd come in and all youd want to do was slit your wrists! For some reason it was important that I reach 350 matches and an exact average of fifty per season. [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. In February 2007, he was caught up in a drunken fight with team-mate John Arne Riise. 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. The former Reds captain says in his new autobiography that tactically the Spaniard was . I learnt a lot. I know everyone working there will be a lot happier and I believe Roy Hodgson is a good choice. Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia they won the Champions League that following season and he was justified.. If they come back today to buy you, they need to double their offer as this is the last day of the transfer window.. 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. Benitez tried to break me like he broke Riera. 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. Cisse admitted, after joining Marseille on loan, that he did hold a grudge against Benitez for forcing him out. And I remember thinking, oh my, this is going to be trouble, this is going to be difficult for me'. Rafa Benitez spent six years at Liverpool before a shorter stint as Everton manager (PA) Rafa Benitez has admitted that he has split loyalties ahead of the Merseyside derby, refusing to. 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. Liverpool FC today confirmed that Rafael Benitez is to leave the club by mutual consent. In truth, he didnt have time to as Benitez made it clear early on that he had no future at the club. Carl Lewis? He said he understood and liked my desire to be playing so negotiations with Kln continued. Three months later he would do the exact same against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals, gifting the Londoners what would prove to be a decisive 90th minute away goal. [85] He described his relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich as "excellent" and expressed his desire to remain as Chelsea manager until the end of the season. This is the place to moan and discuss about every single thing that happened in games and with your team. 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. [114], On 24 June 2019, Newcastle announced that Bentez would step down as Manager upon the expiration of his contract, and he departed the club on 30 June 2019. [15] He was unable, however, to convince Michael Owen to extend his contract; he was subsequently sold to Real Madrid. [123], Under Benitez Everton enjoyed a winning streak across the Premier League and EFL Cup in their first four games. I can do the 100 metres in less than 11 seconds. Project Runway Season 9 Finalist, Fashion Designer: famous for my pants! But dont tell me you need pace. His dialogue with the players is practically nil. 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.. 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. 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. John Barnes is more worried about Manchester United coming to Liverpool on Sunday than he has been in recent times. Also added was England defender Glen Johnson for a 17.5million fee. An infamous attack on Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the media led some pundits and opposition supporters to suggest Bentez was "cracking up" under the pressure of a title bid. 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 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. He started to get up to go but I told him to wait for a second. I would go when everything was fine, catch a plane and show up there. 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. Keep up to date with the latest breaking news, transfer gossip and everything LFC with thousands of Reds! It was not easy, my job is not a normal job and it was not just any game, but I never regretted it. Benitez, 50, replaced Gerard Houllier as Liverpool manager in June 2004 and. Ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez linked with managerial return after Everton sacking. For the second consecutive season, he was named UEFA Manager of the Year. The lads could see I was fuming so all hung around to see what would happen. He was being honest and he said to me: Look, I want to bring in some of my own players, youre not going to be part of the XI and its unlikely youre going to get back in the team. In 2000, he was appointed manager of Tenerife of the Segunda Divisin and with a team that included Mista, Curro Torres and Luis Garca, he gained promotion to La Liga by finishing third in the league behind Sevilla and Real Betis. [124] This win was followed up with a 22 draw at Leeds United, a 21 win at Huddersfield in the EFL Cup and a 20 win against Brighton in the Premier League. "Youve got two sets of instructions in your mind and youre left wondering what to do. I knew I had to get away from Benitez. Ill have Scott and a kid from the Academy. Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has named the two players that influenced Steven Gerrard the most in his time at the club. [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.