[97] Napoli finished third in Serie A in 201314 to qualify for the next season's Champions League. [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. The only problem was the media, he insisted. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez leaves by mutual consent Xabi Alonsos relationship with Benitez is a curious one. In some ways, it is a surprise that Benitez lasted this long. [18], In the Champions League, however, Liverpool fared differently. 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. Admittedly I never really asked the manager, but he never said anything either, never said I wasn't good enough. Bentez is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Italian. [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. Benitez just shook his head Id got the sack, plain and simple. He also played a further three games for the Spain Universities XI. When that starts happening, you have to assume it is something personal, rather than professional. End of story.". His dialogue with the players is practically nil. ", "Rafael Benitez's Istanbul memories | Tactics, Gerrard switch and trophy lift", "Motion expert says Garcia's shot did cross the line", "Top 20 sporting moments of the decade: Liverpool's 'Miracle of Istanbul', "Benitez Uncovered: Inside The Dressing Room On That Amazing Night In Istanbul", "Rafa's Boys: How Successful Was Benitez in the Transfer Market? 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. "[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. They thought I was playing well but Benitez told me he was surprised the fans booed because I was not good enough. 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. 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. 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). Starting the following season strongly, his manager even called for him to be given an England call-up. [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. He was different class, the amount of goals and assists that he got. I still dont know his real reasons. But to this day I still think I should have stayed. "Honestly, Rafa was a nightmare like that. And whatever the reason, it is clear there was a breakdown in their relationship which ultimately ended with the midfielder signing for Real Madrid. "It was such a bad season for me. Down to 9 men we go on the attack and with a Jean Makoun . Would he let me go? Imagine the pressure Id be under if that happened, Why should I care? 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. Due to this unbeaten run, Benitez was nominated for the Manager of the Month award. He told me I was a better player as a substitute instead of starting in the team. "All players want to play in such great matches and I had been playing regularly before the Carling Cup final. "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. Mr Benitez relinquishes his position as team manager after six years and the Board of Directors would. Riera would later blame the media for the breakdown in his relationship with Benitez when speaking to Anfield HQ in 2016. Liverpool fans knew all along about Rafa Benitez and Everton as cruel However, like in Murphys case with Alonso and Garcia, Benitez could again claim to have made the right call as his decision to sideline Henchoz ultimately came hand-in-hand with the inspired switch to move Jamie Carragher back to centre-back, with the Liverpool legends own partnership with Hyypia usurping Houlliers previous duo. [26], Supporters and manager joined to welcome new owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, with the hope the new owners would bring funding for new players and a new stadium. After that I did another interview and said that I have to be my first critic. Writing in his autobiography, he described the Spaniard as the "most difficult" manager he played for, criticising him over his lack of man-management skills, claiming he only ever had one proper conversation with him. May is a special month for. Ill have Scott and a kid from the Academy. A 7th place league finish and a group stage exit in the Champions League ended Rafa Benitez's time on Merseyside. "The fans don't know" - Rafa Benitez claims Liverpool refused to It was up and down but at the same time I had a great experience there. Hardly the sort of character you can see embracing the Spaniards totalitarian style. 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. Goals from Casemiro and a deflection from Marcus Rashford put the Red Devils 2-0 up at half-time . He could never let me do my thing. Bentez speaking in 2020 on winning the 2005 Champions League Final. And when the fans wanted me to play, Benitez told me he couldn't understand why. An unused substitute in the Spaniards first two games against Grazer AK and Tottenham Hotspur, he rarely made a matchday squad appearance after. [144], Bentez instigated a host of backroom changes at the end of the 200809 season to improve the club's youth development, including the appointment of club legend Kenny Dalglish in a senior role at the academy. All of a sudden youre confused. 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. "[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. bridge views - the thinking fan's chelsea blog: Terry 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. Claiming Liverpool were sinking ship under Benitez in March 2010, he said: "I've been here two years and I know how he (Benitez) is. After he ignored me for a long time, he needed me for Europe when Ryan Babel was suspended. 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. I knew I had to get away from Benitez. I thought I would be staying for a lot longer.". Carragher leads Liverpool fans mocking Everton over 'agent' Rafa I say by myself on the plane back to England the next day. I dont think people in England ever saw the best of me. Bentez said that he had jokingly signalled to Alonso to ignore his instructions and not that he thought the game was effectively over. Benitez was in charge at Anfield from 2004 to 2010, winning. Then the consequences of doing so flashed through my mind. Bentez was appointed coach of Valencia and won La Liga in the 200102 season. It was the same for me. 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. Bentez still appeared to be at odds with Liverpool's owners, publicly turning down a contract extension and demanding more control over transfers. 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. [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. [98][99] They lost 42 on aggregate to Athletic Bilbao in the qualifying stages, thus entering the Europa League. I said: 'You need me now and I will always do my best. I scored against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-final. "And maybe, after 10 days training with him, well, that's when I started asking questions. Rafa Benitez was sacked as Everton manager on Sunday after a 2-1 loss at Norwich City. However, the current Blues boss has taken . 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. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Whether it was wrong or right to let him go or whether his time in charge of Liverpool could be considered a success or not . Milan Baros finished Benitez's first season at Liverpool as the club's top goalscorer. Maybe I will never swallow it. Rafael Benitez's last interview as Everton boss. Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has issued an apology of behalf of Djibril Cisse following his controversial behaviour at Newcastle on Sunday. Pennant simply wrote "GIRLS" in capital letters - and it was downhill for him from there. The negotiations started. [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. Im not a defensive midfielder. Steven Gerrard, who was linked with a big money move to Chelsea, needed to be convinced . [7], During the 199293 season, Bentez also worked as an assistant coach to Mariano Garca Remn at Real Madrid B. The centre-back had been first-choice under Houllier, forming a brilliant partnership alongside Sami Hyypia, and its no coincidence that Liverpools form under the Frenchman faltered when the Switzerland international endured prolonged periods on the sidelines through injury. He also worked as a commentator/analyst for Eurosport, Marca, El Mundo and local Madrid TV. I just tried to put the ball there and Ivanovic did the rest. [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. 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. You said youd help me. 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. Rafa just didnt understand. It was such a special, important moment that I took the decision that I needed to be there, Alonso explained. Despite this, poor results in the Champions League and a disagreement over future transfers lead to a public falling-out with the club's owners, which played out in the media at the end of November. Former Liverpool star Mark Gonzalez is recovering in hospital after suffering a heart attack, his wife has confirmed. Raphael Varane hands Manchester United injury scare ahead of Liverpool clash, Manchester United have been dealt a late injury scare ahead of their Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, Why Everton fans have 'spared' Amadou Onana as Sean Dyche juggles centre-backs, Here's your Everton FC evening headlines as Amadou Onana acknowledges fan support and Sean Dyche balances his centre-backs, Liverpool told how they can still sign Moises Caicedo as summer transfer stance emerges, Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Moises Caicedo despite the midfielder signing a new contract with Brighton & Hove Albion, ITV Loose Women's Carol McGiffin explains appearance change as fans concerned, The panelist lifted the lid on her "drama", Live updates as police and ambulance surround rock climbing gym, An air ambulance was also seen landing close to the scene, Emmerdale fans taken aback as Lucy Pargeter shares real age, The Chas Dingle star has appeared in Emmerdale since 2002, Coronation Street character to look totally different in return to cobbles, It'll be the first time viewers have seen him in six years, Coronation Street fans demand to know where they've seen newcomer before, Many viewers took to social media to ask where they recognised Sarah Platt's new business partner from, BBC The Wheel fans say it's 'not fair' as player loses 45,000 before end of episode, Some viewers thought Rhonda should have won, Ant and Dec in stitches after dad shares mother-in-law's name in contacts, Ant and Dec burst into laughter as Naz from Wirral revealed the name, Tiny Merseyside brewery supplying beer to Michelin star restaurants, Julie and Les O'Grady decided to leave behind their successful aquatics company to start a brewery, Jurgen Klopp and Erik ten Hag send message to fans over 'poison' chants before Liverpool vs Man United, Liverpool and Manchester United have released a joint statement referring to inappropriate chants heard at previous meetings, Police called after car crashes into building, Pictures show damage to the exterior of the building on Pembroke Place, Family's old hen-party tradition on busy city centre street, The Scottish tradition aims to bring good luck and fertility to marriage life, Lost 90s nightclub with 95p drinks that replaced iconic Fallows, It hailed itself as Liverpool's newest 'twin scene discotheque', Bent system cost Merseyside town thousands when asking for Government help, Sefton Council has had to self fund its most recent and unsuccessful Levelling Up Fund bids while other Merseyside areas received money to prepare applications, I made salt and pepper chicken in the air fryer after being promised a super easy recipe, Air fryers have become increasingly popular so I decided to dust mine off and use it, Paedo answered door naked to schoolchildren after grooming them with vapes, Serial offender performed sex acts at his doorstep and sexually assaulted 12-year-old girl, Meet the doctor who travels the world helping those in need, "I think he was just so scarred from what had happened to him. During the 199697 season, Bentez took charge at Osasuna in the Segunda Divisin, but after only nine games and one win, he was dismissed. 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. 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. "I believe in these situations it is better to talk about it and try to fix it, or at least make sure everyone knows where they stand. Youve got some instructions and tactics in your mind and yet hes shouting even more at you. 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. "When I went there (Liverpool) I was told myself and Torres (would start) and Stevie would drop into the midfield but obviously as it went on I think Rafa liked Stevie playing that no.10. The season also saw Bentez make his debut in the Champions League, where his side reached the quarter-finals, losing to Inter Milan. Bentez left the club "by mutual consent" on 3 June 2010[50] with a reported 6million pay-off;[51] the media speculated that this was because the team had finished seventh in the Premier League, missing out on the Champions League, and suffered poor results, including the defeat by Wigan Athletic. It was another short-lived appointment and on 4 January 2016, he was dismissed following a 22 draw against his former club, Valencia. I was with the national side, before the World Cup, he recalled to the Times. The euphoria of lifting the European Cup 15 years ago today is a feeling Rafael Benitez will never forget. Given his past, the manager was a controversial choice. This is the place to moan and discuss about every single thing that happened in games and with your team. He said: I dont want to see this'. Punching a Liverpool manager who had won the European Cup only a few months earlier wouldnt have looked too good on the CV I guess, but I was still angry.