I got told some interesting info about exactly why he left, so i thought i'd share it.
A couple of years ago, he went after some Scouse bird, whilst his wife was in Spain. She found out, and told him to come back to Spain permanently or she'd fuck him off.
He told Rafa, and Rafa tried to sell him, summer of 2008. It failed, and Alonso told his wife it was Rafa's fault he hadn't left, and she believed him, but gave him an ultimatum of one year, which Benitez agreed to, and knew for ages, just couldn't get the price he wanted.
Probably mostly bollocks but i thought i'd pass it on.
A couple of years ago, he went after some Scouse bird, whilst his wife was in Spain. She found out, and told him to come back to Spain permanently or she'd fuck him off.
He told Rafa, and Rafa tried to sell him, summer of 2008. It failed, and Alonso told his wife it was Rafa's fault he hadn't left, and she believed him, but gave him an ultimatum of one year, which Benitez agreed to, and knew for ages, just couldn't get the price he wanted.
Probably mostly bollocks but i thought i'd pass it on.