Poll Liverpool Manager For Next Season

[Buddha]

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=40212.msg1106749#msg1106749 date=1274339471]
There is no worse manager for us right now than Benitez. There are plenty Ross - but that's not to say he's the best manager for us at the moment.

We're heading for mid table mediocrity because of him. There are plenty of other factors behind our fall from grace, most prominently the financial constraints of the club relative to our rivals. Moreover, after a veritable car-crash of a season for us we finished comfortably beyond mid-table mediocrity.
[/quote]

There's no point in polarising the debate about Rafa's right to manage us so that he's either the worst or best manager in the world. He's had an awful season and needs to be accountable for a large share of that, but the fact remains he's managing with one arm tied behind his back and has done a decent enough job up until last season. There's no easy way forward with the club in the present financial state and a manager who's seemingly lost his way.

 

[Richey]

[quote author=Buddha link=topic=40212.msg1106888#msg1106888 date=1274360163]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=40212.msg1106749#msg1106749 date=1274339471]
There is no worse manager for us right now than Benitez. There are plenty Ross - but that's not to say he's the best manager for us at the moment.

We're heading for mid table mediocrity because of him. There are plenty of other factors behind our fall from grace, most prominently the financial constraints of the club relative to our rivals. Moreover, after a veritable car-crash of a season for us we finished comfortably beyond mid-table mediocrity.
[/quote]

There's no point in polarising the debate about Rafa's right to manage us so that he's either the worst or best manager in the world. He's had an awful season and needs to be accountable for a large share of that, but the fact remains he's managing with one arm tied behind his back and has done a decent enough job up until last season. There's no easy way forward with the club in the present financial state and a manager who's seemingly lost his way.
[/quote]

You could argue though that the fact that we are not in a good financial position suggests Benitez is not the man for us!

 

[Judge Jules]

I think that would be a pretty difficult case to make, Richey. Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes, no question, but the financial chaos in and around the boardroom has nowt to do with him. He has a far stronger case for arguing that it's affected what he's done, rather than the other way round.

 

[Le Chacal]

So he bought Keane, Dossena, Riera, Aquilani for more than £50M, failed to qualify for 2nd phase of CL, missing out on CL this year and that has nothing to do with him?

 

[Richey]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40212.msg1106892#msg1106892 date=1274360642]
I think that would be a pretty difficult case to make, Richey. Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes, no question, but the financial chaos in and around the boardroom has nowt to do with him. He has a far stronger case for arguing that it's affected what he's done, rather than the other way round.
[/quote]

It is a difficult case to prove admittedly but if we are having to accept that we are a club who are working on a constrained budget it would appear that there are managers around who are better suited to working in such circumstances

 

[Judge Jules]

Now that I do agree with.

Chacal, which bit of "Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes" didn't you understand? The point is that that has zero to do with the complete mess which the owners have made of things, and which have involved far larger sums of money than you're referring to. If you weren't so monomanic about Rafa you'd have got it the first time.

 

[Le Chacal]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40212.msg1106896#msg1106896 date=1274361379]
Now that I do agree with.

Chacal, which bit of "Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes" didn't you understand? The point is that that has zero to do with the complete mess which the owners have made of things, and which have involved far larger sums of money than you're referring to. If you weren't so monomanic about Rafa you'd have got it the first time.
[/quote]
Again, most people underestimate results on the pitch's influence. A big part of this mess started because we were poor on the pitch, therefore losing loads of cash, then raising questions about the manager, then causing disrupt at board level, etc...

 

[Buddha]

[quote author=Richey link=topic=40212.msg1106889#msg1106889 date=1274360380]
[quote author=Buddha link=topic=40212.msg1106888#msg1106888 date=1274360163]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=40212.msg1106749#msg1106749 date=1274339471]
There is no worse manager for us right now than Benitez. There are plenty Ross - but that's not to say he's the best manager for us at the moment.

We're heading for mid table mediocrity because of him. There are plenty of other factors behind our fall from grace, most prominently the financial constraints of the club relative to our rivals. Moreover, after a veritable car-crash of a season for us we finished comfortably beyond mid-table mediocrity.
[/quote]

There's no point in polarising the debate about Rafa's right to manage us so that he's either the worst or best manager in the world. He's had an awful season and needs to be accountable for a large share of that, but the fact remains he's managing with one arm tied behind his back and has done a decent enough job up until last season. There's no easy way forward with the club in the present financial state and a manager who's seemingly lost his way.
[/quote]

You could argue though that the fact that we are not in a good financial position suggests Benitez is not the man for us!
[/quote]

That's definitely open to debate. On the one hand, it's tempting to give Rafa the benefit of the doubt and give him the chance to prove last season was both his making and a blip of sorts - the previous season's 86 points with a similar squad strengthen that argument. On the other hand, with our dire financial situation and seeming lack of collective squad moral (most evident in Torres/Gerrard etc), one could argue that we need someone whose strength is in re-motivating and re-invigorating the team to see us through a tough time off the pitch - Rafa doesn't appear to be that man.

As I said earlier, it's much easier to polarise the for/against Rafa arguments than hold in tension the grey areas about him staying/going. The off-field shit adds a lot more complexity to the difficult enough decision on whether to stick or twist with management.

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106904#msg1106904 date=1274362371]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40212.msg1106896#msg1106896 date=1274361379]
Now that I do agree with.

Chacal, which bit of "Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes" didn't you understand? The point is that that has zero to do with the complete mess which the owners have made of things, and which have involved far larger sums of money than you're referring to. If you weren't so monomanic about Rafa you'd have got it the first time.
[/quote]
Again, most people underestimate results on the pitch's influence. A big part of this mess started because we were poor on the pitch, therefore losing loads of cash, then raising questions about the manager, then causing disrupt at board level, etc...
[/quote]


We were regularly in the later stagers of the CL. We finished second last year.

So what the fuck are you on about?

 

[themn]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=40212.msg1106908#msg1106908 date=1274363091]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106904#msg1106904 date=1274362371]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40212.msg1106896#msg1106896 date=1274361379]
Now that I do agree with.

Chacal, which bit of "Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes" didn't you understand? The point is that that has zero to do with the complete mess which the owners have made of things, and which have involved far larger sums of money than you're referring to. If you weren't so monomanic about Rafa you'd have got it the first time.
[/quote]
Again, most people underestimate results on the pitch's influence. A big part of this mess started because we were poor on the pitch, therefore losing loads of cash, then raising questions about the manager, then causing disrupt at board level, etc...
[/quote]


We were regularly in the later stagers of the CL. We finished second last year.

So what the fuck are you on about?
[/quote]

He's upset because he can see Jose slipping away.

 

[Le Chacal]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=40212.msg1106908#msg1106908 date=1274363091]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106904#msg1106904 date=1274362371]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40212.msg1106896#msg1106896 date=1274361379]
Now that I do agree with.

Chacal, which bit of "Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes" didn't you understand? The point is that that has zero to do with the complete mess which the owners have made of things, and which have involved far larger sums of money than you're referring to. If you weren't so monomanic about Rafa you'd have got it the first time.
[/quote]
Again, most people underestimate results on the pitch's influence. A big part of this mess started because we were poor on the pitch, therefore losing loads of cash, then raising questions about the manager, then causing disrupt at board level, etc...
[/quote]


We were regularly in the later stagers of the CL. We finished second last year.

So what the fuck are you on about?
[/quote]
It started end of 2007, we'd lost to Marseille at home in CL and were in a very complicated situation in the group. Then lost to Reading and ManU in the league.
That was the start of this long and painful saga.
This is when Rafa showed his true machiavellian colours

 

[Buddha]

[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106914#msg1106914 date=1274363757]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=40212.msg1106908#msg1106908 date=1274363091]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106904#msg1106904 date=1274362371]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40212.msg1106896#msg1106896 date=1274361379]
Now that I do agree with.

Chacal, which bit of "Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes" didn't you understand? The point is that that has zero to do with the complete mess which the owners have made of things, and which have involved far larger sums of money than you're referring to. If you weren't so monomanic about Rafa you'd have got it the first time.
[/quote]
Again, most people underestimate results on the pitch's influence. A big part of this mess started because we were poor on the pitch, therefore losing loads of cash, then raising questions about the manager, then causing disrupt at board level, etc...
[/quote]


We were regularly in the later stagers of the CL. We finished second last year.

So what the fuck are you on about?
[/quote]
It started end of 2007, we'd lost to Marseille at home in CL and were in a very complicated situation in the group. Then lost to Reading and ManU in the league.
That was the start of this long and painful saga.
This is when Rafa showed his true machiavellian colours
[/quote]

...and then we finished 2nd with 86 points (the same as Chelsea this year) the following season.

 

[Le Chacal]

[quote author=themn link=topic=40212.msg1106911#msg1106911 date=1274363524]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=40212.msg1106908#msg1106908 date=1274363091]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106904#msg1106904 date=1274362371]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40212.msg1106896#msg1106896 date=1274361379]
Now that I do agree with.

Chacal, which bit of "Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes" didn't you understand? The point is that that has zero to do with the complete mess which the owners have made of things, and which have involved far larger sums of money than you're referring to. If you weren't so monomanic about Rafa you'd have got it the first time.
[/quote]
Again, most people underestimate results on the pitch's influence. A big part of this mess started because we were poor on the pitch, therefore losing loads of cash, then raising questions about the manager, then causing disrupt at board level, etc...
[/quote]


We were regularly in the later stagers of the CL. We finished second last year.

So what the fuck are you on about?
[/quote]

He's upset because he can see Jose slipping away.
[/quote]
I saw Jose slipping away when the stupid yanks gave Rafa a silly contract last year.
Jose to Real was always the biggest probability

 

[Le Chacal]

[quote author=Buddha link=topic=40212.msg1106915#msg1106915 date=1274363957]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106914#msg1106914 date=1274363757]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=40212.msg1106908#msg1106908 date=1274363091]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106904#msg1106904 date=1274362371]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40212.msg1106896#msg1106896 date=1274361379]
Now that I do agree with.

Chacal, which bit of "Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes" didn't you understand? The point is that that has zero to do with the complete mess which the owners have made of things, and which have involved far larger sums of money than you're referring to. If you weren't so monomanic about Rafa you'd have got it the first time.
[/quote]
Again, most people underestimate results on the pitch's influence. A big part of this mess started because we were poor on the pitch, therefore losing loads of cash, then raising questions about the manager, then causing disrupt at board level, etc...
[/quote]


We were regularly in the later stagers of the CL. We finished second last year.

So what the fuck are you on about?
[/quote]
It started end of 2007, we'd lost to Marseille at home in CL and were in a very complicated situation in the group. Then lost to Reading and ManU in the league.
That was the start of this long and painful saga.
This is when Rafa showed his true machiavellian colours
[/quote]

...and then we finished 2nd with 86 points (the same as Chelsea this year) the following season.
[/quote]
Read my signature.
Rafa lost us the title last year. Finishing 2nd and zero trophy is not an achievement

 

[Squiggles]

[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106917#msg1106917 date=1274364348]
[quote author=Buddha link=topic=40212.msg1106915#msg1106915 date=1274363957]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106914#msg1106914 date=1274363757]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=40212.msg1106908#msg1106908 date=1274363091]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106904#msg1106904 date=1274362371]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40212.msg1106896#msg1106896 date=1274361379]
Now that I do agree with.

Chacal, which bit of "Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes" didn't you understand? The point is that that has zero to do with the complete mess which the owners have made of things, and which have involved far larger sums of money than you're referring to. If you weren't so monomanic about Rafa you'd have got it the first time.
[/quote]
Again, most people underestimate results on the pitch's influence. A big part of this mess started because we were poor on the pitch, therefore losing loads of cash, then raising questions about the manager, then causing disrupt at board level, etc...
[/quote]


We were regularly in the later stagers of the CL. We finished second last year.

So what the fuck are you on about?
[/quote]
It started end of 2007, we'd lost to Marseille at home in CL and were in a very complicated situation in the group. Then lost to Reading and ManU in the league.
That was the start of this long and painful saga.
This is when Rafa showed his true machiavellian colours
[/quote]

...and then we finished 2nd with 86 points (the same as Chelsea this year) the following season.
[/quote]
Read my signature.
Rafa lost us the title last year. Finishing 2nd and zero trophy is not an achievement
[/quote]

It does serve to completely undermine the point you're haplessly trying to make though.

You're hatred of Rafa is making you look a bit mental.

 

[themn]

[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106916#msg1106916 date=1274364183]
[quote author=themn link=topic=40212.msg1106911#msg1106911 date=1274363524]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=40212.msg1106908#msg1106908 date=1274363091]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106904#msg1106904 date=1274362371]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40212.msg1106896#msg1106896 date=1274361379]
Now that I do agree with.

Chacal, which bit of "Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes" didn't you understand? The point is that that has zero to do with the complete mess which the owners have made of things, and which have involved far larger sums of money than you're referring to. If you weren't so monomanic about Rafa you'd have got it the first time.
[/quote]
Again, most people underestimate results on the pitch's influence. A big part of this mess started because we were poor on the pitch, therefore losing loads of cash, then raising questions about the manager, then causing disrupt at board level, etc...
[/quote]


We were regularly in the later stagers of the CL. We finished second last year.

So what the fuck are you on about?
[/quote]

He's upset because he can see Jose slipping away.
[/quote]
I saw Jose slipping away when the stupid yanks gave Rafa a silly contract last year.
Jose to Real was always the biggest probability
[/quote]

So why have you been quacking on about him coming, all year ?

 

[Le Chacal]

[quote author=themn link=topic=40212.msg1106921#msg1106921 date=1274364589]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106916#msg1106916 date=1274364183]
[quote author=themn link=topic=40212.msg1106911#msg1106911 date=1274363524]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=40212.msg1106908#msg1106908 date=1274363091]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106904#msg1106904 date=1274362371]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40212.msg1106896#msg1106896 date=1274361379]
Now that I do agree with.

Chacal, which bit of "Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes" didn't you understand? The point is that that has zero to do with the complete mess which the owners have made of things, and which have involved far larger sums of money than you're referring to. If you weren't so monomanic about Rafa you'd have got it the first time.
[/quote]
Again, most people underestimate results on the pitch's influence. A big part of this mess started because we were poor on the pitch, therefore losing loads of cash, then raising questions about the manager, then causing disrupt at board level, etc...
[/quote]


We were regularly in the later stagers of the CL. We finished second last year.

So what the fuck are you on about?
[/quote]

He's upset because he can see Jose slipping away.
[/quote]
I saw Jose slipping away when the stupid yanks gave Rafa a silly contract last year.
Jose to Real was always the biggest probability
[/quote]

So why have you been quacking on about him coming, all year ?
[/quote]
Well, its a forum isnt it?
I'd like him to be our manager. I've been saying he's the man for us for years.
There is still little hope he'd chose us instead of Real.
Very slim chances i agree but we never know.

Squiggles: Some posters on here have been, especially recently, a lot more harsher on Rafa than I have.
Its only my opinion that Rafa's management is the main reason why we are where we are now. Its mainly footballing reasons.
He lost us the CL final in 2007 and the title last year. We would talk a lot less about the yanks had he won these 2 trophies.

 

[themn]

[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106932#msg1106932 date=1274365400]
[quote author=themn link=topic=40212.msg1106921#msg1106921 date=1274364589]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106916#msg1106916 date=1274364183]
[quote author=themn link=topic=40212.msg1106911#msg1106911 date=1274363524]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=40212.msg1106908#msg1106908 date=1274363091]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106904#msg1106904 date=1274362371]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40212.msg1106896#msg1106896 date=1274361379]
Now that I do agree with.

Chacal, which bit of "Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes" didn't you understand? The point is that that has zero to do with the complete mess which the owners have made of things, and which have involved far larger sums of money than you're referring to. If you weren't so monomanic about Rafa you'd have got it the first time.
[/quote]
Again, most people underestimate results on the pitch's influence. A big part of this mess started because we were poor on the pitch, therefore losing loads of cash, then raising questions about the manager, then causing disrupt at board level, etc...
[/quote]


We were regularly in the later stagers of the CL. We finished second last year.

So what the fuck are you on about?
[/quote]

He's upset because he can see Jose slipping away.
[/quote]
I saw Jose slipping away when the stupid yanks gave Rafa a silly contract last year.
Jose to Real was always the biggest probability
[/quote]

So why have you been quacking on about him coming, all year ?
[/quote]
Well, its a forum isnt it?
I'd like him to be our manager. I've been saying he's the man for us for years.
There is still little hope he'd chose us instead of Real.
Very slim chances i agree but we never know.

Squiggles: Some posters on here have been, especially recently, a lot more harsher on Rafa than I have.
Its only my opinion that Rafa's management is the main reason why we are where we are now. Its mainly footballing reasons.
He lost us the CL final in 2007 and the title last year. We would talk a lot less about the yanks had he won these 2 trophies.
[/quote]

Well I'd like to be able to fly but, ya know ?

 

[Le Chacal]

[quote author=themn link=topic=40212.msg1106933#msg1106933 date=1274365544]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106932#msg1106932 date=1274365400]
[quote author=themn link=topic=40212.msg1106921#msg1106921 date=1274364589]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106916#msg1106916 date=1274364183]
[quote author=themn link=topic=40212.msg1106911#msg1106911 date=1274363524]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=40212.msg1106908#msg1106908 date=1274363091]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106904#msg1106904 date=1274362371]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40212.msg1106896#msg1106896 date=1274361379]
Now that I do agree with.

Chacal, which bit of "Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes" didn't you understand? The point is that that has zero to do with the complete mess which the owners have made of things, and which have involved far larger sums of money than you're referring to. If you weren't so monomanic about Rafa you'd have got it the first time.
[/quote]
Again, most people underestimate results on the pitch's influence. A big part of this mess started because we were poor on the pitch, therefore losing loads of cash, then raising questions about the manager, then causing disrupt at board level, etc...
[/quote]


We were regularly in the later stagers of the CL. We finished second last year.

So what the fuck are you on about?
[/quote]

He's upset because he can see Jose slipping away.
[/quote]
I saw Jose slipping away when the stupid yanks gave Rafa a silly contract last year.
Jose to Real was always the biggest probability
[/quote]

So why have you been quacking on about him coming, all year ?
[/quote]
Well, its a forum isnt it?
I'd like him to be our manager. I've been saying he's the man for us for years.
There is still little hope he'd chose us instead of Real.
Very slim chances i agree but we never know.

Squiggles: Some posters on here have been, especially recently, a lot more harsher on Rafa than I have.
Its only my opinion that Rafa's management is the main reason why we are where we are now. Its mainly footballing reasons.
He lost us the CL final in 2007 and the title last year. We would talk a lot less about the yanks had he won these 2 trophies.
[/quote]

Well I'd like to be able to fly but, ya know ?
[/quote]
La fin ?

 

[themn]

[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106934#msg1106934 date=1274365676]
[quote author=themn link=topic=40212.msg1106933#msg1106933 date=1274365544]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106932#msg1106932 date=1274365400]
[quote author=themn link=topic=40212.msg1106921#msg1106921 date=1274364589]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106916#msg1106916 date=1274364183]
[quote author=themn link=topic=40212.msg1106911#msg1106911 date=1274363524]
[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=40212.msg1106908#msg1106908 date=1274363091]
[quote author=Le Chacal link=topic=40212.msg1106904#msg1106904 date=1274362371]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40212.msg1106896#msg1106896 date=1274361379]
Now that I do agree with.

Chacal, which bit of "Rafa's made plenty of his own mistakes" didn't you understand? The point is that that has zero to do with the complete mess which the owners have made of things, and which have involved far larger sums of money than you're referring to. If you weren't so monomanic about Rafa you'd have got it the first time.
[/quote]
Again, most people underestimate results on the pitch's influence. A big part of this mess started because we were poor on the pitch, therefore losing loads of cash, then raising questions about the manager, then causing disrupt at board level, etc...
[/quote]


We were regularly in the later stagers of the CL. We finished second last year.

So what the fuck are you on about?
[/quote]

He's upset because he can see Jose slipping away.
[/quote]
I saw Jose slipping away when the stupid yanks gave Rafa a silly contract last year.
Jose to Real was always the biggest probability
[/quote]

So why have you been quacking on about him coming, all year ?
[/quote]
Well, its a forum isnt it?
I'd like him to be our manager. I've been saying he's the man for us for years.
There is still little hope he'd chose us instead of Real.
Very slim chances i agree but we never know.

Squiggles: Some posters on here have been, especially recently, a lot more harsher on Rafa than I have.
Its only my opinion that Rafa's management is the main reason why we are where we are now. Its mainly footballing reasons.
He lost us the CL final in 2007 and the title last year. We would talk a lot less about the yanks had he won these 2 trophies.
[/quote]

Well I'd like to be able to fly but, ya know ?
[/quote]
La fin ?
[/quote]

Yeah, laffin at you.

 

[Fox]

It's going to be fucking Rafa isn't it

pissed off, really wanted a new manager for us

 

[Avmenon]

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=40212.msg1106749#msg1106749 date=1274339471]
There is no worse manager for us right now than Benitez.

We're heading for mid table mediocrity because of him.
[/quote]

 

[RolandG]

Mourinho is going to Real? Now consider Real's recent history with coaches. Del Bosce won both the league and CL. Capello won the league. Still both got sacked. Mourinho has a reputation as a fierce character. Add that he won't be in control of player transfers which is going to be a problem. Recent history doesn't augur well for him. After a season he could be looking for a new job. This could be Rafa's last season depending on factors beyond his control. We may yet see Mourinho in the Premiership sooner rather than later.

 

[Avmenon]

Oh, he definitely will be back in England.

Just not at Anfield.

 

[the count]

Rafa Benitez is staying at Liverpool.

After weeks of speculation about his future friends say he wants to remain on Merseyside “if he is allowedâ€.

Rafa Benitez makes his case for the defence: an exclusive interview by Guillem Balague

Juventus and Inter Milan have wanted to end his six years in charge of Liverpool, but despite a difficult season Benitez has decided he will continue at Anfield.

Controversial American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are looking to sell up, but Benitez is prepared to deal with the uncertainty believing he can take the club back into the top four and challenge for major trophies.




Rafa Benitez makes his case for the defence: an exclusive interview by Guillem Balague


Rafa Benitez has launched a passionate defence of his ­Liverpool record as he prepares to extend his stay at Anfield.

The Liverpool chief, who arrived at the club in 2004 and led them to an incredible Champions League victory at the end of his first season, insists he does not deserve the increasingly hostile criticism his reign has received.

Rafa Benitez will stay at Liverpool... if they want him - Exclusive

When Liverpool won the FA Cup the following year Benitez became the first manager in the club’s history to win a trophy in each one of his first two seasons, and he says: “There is this legend that Liverpool hasn’t won many trophies, that we have failed in that aspect. Well, Chelsea and Manchester United have won 10 trophies in the six years I’ve been in Liverpool; Arsenal, Spurs and ­Portsmouth one.

“Liverpool? Four trophies and we have played in three finals. Liverpool have been competitiveâ€.

Now he wants to fight on, taking the club as far as he can despite having smaller budgets than his rivals. Benitez revealed he feels his methods are misunderstood and his achievements underestimated during one of the toughest periods in the recent history of the club.

He responded to ­accusations that he employs defensive or negative tactics, by pointing out his side has scored 61.8 goals per season in the league and an average of 97.5 in all competitions during his time at the club and asks: “Does Liverpool have to win the league, as everybody demands, every year?â€

Benitez added that in two of his six seasons at Anfield, their record points tally for a season has been broken.

But the Spaniard has been reckons he has not always had as much control that he would have liked at the club.

“Does the manager have absolute power in England?†said Benitez, “No, it depends on a budget and on the executive director that ­negotiates the signings of players.

“And it depends on the money you have and the intelligence with which you operate in the market place.

“Look at the wages picked up by the players on Chelsea or Manchester United’s substitutes bench: Obi Mikel, Owen, Kalou, Berbatov, Carrick could be on £4m a year!

“When Portsmouth offered Peter Crouch more money than we were paying him and promised him a starting place, it became very ­complicated for us to keep hold of him. The arrival of Fernando Torres meant he couldn’t play as often at Liverpool.â€

Benitez has been accused of signing bad players, but an inability to compete with the game’s top spenders and a lack of funds meant he was unable to complete the ­signings of several players.

Instead of Dani Alves, Florent Malouda, Jack Rodwell and Gareth Barry Liverpool often have often ended up with the manager’s back-up options.

“That is always a risk when expectations and demands are so high†added Benitez.

He also claims to have turned Liverpool into one of the most valuable sporting assets in the world. When he arrived, he was told the club was valued at £80million. According to the American owner’s asking price, it is now worth £500m.

Likewise, the squad’s value has increased from £100m to £300m.

“Some people say I have spent £280m,†said Benitez. “But we have spent £220m on players and generated £160m in player sales. That is the equivalent of a £60m net spend over six years: in other words, £10m spent per year. Deduct from that figure the £120m revenue from the Champions League success and qualification over that period, and we have in fact generated an additional £60m benefits for the club.â€

Benitez took control of the Anfield youth set-up only last year. He said: “Only four players from the Liverpool academy – Warnock, Gerrard, Owen and Carragher – from the last 13 years play in the Premier League.

“We have spent £5m on young players in six years – Arsenal has spent £15m on Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey alone.â€



http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Rafa-Benitez-will-stay-at-Liverpool-if-they-want-him-Exclusive-by-Guillem-Balague-article433603.html

 

[Rosco]

And Arsenal didn't spend 20 fucking million on Robbie Keane you dopey twat.

If I ever have the pleasure of meeting Benitez I'm going to punch him square in the face.

 

[Delinquent]

We don't want you Rafa. Go away.

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=40212.msg1107709#msg1107709 date=1274518289]
And Arsenal didn't spend 20 fucking million on Robbie Keane you dopey twat.

If I ever have the pleasure of meeting Benitez I'm going to punch him square in the face.


[/quote]

I had a bet with myself that you'd be the first to reply to this thread. ;D

 

[Vlads Quiff]

This Crouch thing is starting to rankle with me. He now clearly sees it as a massive mistake and is trying to justify it.
It was nothing to do with Portsmouth offering him more money and guaranteed games. Crouch just wanted a fair crack of the whip, nothing more, and the frequency he was left on the bench behind Voronin and Kuyt was the problem.
Rafa seemed to do his utmost to avoid playing him with Torres, who knows what partnership it might have been,

regards

 

[Rosco]

the sad thing is Vlad there's a world full of idiots who'll recite his rewritten version of events in an effort to defend him.