Rafael Benitez Discussion Thread

We can't compare the two yet. Rodgers' exciting team is obviously easier on the eye and will hopefully win the league but hasn't won anything yet. I'd like us to get our place back amongst the European elite (as we did 2005-2009) but this time with league success. There is nothing boring about winning and Barcelona/Madrid/Old Trafford and handsomely.

To be fair Rodgers looks more likely to win the league than Rafa ever did but he has not had Fergie to contend with this season which may or may not have impacted on matters.

If they win the cup on the 2nd of May then that's a perfectly sound season alongside champions league qualification. Would you prefer Klopp/Mourinho seasons which look like ending with no trophies at all?

Rafa's opened up on Mourinho. Basically said he wins by spending trillions. Mourinho you sham of a man.

It was a great win for Rafa and Napoli yesterday. Goes a long way to securing Champions League with a 12 point gap over Fiorentina with 7 fixtures remaining.

Rafa's opened up on Mourinho. Basically said he wins by spending trillions. Mourinho you sham of a man.

Got a link mate?

Benitez: Mourinho failed in Europe with Madrid

Rafael Benitez has criticised Jose Mourinho’s Champions League record during his time with Real Madrid.

 Marca reports that Benitez has told the official website of his current employers, Napoli, that Mourinho failed in Europe with Chelsea as well.

“Mourinho talks a lot about many people but I prefer to talk about facts,” Benitez said, in response to past Mourinho comments about Chelsea’s Europa League win under Benitez, Marca suggests.

“Mainly that Liverpool eliminated Chelsea from the Champions League with a team with half the budget than theirs.”

Benitez was referring to a game played in 2005, when Liverpool went on to win the trophy.

A goalless draw at Stamford preceded a 1-0 win for the Reds at Anfield before Liverpool beat Milan on penalties in the final.

Benitez was similarly unimpressed by Mourinho’s European performances on the Madrid bench.

“He had an extremely strong and expensive Real Madrid and left the club without winning the Champions League,” Benitez pointed out.

“In three years at Madrid he did nothing in Europe.”

Benitez concluded by hinting Mourinho needs vast amounts of money to be a success in continental competition.

“Maybe if Mourinho sells Eden Hazard and Oscar for €360m to build another team, he will succeed in something,” the ex-Valencia Coach said.

Eurosport/Marca.

Ouch

love Rafa cant stand Maureen simples

We can't compare the two yet. Rodgers' exciting team is obviously easier on the eye and will hopefully win the league but hasn't won anything yet. I'd like us to get our place back amongst the European elite (as we did 2005-2009) but this time with league success. There is nothing boring about winning and Barcelona/Madrid/Old Trafford and handsomely.

To be fair Rodgers looks more likely to win the league than Rafa ever did but he has not had Fergie to contend with this season which may or may not have impacted on matters.

If they win the cup on the 2nd of May then that's a perfectly sound season alongside champions league qualification. Would you prefer Klopp/Mourinho seasons which look like ending with no trophies at all?

I'll be honest I'm a massive fan of both managers, I don't see the need to choose between them.
I'll always be grateful to Rafa for his time here and hold him in the highest of regard but right now I wouldn't swap Rodgers for anybody.
It's interesting what you say about us being more likely to win the league under Rodgers, i agree actually but I would temper that with also suggesting we would be more likely to be successful under Rafa in continental football than Brendan's approach.

As I said I hold Rafa in the highest of regard still and always will. In glad he is going well and always hope for him to do so

We can't compare the two yet. Rodgers' exciting team is obviously easier on the eye and will hopefully win the league but hasn't won anything yet

We're not comparing them. The question is would anyone rather us go for the league in the manner we are now, or go for it in the slow build up, two defensive midfielder, rigid 4-5-1 formation, with multiple draws as a result? I think the unanimous answer is that we would prefer Brendan's approach in leading us towards the title.

We're not comparing them. The question is would anyone rather us go for the league in the manner we are now, or go for it in the slow build up, two defensive midfielder, rigid 4-5-1 formation, with multiple draws as a result? I think the unanimous answer is that we would prefer Brendan's approach in leading us towards the title.

In 2008-2009 we beat Utd home and away (4-1), Chelsea home and away. They were stronger then than they are now and so were Arsenal. We were fighting on all fronts  (Q/F of CL). BR has done a great job but we have been playing only for the league and people can decide whether the league is a strong now as then. BR has done a brilliant job as did Rafa. What you want is for people to rubbish Rafa and honestly why would any Reds fan do that?
If H&G hadn't come in I think he would have won the league no doubt about it. I mean even in 2008-09 we had Robbie Keane. Rafa didn't want Robbie Keane. He had to win his own money in the CL and then have it taken form him.

We're not comparing them. The question is would anyone rather us go for the league in the manner we are now, or go for it in the slow build up, two defensive midfielder, rigid 4-5-1 formation, with multiple draws as a result? I think the unanimous answer is that we would prefer Brendan's approach in leading us towards the title.

I know, that time under Rafa having the best attack and third best defence in the league was awful, talk about trying to have the best of both worlds. 

We're not comparing them. The question is would anyone rather us go for the league in the manner we are now, or go for it in the slow build up, two defensive midfielder, rigid 4-5-1 formation, with multiple draws as a result? I think the unanimous answer is that we would prefer Brendan's approach in leading us towards the title.

You ask this question in 2009, this very date and everyone will say they prefer Rafa's approach. You ask this question today, and everyone will say Brendan. Simple as that. No disrespect to any manager. Both  have very effective methodology. Both are result oriented. One is a legend and other one is in the making.

love Rafa cant stand Maureen simples

I second that Walton.

Our man has branded Mourinho ''a specialist in failure''. (Daily Mirror)

Benni on the money again.

Top man Rafa.

In 2008-2009 we beat Utd home and away (4-1), Chelsea home and away. They were stronger then than they are now and so were Arsenal.

We were stronger too though, to be fair. That midfield of Mascherano, Alonso and Gerrard all in their prime was much stronger than Gerrard, Henderson and Coutinho are now, for example. If anything, other than United being much weaker, it seems Chelsea, Arsenal and us are all proportional to each other.

the thing about Maureen is its all about him and his desire to create his own history regardless of what club he is at.He will win things if you give him money but with the door wide open at Old Trafford last June why did they shut it in front of him and pick Moyes.the simple answer is he cant stay anywhere long enough to build a legacy.

two defensive midfielder, rigid 4-5-1 formation

4-2-3-1 actually, get it right!

https://twitter.com/MostarLFC/status/456028838477049856

Happy birthday Rafa.

Happy birthday Rafa. Always welcome always loved always respected at Anfield.

Ra ra ra Rafa Benitez
Ra ra ra Rafa Benitez................. .......

Feliz cumpleanos Rafa.

Happy birthday Rafa 

Happy birthday Rafa!