Rafa Benitez Newcastle United Manager.

The Real Laoislad · August 30, 2010, 10:52:08 PM

Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudes (born 16 April 1960) is a Spanish football manager and former player, currently in charge of Internazionale having replaced José Mourinho in June 2010. He is perhaps best known for his six year spell managing Liverpool between 2004 and 2010.

Born in Madrid, Benítez played football throughout his youth and joined the Real Madrid academy. He mixed his university studies with his football career at lower division Spanish teams. He 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. Benítez moved away from Real Madrid but management spells at Real Valladolid and Osasuna were short-lived and unsuccessful.

Benítez guided Segunda División side Extremadura back to the Primera División in his first season in 1997, but the team was relegated the following season. He left the club, taking a brief break from football before returning to coach Tenerife in 2000. Benítez was appointed coach of Valencia and he proved himself to be amongst the top Spanish managers by winning La Liga in the 2001–02 season—Don Balón and El País named him Manager of the Year. In 2004, another league title and a UEFA Cup victory were added. However, a disagreement between Benítez and the club director over team investment caused the Spaniard to switch to English Premier League team Liverpool F.C.

Benítez was a high-achiever in his first season as he guided Liverpool to victory in the UEFA Champions League, the highest honour in European club football. In the following three seasons he won the FA Cup, amongst other honours, and reached the 2007 Champions League Final, but remained unable to win the Premier League, with Liverpool's best performance under Benítez a second place finish in 2008–09.

The Real Laoislad · August 30, 2010, 10:53:13 PM

Bad start for Rafa and Inter tonight,first league game of season ends in a 0-0 draw v Bologna

TacadoirArdMhacha · August 30, 2010, 11:02:18 PM

Fact.

ross4life · August 30, 2010, 11:57:19 PM

What's the reason for this love fest? his last four seasons with Liverpool ended with no trophies & last season they finished 7th a full 23 points behind Chelsea

I could understand if a thread was made for Bill Shankly,Bob Paisley, or Joe Fagan but Rafael Benitez seriously.. common on

under the bar · August 31, 2010, 09:30:24 AM

QuoteWhat's the reason for this love fest? his last four seasons with Liverpool ended with no trophies & last season they finished 7th a full 23 points behind Chelsea

Ah now, don't let failure stand in the way of a good 'scouse hero' story!

EC Unique · August 31, 2010, 11:33:46 AM

Amusing and predictable but seriously sad.

The Real Laoislad · August 31, 2010, 04:57:13 PM

Next up for Rafa is Udinese on Sept 11.

Minder · August 31, 2010, 05:02:54 PM

He will be looking for three points there alright.

TacadoirArdMhacha · August 31, 2010, 05:04:15 PM

Poor aul Rafa wasn't the worst. The joy had seemed to go out of the job for him towards the end. I don't think he's in Ferguson's or Mourinho's league as a manager but certainly he's still one of the top dozen in Europe. 2 titles with Valencia is an exceptional achievement.

ross4life · August 31, 2010, 05:04:45 PM

Better than Rafa http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/dec2008/7/9/11CD8CBE-EFAC-6530-989629FF59B6F1BC.jpg

The Real Laoislad · August 31, 2010, 05:06:23 PM

Quote from: Minder on August 31, 2010, 05:02:54 PM
He will be looking for three points there alright.

Yeah would want to be getting all 3 alright

Minder · September 22, 2010, 09:56:45 PM

Tanked Bari 4-0 tonight. Well done Rafa.

The Real Laoislad · September 27, 2010, 06:01:58 PM

Bad result against AS Roma on Saturday.

The Real Laoislad · September 29, 2010, 08:37:04 PM

3-0 up at half time v Bremen
Keep her lit Rafa

The Real Laoislad · September 29, 2010, 09:27:25 PM

4-0