If I were Rafael Benitez I think I would say to the Liverpool fans and the American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks:
What do you want me to do?
I’ve taken your club to the final of the European Champions League twice in the past three years and won it once. I can get a well paid job back in Spain where I will not be under a constant pressure to win everything! So get off my back.
Before the amazing Champions League victory over AC Milan, the Liverpool fans and board were crying out to be recognised as one of the best teams in Europe again. They were continually harking back to the 1970’s and 1980’s, Toshack and Keegan, Dalglish, Rush and super-sub David Fairclough in much the same way as Leeds fans go on and on about Don Revie, Billy Bremner and Johnny Giles.
Then, with Rafael Benitez finest hour, Liverpool fans went crazy. A fifth European Cup/Champions League victory had Radio 1 dj Colin Murray having a tattoo of 5 lines on his forearm to show off at Glastonbury!
Except for victory in the UEFA Cup in 2001, the other amazing European final game, against Alves, which they won 5-4, Liverpool had not been in a European final since 1985 and the Heysel Stadium tragedy which they lost under difficult circumstances to Juventus, 1-0.
For a while Benitez had made the good old days return to Anfield, the home of European football (so they think).
But the honeymoon period didn’t last long. It was somewhat prolonged when Liverpool reached a second Champions League final, but defeat only added fuel to the flames. Like Gerard Houlier before him, Rafael Benitez is finding it very difficult to please the red side of Liverpool.
So if Rafael Benitez walks away or is sacked in the summer, who do Liverpool fans believe will do a better job?
I really cannot see Jose Mourinho leading out any other English team except Manchester United, and the other usual suspects have already been named on the football phone-ins – Martin O’Neill, Jurgen Klinsmann, one even suggested a straight swap with Newcastle for Sam Allardyce – are you insane?
I don’t think Benitez and Liverpool are ready to win the Premier League, even if he played his strongest team week in and week out. Benitez was brought to Liverpool because of his success in Europe. He has delivered that success, so no one can say he has been unsuccessful. If I was Rafael Benitez I would hold my hands up and say – enough’s enough I’m off!
I hear Graeme Souness is looking for a return to football management
4 comments so far
1 soren // Jan 8, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Dont believe the pressure in Spain is any less intense than UK. And particularly at Real Madrid where Rafa says they have made him an offer. Ever heard of Fabio Capello, sacked AFTER winning the league!!
2 Terry Lane // Jan 8, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I could be wrong but I thought it was always going to be the case that Fabio Capello was only going to be at Real Madrid for one year.
I honestly think there’s a difference. Liverpool were crying out for European success and as soon as Rafael Benitez achieved that holy grail they changed the goalposts!
3 soren // Jan 9, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Capello had a three year contract at Madrid. My point is that if you think that football in Spain is under less media scrutiny than the UK you are mistaken. Madrid and Barcelona are considered public property and there is no easy life for managers,players or even chairman who are interrogated daily on prime time news. Liverpool is a doddle in comparison.
4 weenie // Jan 9, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I’ll be gutted if/when Rafa leaves – he has a vision for the team – achieved it on a European level, yet to achieve on a domestic level. It took Fergie ages to make Man U into a winning side, wish the impatient scouse Reds would give Rafa some breathing space.