With all the talk of Rafa, thoughts inevitably go back to Valencia, and then this got me thinking of Cuper, who built a superb side there, but was never able to take them to La Liga success, which Rafa did twice.
That surely doesnt bring a notion of failure to Cuper, given that anyone managing in Spain, unless they're in charge at the Camp Nou or Bernebeu, is going to struggle to win La Liga. Especially since he also took them to the CL final twice in consecutive years, unlucky to lose on penalties in 2001.
I cant remember how he left Valencia, whether he was sacked or resigned, though the fact that he went to Inter suggests to me that he left the Mestalla of his own accord.
Then at Inter, he finished 2nd two years in a row (no disgrace) but ultimately won nothing. Ironically, he was sacked by Moratti after six games of 2003-2004 season, for unacceptable performance - Inter were 8th. Ominous for Rafa now, you'd think.
Having taken over Mallorca in the relegation zone, he kept them up before resigning the following season.
Then sacked from Real Betis, and again from Parma after a dreadful record (the club eventually got relegated after Cuper had been sacked).
Bizarrely, he became manager of the Georgia national team, before leaving near the end of 2009 to become manager of Aris Thessaloniki in the Greek league, where he remains in charge now.
The thing i dont get is, how can someone who built such a brilliant side in a top quality league, go from that, to the relative lows of managing a third-rate national team and then a modest side in a low-grade European League like that in Greece?
Going back to the late 90s and into the 21st century, his stock was exceptionally high. He was seen as one of the best coaches in Europe. Now it seems he cant do better than an average Greek side.
WTF happened?
That surely doesnt bring a notion of failure to Cuper, given that anyone managing in Spain, unless they're in charge at the Camp Nou or Bernebeu, is going to struggle to win La Liga. Especially since he also took them to the CL final twice in consecutive years, unlucky to lose on penalties in 2001.
I cant remember how he left Valencia, whether he was sacked or resigned, though the fact that he went to Inter suggests to me that he left the Mestalla of his own accord.
Then at Inter, he finished 2nd two years in a row (no disgrace) but ultimately won nothing. Ironically, he was sacked by Moratti after six games of 2003-2004 season, for unacceptable performance - Inter were 8th. Ominous for Rafa now, you'd think.
Having taken over Mallorca in the relegation zone, he kept them up before resigning the following season.
Then sacked from Real Betis, and again from Parma after a dreadful record (the club eventually got relegated after Cuper had been sacked).
Bizarrely, he became manager of the Georgia national team, before leaving near the end of 2009 to become manager of Aris Thessaloniki in the Greek league, where he remains in charge now.
The thing i dont get is, how can someone who built such a brilliant side in a top quality league, go from that, to the relative lows of managing a third-rate national team and then a modest side in a low-grade European League like that in Greece?
Going back to the late 90s and into the 21st century, his stock was exceptionally high. He was seen as one of the best coaches in Europe. Now it seems he cant do better than an average Greek side.
WTF happened?
I thought, with the minor Rafa 'link', you'd have been aware of him.
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