Rafa interview

[Big Dave]

The players in the reserve team are 17, 18 years old, so they’ll need two, three years to reach the right level and the first team. We are close to making three signings, one for the first team.[/URL]

Interesting

[IJM]

Great interview, very honest and forthcoming...

I was a bit suprised, that when asked about whether he made poor signings, and Ballaque mentions Jermaine Pennant as one of them, Raffa does not refute it... Seems wierd considering he is a current squad player. I know he isen't playing much ATM, and is held out by a striker playing his position, but it can't help his confidence if pennant picks up on it...

Not once during his reign has Rafa managed to get his first choice right winger even though he has tried every summer. Hopefully, whoever is in charge, the funds will be available for him to get his first choice, top class man this summer. I think it will make a huge difference when he does.

[hockin_monster]

Interesting

I wondered when folkes were going to pick up on that

[AFII]

I wondered when folkes were going to pick up on that

There is a thread in the transfer forum about it

[RedProf]

Good read, Rafa lays out the facts as they are. But despite all this info coming straight from the horse's mouth, does anyone expect the majority of the press to read this and change the nonsense they continually spout? No chance. The ******s from Fleet Street will still peddle their lies and myths as it serves their purpose of undermining the manager of the club they don't particularly like. Oh, and it would mean them admitting to their readers that they were wrong and that they have been writing factually incorrect articles all season.

[Roboklopp]

Aye, great info & shows us Rafa is thinking the same as (most of) us.

But about Pako is particularly interesting, if rather sad.

[Roboklopp]

Shame there's no insider info on the beard tho mind

[Bender]

Rafa Reveals Hurt Over Pako Betrayal

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has opened up on the departure of assistant coach and close friend Pako Ayesteran earlier this season.

Benitez told The Times: "Pako was much more than a physical trainer, he was my friend and someone I trusted for many years. I worked with him for 11 years. It's a recent wound that still hurts.

"Liverpool gave him autonomy and power and I think that changed him a lot - he wanted more and more. One day I found out that he had serious contacts with other teams and that seemed to me a betrayal towards me and the club that I couldn't accept. He told me he wanted to leave the same day that we played against Toulouse, so I lost someone I trusted greatly, a key member of my staff at a crucial moment in the pre-season.

"Logically, this has an effect on a team. The people that arrived had to adapt and familiarise themselves with a new environment. This meant that a transitional period started at the club, but we still managed to win games and play well. Then, when we started to draw games, people questioned our work.

"I believe that no one is irreplaceable and we have to keep moving forward. Paco de Miguel took over the role as physical trainer. Also, as a result, I have more of a presence around the team and try to have more involvement with the players."

[Guest]

I think he should have kept that close to himself though, as Pako will probably retaliate via the press and it will again be something we'll have to bear as fans. Not good hearing stuffs going behind the scenes, particularly those which are a bit unsavory.

[Reece]

I think he should have kept that close to himself though, as Pako will probably retaliate via the press and it will again be something we'll have to bear as fans. Not good hearing stuffs going behind the scenes, particularly those which are a bit unsavory.

You make it too tempting for us at times mate

[Yozza]

I think he should have kept that close to himself though, as Pako will probably retaliate via the press and it will again be something we'll have to bear as fans. Not good hearing stuffs going behind the scenes, particularly those which are a bit unsavory.

Whats so unsavoury about it? If thats what Pako was up to then good riddance - we only want committed staff at LFC

& I think the fans deserve to know what happened

[Skillz]

Couldn't care less. If Rafa wants us to know, good on him. Been a lot of speculation about this so for me if he wants it out, good on him.

He's got my backing anyway but i did say a while ago when many were speculating how much Pako leaving affected the squad affected that it wouldn't be anywhere near what it affected Rafa.

Rafa has had a tough year **insertunderstatementsmilie** and has shown his class all the way through IMO.

[Shaggy]

http://www.est1892.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=49435

[Guest]

You make it too tempting for us at times mate

**** off

Whats so unsavoury about it? If thats what Pako was up to then good riddance - we only want committed staff at LFC

& I think the fans deserve to know what happened

Well, I don't want another slinging match via the press as Pako is bound to retaliate. That is all.

[MattB]

Should make this and the 48 in/49 out post a sticky. It might stop the tedious 'Rafa has spent £150m/more than anyone else and we are still **** etc etc' posts