Rafa's relationship with players & man management

[Craig_H]

The following is an extract from Carra's book. It paints an interesting picture of the relationship Rafa builds with his players, and also shows a more 'jokey' side to his character that he understandably doesnt allow the press to see:

Despite his reputation for being cold towards his squad, I was also reading plenty of praise about my performances from the boss. It's never bothered me whether a manager publicly applauds me. If it happens, great, but the pat on the back is secondary to the name on the teamsheet.

Unlike Houllier, Benitez quickly developed a reputation for rarely handing out individual congratulations in the press. I know he thought it was an English trend to get managers to talk up their players. Our papers love writing about star players and sticking glowing headlines alongside pretty pictures. Over the years Rafa has come to understand that, but initially he was reluctant to talk about anything but the team. So when he did speak glowingly about you, it tended to mean more. You felt honoured to be an exception to his rule.

I picked up the Echo one night and saw a headline in which Benitez compared me to Roberto Ayala, the great Argentine defender he'd managed at Valencia. I knew I wasn't in Ayala's class. More to the point, I knew Benitez didn't think I was as good as Ayala. But to know he'd said it certainly boosted my confidence.

Benitez repeated the trick during another press conference before a League game with Chelsea, but this time there was a sting in the tail. "I've just told the media you're a better player than John Terry" Rafa told me. Then he started laughing as he made a tell-tale signal, putting his hand to his nose and pulling it away to imitate Pinocchio.

I waited a few months and got him back. Before our Champions League semi-final with Chelsea, I was handed the press conference duties. "What did they ask you?" Rafa quizzed me. "I told them you're a better manager than Mourinho" I said, and then repeated his Pinocchio mime.

He took the joke. He was enduring a tough debut season, but there was no questioning he could rely on me as one of his most loyal lieutenants.

[Tee]

Haven't read the book but that is a superb story.

BTW I think he does show his jokey side to the press - when answering difficult or pressing questions he often has that mischievous grin.

[Craig_H]

Haven't read the book but that is a superb story.

BTW I think he does show his jokey side to the press - when answering difficult or pressing questions he often has that mischievous grin.

I agree with you about his grin in interviews, but that's just a reactive thing. In this story, Rafa's the one who has proactively gone out and made a joke at Carra's expense. It is indeed a great little snippet. And it makes a mockery of the media's attempts to paint Rafa as some personality-less robot who cant smile or laugh.

All the more reason to go and buy the book, it's genuinely superb.

[Tee]

I agree with you about his grin in interviews, but that's just a reactive thing. In this story, Rafa's the one who has proactively gone out and made a joke at Carra's expense. It is indeed a great little snippet. And it makes a mockery of the media's attempts to paint Rafa as some personality-less robot who cant smile or laugh.

All the more reason to go and buy the book, it's genuinely superb.

I was in Smiths a couple of weeks ago and I was in two minds about which book to buy, Carras or my hero Rushies... May go out and get them both now.

[squaddie]

It is a brilliant read Carragher's book (far better than most run of mill sportsman autobiography's that tell you what you already know). You get a real insight into his passion for the club and the odd behind the scenes details like this that give you a true sense of what the club is/was all about... Ive got to say tho now and again he can come across as a bit of a thug (and before anyone says i know he's from bootle!)

[DannyMan2006]

It is a brilliant read Carragher's book (far better than most run of mill sportsman autobiography's that tell you what you already know). You get a real insight into his passion for the club and the odd behind the scenes details like this that give you a true sense of what the club is/was all about... Ive got to say tho now and again he can come across as a bit of a thug (and before anyone says i know he's from bootle!)

Ha ha, he's not a thug - though I know you are not saying this. But it made me laugh because I heard the talksport "England bottler" call yesterday on here. In it Carra is telling one of them to come down Melwood "And sort it out" ha ha. At the end he jokes "And make sure you bring your boxing gloves", ha ha

[Craig_H]

The 'thug' stuff came from the story that Carra nearly had his mates 'sort out' Lucas Neill for breaking Carra's leg - but apparently when they saw Neill in the Trafford Centre, he had David Thompson with him so Carra told them not to bother, as he didnt want his mate (Thompson) to witness the 'assault'.

I think it's largely tongue in cheek.

[Migselv]

I was in Smiths a couple of weeks ago and I was in two minds about which book to buy, Carras or my hero Rushies... May go out and get them both now.

Rushies book is a bit boring tbh. Buy it to support a liverpool legend, and buy carras book because it's a good read.

[Craig_H]

Rushies book is a bit boring tbh. Buy it to support a liverpool legend, and buy carras book because it's a good read.

Carra's is a better read, but Rushie could probably do with the money more

[Pacman]

Rafa is a very warm and nice person away from the cameras. I saw an article by that prat from sky Geoff Shreaves who really likes Rafa.

Rafa just pushes and pushes and some players respond some don't. Stevie and Rafa seem to have a great bond at the min. It's taken them a while but the amount of mutual back slapping them pair do these days compared to when Rafa arrived is immense.

[Craig_H]

Rafa is a very warm and nice person away from the cameras. I saw an article by that prat from sky Geoff Shreaves who really likes Rafa.

Rafa just pushes and pushes and some players respond some don't. Stevie and Rafa seem to have a great bond at the min. It's taken them a while but the amount of mutual back slapping them pair do these days compared to when Rafa arrived is immense.

You liked the snippet didnt you? Admit it

[Pacman]

You liked the snippet didnt you? Admit it

I've read the book you tube

[squaddie]

I know he's not truly a thug, he always comes across as genuine and a highly respectable sportsman (as it should be). I'd class Barton, Ferguson etc as thugs.

Maybe it is tongue in cheek but i dont think its particularly neccassary to the book, and its not just that, you've got the thing with Song.

'Later, Song walked on to the training pitch with a smile on his face. He was limping off it with a grimace an hour later. The first chance I got, I did him. Never have I hunted down a 50-50 tackle with greater appetite.

"You're not f***ing laughing now are you, you soft ****?" I said as he hobbled away.'

Spose it pervays his passion for what he does.

[red g]

there is no doubt rafa has got a humourous side and is a very likeable chap, he has got that thing that all winners have got they just dont care about there public perception and rightly so.

[Carras_Shin_Pads]

I was in Smiths a couple of weeks ago and I was in two minds about which book to buy, Carras or my hero Rushies... May go out and get them both now.

Defo get on it Carra's book is class, interesting to see stuff from his side!