Yossi: "There is one reason I left - Rafa Benitez"

[dww]

I think Benayoun and Riera were just unwilling to change. Not sure that Rafa could do much about that. Be interesting to see what happens to Babel- he started very much in that mould but seemed to be learning and adapting as he matured.

I'm pretty sure that the leaks in various press reports (Ballague is the one I remember) referring to a player upset that he was being asked to go to the gym were about Benayoun. His main problem I have held for a while was his complete inability to pressure a fullback. In a philosophy where pressure and controlling where the game is played like Rafa's that is a fatal flaw. Unwillingness to try and improve in that area is a real fault and rendered him a luxury player at a time when things were getting harder at the club.

Riera has a history of not getting with managers and whilst I'm sure some managers may have put their arm round him at the end of the Houllier era many people were having a go at GH for doing exactly that to too many players. It is a hard call for a manager but I think Riera turned out to have the attitude that had been questioned often before we bought him.

[peekay]

Maybe Benayoun was justified in angling for a move to Chelsea. But the language he used in that interview was devoid of class and dignity. If he truly respected the club, he would have been more measured and not tried to associate bad press with our club once again.

In the original NOTW interview, he says I cannot speak for Riera and Alonso. Then dont bring them in your interview, you ****.

[Taxi]

Not good behaviour at all really from Rafa if these comments are true. There was always talk of his lack of man management skills and this just seems to confirm the problem, I mean telling a player he doesn't understand why the fans are dissapointed in him coming off because he's not good enough! WTF is that going to achieve?

Maybe Hodgson will be a breath of fresh air for the current squad?

I was very sad when Rafa left, but he treated people in a cut throat manner by the look of things so you live by the sword you die by the sword.

[Taxi]

Maybe Benayoun was justified in angling for a move to Chelsea. But the language he used in that interview was devoid of class and dignity. If he truly respected the club, he would have been more measured and not tried to associate bad press with our club once again.

In the original NOTW interview, he says I cannot speak for Riera and Alonso. Then dont bring them in your interview, you ****.

His problem was with the man, not the club, and Rafa's now at Inter. He's always made positive comments about the club.

[cream]

Neither Rafa or Yossi are at the club anymore, time to move on.

[el matador]

His problem was with the man, not the club, and Rafa's now at Inter. He's always made positive comments about the club.

agree 100% with Taxi.

Yossi hasnt been disrespectful towards the club just a former manager who on the face of things treated people like ****.

You cant manage people like that and although we all have worked for and with people who bullied others - its not on.

Yes - Rafa Benitez is a bully.

[Mattshark]

agree 100% with Taxi.

Yossi hasnt been disrespectful towards the club just a former manager who on the face of things treated people like ****.

You cant manage people like that and although we all have worked for and with people who bullied others - its not on.

Yes - Rafa Benitez is a bully.

Or maybe Yossi just has an elevated opinion of himself and his performances and and cannot take criticism.

[RedReet]

I say fair play to Benayoun. I can't possibly know what goes on off the pitch and between the manager and players in private, but if I was doing my best at my job and never got a whiff of support or communication from my boss, if he treated me like a pawn in his system and never showed me or my work process any consideration, I would think he was an absolute dick as well and start looking for another job asap. I have worked for absolute *******s many times, they breed them here in the USA as if they were rabbits, and I can tell you, I've always DREAMED of having a go at them in the press for their absolute cuntishness. So, while I am a fan of Rafa's results and ambitions, I can understand that I wouldn't want to work for him. And I can completely understand taking a shot at him in the press after suffering indignities under him at work for years. Does that make me soft in your eyes? I don't give a ****.

All of that said, what is Rafa's problem with Left Wingers? Babel/ Riera/ Benayoun? I mean, how is it that all three of them were so much trouble and this, was our #1 problem position? For me, one of the problems is Rafa's refusal to make a ****ing decision. He rotated this spot for years and if none of the players were good enough, well, at least work with them as men to get the best from them. Shocking to me that he couldn't figure out how to manage this situation and get these players behind a program and plan.

But would you sign a new contract, commiting the best part of your career to this 'dick'?

If Rafa tried to 'break' Benni and didn't think him good enough, why offer him a new contract when money was so tight? If Benayoun did feel so hard done by, why sign the thing? According to another article, Benni seeked assurances of Benitez before he signed the contract and was told he was important to the team. Benayoun felt betrayed however when Benitez dared start him from the bench against Spurs, even though he started all our home games.

I always liked Benni and did feel Rafa could have used him a bit more (early in his career), but it seems to me he's just jumping on the bandwagon and making excuses after leaving. He started something like 31 games last year and came on as a sub in about 14 or 15. That's not too dissimilar from previous seasons before he signed the contract (even though he was injured for a bit), so the only thing I see that has changed is the interest from Chelsea.

As much as I don't like Chelsea, I was hoping he'd do well for them (still think he will and prove a lot of people wrong), but now I couldn't give a **** if he rots in their reserves.

[Taxi]

Or maybe Yossi just has an elevated opinion of himself and his performances and and cannot take criticism.

constructive criticism's one thing, telling a player you can't understand why the fans like him is not constructive in any way shape or form. the only thing comments like that will achieve is a complete lack of confidence. its quite a nasty little thing to say too.

[Mattshark]

constructive criticism's one thing, telling a player you can't understand why the fans like him is not constructive in any way shape or form. the only thing comments like that will achieve is a complete lack of confidence. its quite a nasty little thing to say too.

Do you know that was really said, or in what context it was said?

[Taxi]

Do you know that was really said, or in what context it was said?

There are only two people that do, one being Yossi and thats what he's said.

Keep defending the man if you like, but you're doing so know and ignoring evidence. Do you not feel that for once, you may have to admit Rafa did something wrong? These comments from Yossi have confirmed to me that he really is a piss poor man manager, I'm not taking anything away from his achievements and I'd still think we'd be more successful with him than with Roy, but we'd always have a merry-go-round of players as long as he was here because he does seem to treat certain players like complete ****e.

[Mattshark]

There are only two people that do, one being Yossi and thats what he's said.

Keep defending the man if you like, but you're doing so know and ignoring evidence. Do you not feel that for once, you may have to admit Rafa did something wrong? These comments from Yossi have confirmed to me that he really is a piss poor man manager, I'm not taking anything away from his achievements and I'd still think we'd be more successful with him than with Roy, but we'd always have a merry-go-round of players as long as he was here because he does seem to treat certain players like complete ****e.

He did do plenty of things wrong (and I have never said he didn't), that doesn't change the fact that I feel Yossi, in doing this interview, is coming across as a elevated opinion of how he played and himself and he still comes across as not being able to take criticism.

[Exiled_red]

I think Benayoun and Riera were just unwilling to change. Not sure that Rafa could do much about that. Be interesting to see what happens to Babel- he started very much in that mould but seemed to be learning and adapting as he matured.

I'm pretty sure that the leaks in various press reports (Ballague is the one I remember) referring to a player upset that he was being asked to go to the gym were about Benayoun. His main problem I have held for a while was his complete inability to pressure a fullback. In a philosophy where pressure and controlling where the game is played like Rafa's that is a fatal flaw. Unwillingness to try and improve in that area is a real fault and rendered him a luxury player at a time when things were getting harder at the club.

Riera has a history of not getting with managers and whilst I'm sure some managers may have put their arm round him at the end of the Houllier era many people were having a go at GH for doing exactly that to too many players. It is a hard call for a manager but I think Riera turned out to have the attitude that had been questioned often before we bought him.

[kingfunk]

**** yossi, I'm glad the prick is gone. He left after rafa was "sacked" so his **** talk is void.

Saying that, I'm glad rafa is gone too, IMO he added to the bitchiness and the doom and gloom feeling around the club the last few years.

We needed the change, glad we have a football man at the helm now, as king two once said " a little less conversation a little more action please"!! Roll on the new season.

[peekay]

His problem was with the man, not the club, and Rafa's now at Inter. He's always made positive comments about the club.

Rafa is at fault with his handling of Yossi. Man management is an area where he should improve. But Yossi's interview in NOTW came across as classless and is very personal. He could have given his reasons in a better and more professional manner.