Rafa Watch

[Craig_H]

Since making his name, he has certainly never moved to a club like us...i.e. not very much money to spend, big rebuilding job needed, mid-table etc.

He'll go to City next IMO, absolutely nailed on, and what a surprise that would be. Unlimited funds again. And he'll win the title too, and people will cream their pants about it.

First of all, i agree that Mourinho is a cunt. How much i care about that, in terms of wanting a manager who'll win things, is debatable. But i also agree that he's a non-starter for us.

Regarding the idea that he'll come to city, spend tonnes of cash, win the title and everyone will say how good he is - well, Mancini came in, he spent tonnes of cash and he hasnt won the title and most likely wont. So clearly, it's not as easy as that. If it was, any half mediocre manager would do it.

Mourinho is indeed a cunt, we'll never get him and yes, he does tend to go for jobs where he can spend ****loads. But all evidence still suggests that he's a superb football manager.

[Craig_H]

Oh - and reading that interview with Rafa really makes me want him back.

[Rich]

Release Carragher, sell Gerrard, sack Comolli, move upstairs Kenny, bring back Rafa.

Job done.

[Shaggy]

First of all, i agree that Mourinho is a cunt. How much i care about that, in terms of wanting a manager who'll win things, is debatable. But i also agree that he's a non-starter for us.

Regarding the idea that he'll come to city, spend tonnes of cash, win the title and everyone will say how good he is - well, Mancini came in, he spent tonnes of cash and he hasnt won the title and most likely wont. So clearly, it's not as easy as that. If it was, any half mediocre manager would do it.

Mourinho is indeed a cunt, we'll never get him and yes, he does tend to go for jobs where he can spend ****loads. But all evidence still suggests that he's a superb football manager.

Wouldn't dispute any of that. It's becoming clearer IMO Mancini is an average manager at best. Mourinho is top drawer, no doubt - but he is very clever with knowing when to leave a club and knowing full well he'll have all the rich clubs banging his door down. Had he been City's manager this season they would've won the league by about 20 points. Mind you I think Rafa would walk it too.

[sitoca]

It annoys me that he has absolutely no chance of being our next manager.

You'd think FSG would dig him. As said on TAW yesterday, the perfect example of Moneyball is buying Torres for £20m and selling him for £50m.

Buying Alonso for £10m, selling for £30m.

We unquestionably overachieved with him at the helm. There's no chance of attracting anyone else of his calibre or with a recent record of winning big things. And not only that he wouldn't cost a penny in compensation or anything.

Yet it appears there's absolutely no chance.

I'm still hopeful of him coming back. Can someone here explain to me why FSG won't even consider him as a potential candidate?

[baitman]

First of all, i agree that Mourinho is a cunt. How much i care about that, in terms of wanting a manager who'll win things, is debatable. But i also agree that he's a non-starter for us.

Regarding the idea that he'll come to city, spend tonnes of cash, win the title and everyone will say how good he is - well, Mancini came in, he spent tonnes of cash and he hasnt won the title and most likely wont. So clearly, it's not as easy as that. If it was, any half mediocre manager would do it.

Mourinho is indeed a cunt, we'll never get him and yes, he does tend to go for jobs where he can spend ****loads. But all evidence still suggests that he's a superb football manager.

there is no doubting that he will motivate a group of players into a fighting unit, but as a self publicist he only cares about himself. he will probably go to city, now the ground work has been done, and with a couple more marquee signing he will go on to dominate the prem for the next 3-5 years or more, depending on response of manure and the rest.

[Craig_H]

Does Gerrard really have such a problem with Rafa?

Personally, i think Rafa's the kind of guy who cant be manager at the same club for more than about 5 years without it ending in tears. He's so meticulous with everything, an absolute perfectionist bordering on obsessive and i dont think a group of players can handle that kind of intensity 24/7 on an indefinite basis. After long enough time has past, it'll wear them down mentally and i think that's part of what happened.

[Gibbo]

I dont see why Rafa cant come back.

I hate dwelling on the past but I really dont think that *if* Kenny leaves there will be a stronger candidate for the job, one that lives here, speaks the language and loves the club.

It would make more than perfect sense to hire him.

[sitoca]

I dont see why Rafa cant come back.

I hate dwelling on the past but I really dont think that *if* Kenny leaves there will be a stronger candidate for the job, one that lives here, speaks the language and loves the club.

It would make more than perfect sense to hire him.

[Shaggy]

I'm still hopeful of him coming back. Can someone here explain to me why FSG won't even consider him as a potential candidate?

That glorified middle-manager Ian Ayre is widely believed to despise him. John Henry consulted Parry & Purslow amongst others - so you can imagine the feedback he got there.

Bascombe (I know ) did a webchat in the last day or so and basically said the club made it clear that as long as FSG own the club Benitez won't be returning as manager.

Then there's a couple of very senior players who it seems fairly obvious to me are not his biggest fans.

[Rich]

Does Gerrard really have such a problem with Rafa?

Pretty sure he does.

[Phoenix07]

The Daily Mirror did a report in December 2010 when he was sacked from Inter and we were demanding Hodgson to leave saying FSG won't consider him.

[sitoca]

That glorified middle-manager Ian Ayre is widely believed to despise him. John Henry consulted Parry & Purslow amongst others - so you can imagine the feedback he got there.

Bascombe (I know ) did a webchat in the last day or so and basically said the club made it clear that as long as FSG own the club Benitez won't be returning as manager.

Then there's a couple of very senior players who it seems fairly obvious to me are not his biggest fans.

Right.....but this is counter to their Moneyball philosophy, no?

[Craig_H]

Pretty sure he does.

But why though?

He might disagree with his methods and not like some of his footballing philosophies, but it seems to go more personal than that, if we're to believe some of the forum murmerings.

Rafa got the best out of Gerrard, turned him into a regular and world class matchwinner, turned him into a 20 goal per season midfielder and basically made him the world star that he became.

Cant get my head around why Gerrard would have such an issue with him. Ok, he may think there are better ways to do things than how Rafa does them and it's perfectly normal they might have differing opinions on football. But surely Gerrard must view Benitez with a large degree of respect and some affection, for what Rafa helped Gerrard and LFC achieve?

[Craig_H]

That glorified middle-manager Ian Ayre is widely believed to despise him. John Henry consulted Parry & Purslow amongst others - so you can imagine the feedback he got there.

Bascombe (I know ) did a webchat in the last day or so and basically said the club made it clear that as long as FSG own the club Benitez won't be returning as manager.

Then there's a couple of very senior players who it seems fairly obvious to me are not his biggest fans.

I'd love to know what this theory is based on and how much credence there is to it. Seems awfully random to me.