Rafa Watch

[Mark79]

Well, the financial decline hasn't really started until early 2009, so it is wrong both ways ...

Poor journalism from the Guardian ... I expect better from them ...

Off field doesn't solely mean financial affairs. The article specifies matters relating to the overall running of the club over the last 5 years. Such as the infighting between the manager and owners, the money wasted on a stadium that still doesn't exist and the appointment of Hodgson. Even though things were going well on the pitch up until 2009, that doesn't change the fact that the club was becoming a shambles behind the scenes. The point the article is making is that the club has still to recover from the long term damage that started with Hicks and Gillett's disastrous ownership. I'd say thats a fair comment, myself.

[Fredo]

Rumours that FSG are considering ditching the DoF role to accommodate Rodgers. Infuriates me even more that Rafa wasn't even considered.

[Kenneth]

Well, the financial decline hasn't really started until early 2009, so it is wrong both ways ...

Poor journalism from the Guardian ... I expect better from them ...

Your UK media knowledge is pretty impressive.

[Neil Young]

Unless we're deliberately going out of our way to be ultrasensitive, I see nothing in that article to object to. It places the blame pretty squarely at the feet of Hicks and Gillett and in hindsight it's clear we overachieved in the league in 08/09 - the evidence is how quickly we collapsed the next season.

Personally I'd have liked it to have included a stinging attack on Hodgson but that's because I loathe him. The treatment of his appointment isn't an unfair or unreasonable interpretation of events.

And the idea the club has been in decline for twenty years is correct in my opinion.

[dww]

Unless we're deliberately going out of our way to be ultrasensitive, I see nothing in that article to object to. It places the blame pretty squarely at the feet of Hicks and Gillett and in hindsight it's clear we overachieved in the league in 08/09 - the evidence is how quickly we collapsed the next season.

Personally I'd have liked it to have included a stinging attack on Hodgson but that's because I loathe him. The treatment of his appointment isn't an unfair or unreasonable interpretation of events.

And the idea the club has been in decline for twenty years is correct in my opinion.

I generally agree although it depends on how you are judging our expected level of achievement re: 08/09. We had a very good team and an excellent manager, but little by way of squad depth or financial muscle to push on.

[Neil Young]

I entirely agree - I meant we overachieved given the longer-term trends at the club. As you say, there was no depth as it was being undermined at the foundations by Hicks and Gillett - removal of one piece (Alonso) and the whole f*cking building fell down.



Benitez deserves all the credit for that season's near-miss. It's a massive 'if only' - an opportunity missed and a similar one won't present itself for some time.

[Roboklopp]

God backs Rafa:

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport-news/liverpool-fc/2012/05/31/55578-31081726/

[Cormack74]

Don't remember him saying this before: Maybe I just missed it?

http://www.marca.com/2012/06/01/en/football/barcelona/1338575785.html?a=4e4b9fcd2d72c7aa3ff2d69c3f146a66&t=1338740657

The Spanish coach Rafa Benítez praised his counterpart Pep Guardiola, who he described as an "icon" and "example" for everyone. He also expressed his understanding at his departure and said that he was sure that the former Barcelona manager would coach again and "would like to experience other leagues."

"I think he's an icon and an example because he knows how to conduct himself; he transmits values and decorum outside of football. He has set an example, and a successful one. I understand that maybe it was best for him to rest for a year so he will be prepared for the future. From my own experience, being at that level really wears you out. You're in a state of constant stress and sometimes you need to recover. I'm sure he'll be back and I think he would like to experience other leagues. The Premier League is very attractive," he acknowledged.

Benítez, who has not coached since he left Inter Milan at the end of 2010, spoke of his plans for the future. "When you are not coaching there are two ways of focussing. One is to watch games and try to enjoy life and the other is to watch games, analyse them and stay active and keep up with the market," he pointed out. "When offers have come, maybe they haven't matched what we were looking for. Having experience in several countries gives you a much broader view of where you want to be headed," he added.

[RedReet]

Been very quiet recently. Wonder where he plans to go from here now that Rodgers has been appointed and it's unlikely he'll ever be considered under the current regime.

Disappointed he isn't even on any of the panels for the Euro's.

[RichC]

Been very quiet recently. Wonder where he plans to go from here now that Rodgers has been appointed and it's unlikely he'll ever be considered under the current regime.

Disappointed he isn't even on any of the panels for the Euro's.

He's on Eurosport I think.

[RedReet]

What do they do, highlights?

[colin85]

He should go for the swansea job.

[Neil Young]

He's on Eurosport I think.

Yes, he's a regular in their coverage of the European club season and now he's analysing the Euros for them.

[Neil Young]

What do they do, highlights?

I believe so. Same day I think, quite extensive highlights.

More importantly they cover a lot of cycling.

[RedReet]

Who'd have thought that Rafa is into his cycling though?