Rafa Watch

[Shaggy]

They were, arguably, Rafa's biggest rivals when he was at Liverpool. And there was no hiding how both felt about each other. It is very comparable to him joining a fierce rival.

Teams like that come and go all the time. No one over 35 thinks they are a rival, only kids do. Rafa had beef with Mourinho, and so what anyway. He's an adult, he can't make career decisions with beef in mind. If he'd gone to Everton or United, fine, but it's just Chelsea. Sure, they're ****ing horrible but they're not our rivals!

I used UTD in response to what MRNice said about joining a club you don't like.

To ask if MrNice would feel the same had it been utd.

Of course he wouldn't - I doubt there are many bigger admirers of Rafa than I but if he went to United he'd have to go **** himself. But that'd never happen, he'd never go there - all along he said the clubs he'd be prepared to join would be Arsenal, Chelsea, Villa , City and of course us. Said it all along. Of course United wouldn't have him either but this United stuff is a straw man argument. He hasn't gone there, he never would and it's not comparable to what has actually happened.

[Shaggy]

Wow - Bolo

Bolo is a mate of mine's landlord

[Nicey]

You're a rare breed mrNice, if Rafa had just been made Man U manager, you'd be able to keep your emotions in check, i can't at the moment, it gave me a sick feeling inside when i heard.

Obviously i'm not finished with Rafa, but i must admit to being a tad dissapointed that after all this time waiting for the right project, that project turns out to be Chavski.


I salute you.

Seriously dude, I adore that man and his family. I wish I had friends, and people around me like him. Such a genuine bloke who obviously loves the club and mores the point the City, there was a great interview with him recently which really cast a clear light on how difficult things had become for him and his staff just to do there jobs on top of the pressure of getting champions lg football. All that aside .. what a wonderful servant to our club, what a lovely man, what a great family .. I salute him, we were very lucky to have him and honestly best of luck to him ... Chelsea are a ****ehouse club with ****ehouse fans but Rafa is a Worldclass manager who has waited around for a top job, there are only a 12 of them in world football, about 4 of them are set in stone .. that leaves 8 possible jobs ... if one comes up .. he has to go for it .. its all about the football and testing himself ... I fear he will do very well

[Vermilion]

Teams like that come and go all the time. No one over 35 thinks they are a rival, only kids do. Rafa had beef with Mourinho, and so what anyway. He's an adult, he can't make career decisions with beef in mind. If he'd gone to Everton or United, fine, but it's just Chelsea. Sure, they're ****ing horrible but they're not our rivals!



Of course he wouldn't - I doubt there are many bigger admirers of Rafa than I but if he went to United he'd have to go **** himself. But that'd never happen, he'd never go there - all along he said the clubs he'd be prepared to join would be Arsenal, Chelsea, Villa , City and of course us. Said it all along. Of course United wouldn't have him either but this United stuff is a straw man argument. He hasn't gone there, he never would and it's not comparable to what has actually happened.

I know this Shaggy, as i say it was more about the comment about joining a club we don't like, and how him doing that should'nt be enough for fans to think any less of the man.

So i just asked the question.

[Fivex]

He's not dead to me but he has gone right down in my estimations. The one thing he pitched more than anything else was how he and he alone wanted to choose the players for his club. Then he gets with Abramovic, who I dare you to disagree, is the antithesis of everything Rafa purported to stand for.

Rafa's become a hypocrite, Fact.

But if the boundaries are laid down from day one - that it's Roman's squad and Rafa's tasked to get the best out of them in the short term - then what's wrong with that if he fancies the challenge?

He's fully aware that it's a completely different remit that he usually agrees to, and if you think about it (and this is my key point) - only a fool would go into a club like Chelsea believing that they could genuinely start and finish a 5-year plan. Look at the facts - since Roman arrived there it simply hasn't happened.

So maybe people are being a bit naive when it comes to sussing out why Rafa took the job. In a nutshell he has a genuine shot at winning the league with a group of world class players who are used to playing a similar system as his. Succeed and his stock over here increases dramatically.

[RedReet]

Deary me Mr Superfan everything smells of roses,

Where the hell have I said Rafa can go **** himself? Jeez Nicey you are difficult at times.

'**** that' was a reference to him taking the job, not to Rafa himself, and my point was that the 'special bond' I felt with Rafa would end now that he would be their Manager.

I love Rafa and always will after what he has done for Liverpool, on and off the pitch. The man is a legend and I always wanted to see him come back, but now he has joined the Chavs I could not really care for his return. That is MY honest opinion.
Just don't put words in my mouth and make **** up please.

Genuinely curious, but what was your opinion of other fans who didn’t want Rafa at their clubs or the Chelsea fans now protesting against him?

[Nicey]

He's not dead to me but he has gone right down in my estimations. The one thing he pitched more than anything else was how he and he alone wanted to choose the players for his club. Then he gets with Abramovic, who I dare you to disagree, is the antithesis of everything Rafa purported to stand for.

Rafa's become a hypocrite, Fact.

Deary me

[Mark3]

And in Spain...

[Vermilion]

Seriously dude, I adore that man and his family. I wish I had friends, and people around me like him. Such a genuine bloke who obviously loves the club and mores the point the City, there was a great interview with him recently which really cast a clear light on how difficult things had become for him and his staff just to do there jobs on top of the pressure of getting champions lg football. All that aside .. what a wonderful servant to our club, what a lovely man, what a great family .. I salute him, we were very lucky to have him and honestly best of luck to him ... Chelsea are a ****ehouse club with ****ehouse fans but Rafa is a Worldclass manager who has waited around for a top job, there are only a 12 of them in world football, about 4 of them are set in stone .. that leaves 8 possible jobs ... if one comes up .. he has to go for it .. its all about the football and testing himself ... I fear he will do very well

I was one that never wanted him sacked, and have talked fondly of the man ever since, and still think very highly of him, that will never leave, what he did for lfc is set in stone.

It just feels different now, maybe it shouldn't and i'm in the wrong, but it just does.

[Shaggy]

But if the boundaries are laid down from day one - that it's Roman's squad and Rafa's tasked to get the best out of them in the short term - then what's wrong with that if he fancies the challenge?

He's fully aware that it's a completely different remit that he usually agrees to, and if you think about it (and this is my key point) - only a fool would go into a club like Chelsea believing that they could genuinely start and finish a 5-year plan. Look at the facts - since Roman arrived there it simply hasn't happened.

So maybe people are being a bit naive when it comes to sussing out why Rafa took the job. In a nutshell he has a genuine shot at winning the league with a group of world class players who are used to playing a similar system as his. Succeed and his stock over here increases dramatically.

I don't see how people can't see it. Professionally he had to do it, despite the obvious risks. He wasn't getting offers from anywhere suitable, Chelsea aside. He has to take this chance. If he wins the league this season then he is completely vindicated. Big ask though.

[Tee]

Teams like that come and go all the time. No one over 35 thinks they are a rival, only kids do. Rafa had beef with Mourinho, and so what anyway. He's an adult, he can't make career decisions with beef in mind. If he'd gone to Everton or United, fine, but it's just Chelsea. Sure, they're ****ing horrible but they're not our rivals!

Seriously?

Of course they are a rival, we hate them and we have mocked them for years for having no soul etc etc. We have had a fiere rivalry with them on the pitch for so many years now.

They are a rival and that is a fact Shaggy, sorry mate but I really cannot believe you think they are not.

[Zapater]

It's going to be so ****ing strange seeing him in their dugout. I really wish he didn't ever work for any other Premiership team. I can't blame him though, despite the undesirable conditions in the position, it's definitely an opportunity for him to win a trophy and attempt to improve his image in this country.

[Shaggy]

This is a good read:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2236606/Roberto-Di-Matteo-sacked-Chelsea-Roman-Abramovich-Inside-story-Neil-Ashton.html

[RedReet]

But if the boundaries are laid down from day one - that it's Roman's squad and Rafa's tasked to get the best out of them in the short term - then what's wrong with that if he fancies the challenge?

He's fully aware that it's a completely different remit that he usually agrees to, and if you think about it (and this is my key point) - only a fool would go into a club like Chelsea believing that they could genuinely start and finish a 5-year plan. Look at the facts - since Roman arrived there it simply hasn't happened.

So maybe people are being a bit naive when it comes to sussing out why Rafa took the job. In a nutshell he has a genuine shot at winning the league with a group of world class players who are used to playing a similar system as his. Succeed and his stock over here increases dramatically.

Yup, do a good job short term, get everyone onside, then **** off to Madrid on your terms leaving them high and dry.

Rafa.

[Nicey]

Deary me Mr Superfan everything smells of roses,

Where the hell have I said Rafa can go **** himself? Jeez Nicey you are difficult at times.

'**** that' was a reference to him taking the job, not to Rafa himself, and my point was that the 'special bond' I felt with Rafa would end now that he would be their Manager.

I love Rafa and always will after what he has done for Liverpool, on and off the pitch. The man is a legend and I always wanted to see him come back, but now he has joined the Chavs I could not really care for his return. That is MY honest opinion.

Just don't put words in my mouth and make **** up please.

Apologies I read it as hes now dead to you .. in other words he can **** off .. but if you dont feel all warm and fuzzy about him anymore, thats your prerogative.

I am no superfan, had no time for Hodge, or Doiuf, Rafa just seems like my kind of human being, professionally and outside of work. He seems dedidcated and most importantly decent ... and its decency which attracted me to this club in the first place .. the Liverpool way..

Rafa, waited and waited for another bite at this job ... it never came ... he kids are English ... he wants a Job in England ... he'd have my blessing if he went to United ... its just football ffs