Rafa Watch

[Pablo]

Yeah that was back in March. Still I'd guess their opinion won't have changed much. He's in for a hell of a time there. They hate him.

[Maxiedge]

^^^ 6th March 2012?

[marksared]

Come on guys - did we expect Rafa to wait for the LFC job? JWH didn't even interview Rafa who's miles better than Rodgers.
And please don't give me that "let's support the manager" dog ****. I'm just upset that we could've & should've got a far superior manager to what we have.
But having said that, Rodgers will get my support as long as he's in charge...

Hear hear

[Vermilion]

Yep I've checked, course I have. And yeah I meant me, not you

Well if anyone should be able to tell its you

[Tee]

With respect that's rubbish. Chelsea are just a team we don't like very much. That's it. Ask 10,000 people on the Kop and see how many agree with you

OK, I think we will agree to disagree on this one. Everton and utd are also teams we don't like very much though.

I am very surprised and find it hard to believe that the average Kopite would not see Chelsea a sa rival. But seeing as you speak for the Kop (or 10,000 of them anyway ) I think I will have to take your word for it.

[BobTheCharmer]

I can fully understand why a lot of Chelsea fans don't want him. Just like when Mourinho has been linked to us in the past, most of this site have been against it.

Rivals basically.

When you throw into the ring that not all LFC fans were disappointed to see him leave, then how do you expect fans of other clubs to take to him?

But he has very good pedigree and I hope he proves some people's opinions wrong in this country, I hope he earns some respect from some fans that aren't LFC connected and some of the media hacks, because he deserves that, but in all honesty he's going to have his work cut out to do just that.

[Tee]

I can fully understand why a lot of Chelsea fans don't want him. Just like when Mourinho has been linked to us in the past, most of this site have been against it.

Rivals basically.

When you throw into the ring that not all LFC fans were disappointed to see him leave, then how do you expect fans of other clubs to take to him?

But he has very good pedigree and I hope he proves some people's opinions wrong in this country, I hope he earns some respect from some fans that aren't LFC connected and some of the media hacks, because he deserves that, but in all honesty he's going to have his work cut out to do just that.

Spot on.

[Imy]

Yeah that was back in March. Still I'd guess their opinion won't have changed much. He's in for a hell of a time there. They hate him.

I think the best description i've read is he's to the Chelsea fans to what Hodgson was for us

I do hope he's a short term successful fix like Hiddink was.

Good luck Rafa, you're going to need it.

[Tee]

God help Rafa if he does not get off to a good start. Chelsea fans will be on his back at the earliest given opportunity. I just hope it does not turn ugly.

[MrMichael]

Come on guys - did we expect Rafa to wait for the LFC job? JWH didn't even interview Rafa who's miles better than Rodgers.
And please don't give me that "let's support the manager" dog ****. I'm just upset that we could've & should've got a far superior manager to what we have.
But having said that, Rodgers will get my support as long as he's in charge...

Hear hear

Really? And how do you guys know that Rodgers won't turn out to be easily Rafa's equal? You know I read posts like these and just to prove a point I almost want Rafa to fail badly at Chelsea, but then I realise that even if he did it none of it would be his fault for some people. The guy was a great manager for us but he wasn't perfect and the attitude that nobody can live up to him is utterly unconstructive... and a bit ridiculous frankly.

[Shaggy]

It's not remotely comparable to Hodgson. They don't like him because he beat them all the time and, according to some Chelsea fan I'm talking to now, "because of all the nasty stuff he said", the prime example being a totally made-up quote LOL.

There are many more LFC fans prepared to take Mourinho than there are Chelsea welcoming Benitez. Many, many more.

They feel he is inextricably linked to us, which I can kind of understand. However, the spokespeople for their fans groups are all quick to tell us he's "a poor manager" too, which is laughable.

[MrMichael]

I can fully understand why a lot of Chelsea fans don't want him. Just like when Mourinho has been linked to us in the past, most of this site have been against it.

Rivals basically.

When you throw into the ring that not all LFC fans were disappointed to see him leave, then how do you expect fans of other clubs to take to him?

But he has very good pedigree and I hope he proves some people's opinions wrong in this country, I hope he earns some respect from some fans that aren't LFC connected and some of the media hacks, because he deserves that, but in all honesty he's going to have his work cut out to do just that.

The Mourinho thing is a very good point.

Agree with the rest too

[Lee]

No-one at Liverpool can begrudge Benitez this move IMO. He would have jumped at the chance of a return but instead FSG went for a Swansea manager untested in Europe and untested at the big clubs. Benitez can't sit around with his thumbs up his arse, he wants to work in England, FSG didn't want him, Roman does however, so it's a no-brainer for him. I think he will do really well with Chelsea.

Joining Chelsea is far from ideal but he can't wait around forever. I think I'm a bit more gutted with him going there because the CFC fans don't / won't appreciate him. **** 'em though. Can't believe the grief that Rafa is getting for joining them.

As for him coming in for some of our players - it's inevitable that the press will link him with the likes of Skrtel, Agger and Lucas. Of course they will. But he doesn't need to show any loyalty to us all the time he's a rival manager. He's a professional and will want to do the best he can with the best players he can. If Lucas (for example) went to Chelsea then how could anyone be pissed at Rafa when it's Lucas who would ultimately sign the contract?

Anyway it's all hypothetical. Let's just see what happens.

Good to see Rafa back managing again in the PL even if it is for that cunt of a club. Good luck to him.

[dom9]

Guillem Balague @GuillemBalague

If Benitez has not worked in 2 years is cause he rejected offers (including CFC), not cause nobody wanted to employ him.

[Dalglish]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0jvOZN8Fnk"]'Our Rafa'- Tribute to Rafa Benitez - YouTube[/ame]