Rafa Watch

[Eric Swindler]

Rafa must have gone there for the cash. I cant think of any other reason

[Red_Polo]

To compete for trophies as well, you'd think.

[Shaggy]

Rafa must have gone there for the cash. I cant think of any other reason

Huh?

His career?

[Gibbo]

The way I see it was that it was a no loss situation for Rafa. His reputation was already shot to pieces in this country to the extent that clubs that where beneath him such as QPR wouldn't even look at him for a role.

So he goes to Chelsea and does extremely well, wins a few cups, completely reinvigorates his career and changes the media perception of him he will be portrayed as a hero, a bit like Hiddink. he will have money to spend on getting the players he wants. And he will feel he can make Chelsea better. All of this will make him more attractive to clubs once his trail period is over.

Worst case scenario is he fails, and is no worse than when he started, he will probably even be better off as people will have been 'reminded' as to who he is. And he will make some money along the way.

I can completely see why he has done it, and from his career point of view it makes perfect sense.

[Kenneth]

The way I see it was that it was a no loss situation for Rafa. His reputation was already shot to pieces in this country to the extent that clubs that where beneath him such as QPR wouldn't even look at him for a role.

So he goes to Chelsea and does extremely well, wins a few cups, completely reinvigorates his career and changes the media perception of him he will be portrayed as a hero, a bit like Hiddink. he will have money to spend on getting the players he wants. And he will feel he can make Chelsea better. All of this will make him more attractive to clubs once his trail period is over.

Worst case scenario is he fails, and is no worse than when he started, he will probably even be better off as people will have been 'reminded' as to who he is. And he will make some money along the way.

I can completely see why he has done it, and from his career point of view it makes perfect sense.

I generally agree, but I don't think that part is true at all. Two short stints resulting in perceived failure in a row would definitely damage his standing with any future employer. But then he has very few options. Going to a smaller club and trying to build something would get him back in line for a top opportunity but it could equally mean disappearing into mediocrity. The Chelsea option is a high risk high reward option imo.

[Darkon]

What I really don't get is why they are turning their anger towards Rafa (the fans), when in reality it's Abramovich that fired their beloved average RDM and chose to hire Benitez instead. Rafa took the job because he was offered it, with a potential good career move and likely **** loads of money.

They should be booing at Abramovich instead if anything.

[AnfieldForever]

What I really don't get is why they are turning their anger towards Rafa (the fans), when in reality it's Abramovich that fired their beloved average RDM and chose to hire Benitez instead. Rafa took the job because he was offered it, with a potential good career move and likely **** loads of money.

They should be booing at Abramovich instead if anything.

This is what makes them so spineless, they'll never say a bad word against him.

If the fans did turn on Roman, he'd probably replace them too

[Red_Polo]

What I really don't get is why they are turning their anger towards Rafa (the fans), when in reality it's Abramovich that fired their beloved average RDM and chose to hire Benitez instead. Rafa took the job because he was offered it, with a potential good career move and likely **** loads of money.

They should be booing at Abramovich instead if anything.

It's because he slagged off the way they needed to dish out plastic flags to try to manufacture a decent atmosphere.

The fact that it was entirely true seems to be lost on them.

[Darkon]

I know why they are angry at Rafa, but it's really Roman's fault he is the manager there instead of RDM and not Rafa's. He just accepted a big job offer when handed to him, should really be angry at the person behind. But I bet they are scared he will just **** off and leave them as a small club again.

[Norbs]

I think some people need to look through the Hodgson threads. He took massive abuse for accepting the job here, when clearly it should only have been the owners getting the blame. There are comparisons

[TheElephantMan]

Hodgson didn't get booed though, no comparison at all.

[Fivex]

And there was NOTHING on his CV whatsoever to suggest he was up to the job.

[Shaggy]

Hodgson didn't get booed though, no comparison at all.

None whatsoever. People didn't want him here but he didn't get booed or abused in the slightest (at the match, obviously). Similarly he didn't have his name sung. There was a quiet resentment, nothing like the treatment Rafa is receiving, and even people like me who didn't want him at all gave him a chance. It was only when the football became more and more unacceptable that Hodgson started to get it.

[Alex]

The only comparison I can think of is Mark Hughes going to Man City, and even then he didnt get booed.

[Norbs]

Hodgson didn't get booed though, no comparison at all.

Maybe not at first, but the online criticism was instantly.

And there was NOTHING on his CV whatsoever to suggest he was up to the job.

Granted

Chelsea fans feel they have a reason not to want Rafa, but it's been said on here that the anger should be vented at the owner instead. I can't remember Hodgson being treated with ambivalence just because it wasn't his fault he was hired which is what is being advocated towards the Chelsea fans.