Rafa Watch

[kingfunk]

With the squad they have, it would be a disgrace if they didn't win something this year.

[Shaggy]

"Rafa doesn't come and drink wine with me!!!!!!!!!!!1"

Stop crowing! Benitez never shuts up about his CV, says old foe Ferguson ahead of Man United's clash against Chelsea

By John Edwards and Matt Barlow

PUBLISHED: 10:24, 3 May 2013 | UPDATED: 00:51, 4 May 2013

Comments (146)
Share

Sir Alex Ferguson has accused Rafa Benitez of being driven by self-interest.

One of English football's fiercest rivalries will be resumed at Old Trafford on Sunday, and there was no sign of any let-up in hostilities.

Asked whether winning the Europa League would be important to Benitez, Ferguson replied that the Chelsea manager was 'very concerned with his c.v.'.

He also accused the Chelsea interim boss, named manager of the month for April, of repeatedly snubbing his invitations for a post-match drink.

Benitez responded by suggesting his Manchester United counterpart had built his domestic success on big spending, and had failed to replicate that success on the European stage.

As he prepared for the visit of Chelsea, Ferguson further illustrated a lingering animosity that dates back to Benitez's Liverpool days by accusing him of stirring up trouble after the recent FA Cup tie at Old Trafford.

Benitez complained about the lack of a handshake from Ferguson, but the United manager hit back and revealed how his rival regularly stays away from his office after games.

'I never even saw him at Old Trafford, so I don't know why he went and made such an issue of it (the handshake),' he said.

'When we went down to Stamford Bridge we shook hands before and after the game. There are no problems for me. We do it all the time. It is part of the English culture that you do that.

'At the end of the game, we always shake hands and always have a meeting in my office with both sets of staff. It is a fantastic thing to do. You don't get it abroad, but it is the right thing to do.

'It is an opportunity to get away from the game itself. You maybe see managers twice a year, when you play them, so that opportunity to spend half an hour with them after a match is vital. You can discuss your jobs and lots of issues.

'He came in once when he was at Liverpool, but I don't think he's come in again. He never even came in when we went to Anfield.

'It's not easy going in if you have lost, but I always say to my own staff make sure we go in because it is our chance to show we are Manchester United. No matter the result, go in. I think that he is very concerned about his own c.v. He refers to it a lot, but you can't dispute the fact that he has done a good job over the past few weeks.

'The fans have settled down a bit and left him alone. They have eased up on him a bit, and that has helped him to relax and start picking the right teams for the right games.'

Benitez interjected 'in England' midway through a question about Ferguson's track record for winning trophies, but was guarded about confirming he felt United had fallen short in Europe. 'I don't know,' he said.

'I think it is a top side and a top manager, and that is it. We'll leave it there. 'When you are with a top side, and you have had more money than anyone for years, then you can keep winning and you can keep talking.

'He doesn't (like me), he doesn't, but it depends on the moment. 'You have to do what you have to do for your team. At the time (of their first bust-up), he knew that Liverpool were very close. That was the situation.

'Now it is very different because they have won the title. But are they better than Manchester City? I am not sure. Are they better than Chelsea? I am not sure. But they have been more consistent than anyone, so they deserve it.'

They will not share a glass of wine.

'I don't drink wine,' said Benitez, but he offered this message for Ferguson: 'I wish him health for more years. If he wants to stay in charge that will be fine and I would like to be in a top side that can compete at the same level.'

Benitez has five more games in charge and will then move on in search of a new job.

Who knows when this rivalry will resume?

Meanwhile, Ferguson is expected to undergo hip surgery which could stop him taking a seat in the dugout for the start of next season, reports said.

He plans to have the operation after returning from a pre-season tour of the Far East at the end of July, leaving only 18 days to recover before their title defence begins on August 17.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2318797/Sir-Alex-Ferguson-says-Rafa-Benitez-cares-CV-ahead-Manchester-United-v-Chelsea.html

[RedReet]

8 years to this day

This years final is on May 25th.

[Vermilion]

@ Ferguscum. What a load of self obsessed crap, oh everyone should pay homage to ME!

mY ARSE!

edit: I'd love to see Rafa win this game, then wait by his office ready to usher Fergie in like a little boy being invited into teachers room!

[Arn]

[Vermilion]

My fav..

If only Rafa had then patted him on the head.

[Tee]

My fav..

If only Rafa had then patted him on the head.

[Fivex]

I'm imagining the headbutt

[MrMichael]

A European trophy is still a European trophy.

Super Cup

[Roboklopp]

Just turned on telly & it was on that Sunday Supplement ****e. They were on about Rafa & I was expecting them to slag him off but they were actually complementary about him. Said he was rated by Abramovich & would be good for Schalke.

[Shaggy]

It's obvious that Abramovich/the club have for a while wanted a strong manager who will put an end to the club being so reliant on Terry and Lampard - and unquestionably Rafa has done it. It could all fall apart if they don't win the Europa League and miss out on the top 4, but if they achieve both of those - as well as having had the balls to deal with Terry and Lampard - he will come out of it with a lot of credit.

[RichC]

In all honesty if he manages that i.e. top 4 and the Europa League trophy they'd be mad not trying to keep him on, obviously their odious fans is a good reason as any for Rafa to not want to stay now though.

Talking of their fans they have some sort of irrational hatred towards him which we all knew was going to be there which was always going to be tough for him but he's done a good job there & by sticking it out it looks like he'll come out of the tenure there well.

I really hope this allows him to land a job with real long term potential (although preferably outside of the PL, thinking City!).

[Kenneth]

It's obvious that Abramovich/the club have for a while wanted a strong manager who will put an end to the club being so reliant on Terry and Lampard - and unquestionably Rafa has done it. It could all fall apart if they don't win the Europa League and miss out on the top 4, but if they achieve both of those - as well as having had the balls to deal with Terry and Lampard - he will come out of it with a lot of credit.

It's strange that Roman appeared to hang AVB out to dry when he did the same, presumably with the same mandate originally.

[Shaggy]

In all honesty if he manages that i.e. top 4 and the Europa League trophy they'd be mad not trying to keep him on, obviously their odious fans is a good reason as any for Rafa to not want to stay now though.

Talking of their fans they have some sort of irrational hatred towards him which we all knew was going to be there which was always going to be tough for him but he's done a good job there & by sticking it out it looks like he'll come out of the tenure there well.

I really hope this allows him to land a job with real long term potential (although preferably outside of the PL, thinking City!).

PSG would be a great move for him if possible. Schalke want him, reportedly, and that could be a decent move with minted owners, 60,000 stadium etc.

It's strange that Roman appeared to hang AVB out to dry when he did the same, presumably with the same mandate originally.

If I remember rightly I think AVB started down that route and then bottled it, didn't he? Suddenly restored them to the team every week.

[RichC]

PSG would be a good shout although how is Anchelotti getting on over there? I hope he doesn't go to Madrid straight after Mourinho leaves, it seems clubs are never a happy place just before & after he leaves.