Rafa Watch

[Shaggy]

Saw a phrase re Mourinho the other day which sums it up - "he leaves scorched earth wherever he's been".

[RichC]

[Phoenix07]

It'd be different with Real Madrid if Benitez went there after Mourinho. I don't think many are going to sob over his departure there, and Rafa is a Madrid lad.

I read the Schalke link this morning and it'd be cool to see Guardiola, Klopp and Benitez in the Bundesliga. It'd rain on Moyes' German dream parade too.

Winning the Europa League is his saving grace for me. He had a fantastic opportunity with the Capital One Cup and World Club Championship. Securing a top 4 position is to be expected. However, winning the Europa League just stands out like a sore thumb, and it should catapult him back into the eyes of the big boys so to speak.

[Neil Young]

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.

It's odd how so many pundits are at least being more balanced towards him now, after so many have been so hostile to him since 08/09, if not the nine years since he joined LFC.

[wiw]

I'd love Rafa to go to City and smash the league up. Mourinho back at Chelsea too. An AVB / Rafa / Ginsoak / Mourinho / Wenger (lolz) / Rodgers () battle.

[Phoenix07]

I think Pellegrini is nailed on for Man City right now.

He obviously isn't going to stay at Malaga, and Abramovich will properly bow to the advances of Mourinho's pulsating erection.

[Arn]

You lost.

[magicalbarnes]

If Rafa wins the EL & finishes 3rd, surely he's in with a shout of being manager of the year?

If it was to happen, those idiot Chelsea fans would look even dumber than they already do!

[Chris]

Doubt it, what they're doing should be the very bare minimum for them really.

[danperkins]

Doubt it, what they're doing should be the very bare minimum for them really.

Chelsea have improved recently for sure, but that Chelsea squad is ridiculous and they should be winning something.

[peekay]

Doubt it, what they're doing should be the very bare minimum for them really.

No way is he winning the manager of the year. But given the state he walked in with the crowds baying for his blood, I think he is put himself in the frame for a job at a decent club.

Everything will depend on how the next four games go for Chelsea but if he cements third and wins the Europa League, I wouldn't be surprised if a top club takes a punt on him.

[Frenchie]

He might still come 2nd.

[The Reverend]

I spent the night in the pub with some Dortmund fans last night and they'd all love him if Klopp leaves. He's had a cluster**** of a season at Chelsea but his record in Europe still speaks for itself

[Shaggy]

Hardly a cluster**** in the league. Sure United have extended the gap but that's as much to do with their relentless form as anything else. Just read that Rafa has a 57% win ratio in the league with Chelsea, better than Di Matteo's 52%. I know he's won 13 out of 23 in the league, which is 57%. We all know he's a better manager than Di Matteo anyway so it's kinda moot. He's doing a good job though - balancing the squad with a game every 3 days, stamping his authority over a squad full of player power, and of course against a backdrop of hatred from his own supporters.

[The Reverend]

I meant a cluster**** of an experience. He was looking like he was locked out of top management till the Chelsea job came along and he saw it as a stepping stone to a permanent contract at a decent, competitive job. Thing is though, I don't think anyone in England or Italy will touch him so maybe he thinks he's in for the Real Madrid job. It's the right move on both sides I think but who knows if it'll happen