Rafa Watch

[Roboklopp]

Thing is if he had thrown men forward, conceded on the break then 1-0 would have been enough, he'd have got crucified too.

[Shaggy]

I don't think insults are really necessary.

I also don't think describing Rafa as a manager without a winning mentality is particularly fair at all, especially in Europe. Whatever you think of his reign at Anfield overall you cannot argue with our CL results; guiding us to 2 finals in 3 years was a remarkable achievement and not one side in the entire continent wanted to play us under the guy.

I do tend to agree that in this particular game relying on the scoreline staying the same in the Dortmund game was playing with fire, however like the Rev says Napoli had to win first and foremost and if they'd conceded throwning men forward it was curtains whatever happened with Dortmund. A difficult one, yes if that was my team I would have liked to have seen them show more agression but I don't think Napoli have much to be ashamed of really in the end in getting knocked out of a group like that on 12 points.

Seems odd that he should be being criticised after guiding his team to a 2-0 win over Arsenal, who are of course flying, and winding up the toughest group by a mile with 4 wins from 6 and 12 points. Incredibly unlucky to go out. He'll probably go and win the Europa League. Again.

[Roboklopp]

Yeah Shaggy but he'll still be ****, unworthy of us & a total loser who doesn't know what he's doing.

[BigChief]

I guess my disappointment in him stems from the fact I think he's a very good tactician. Which shows he can win things (CL, Europa).

But the only thing to have held him back from being an elite manager is courage. Nobody is perfect and everyone has their weaknesses, courage is Rafa's unfortunately.

I'd rather go out trying my damnedest than 'win' like that Shaggy. Anyway, back to the main LFC forums.

[Shaggy]

As if he's not an elite manager

Benitez is only the 2nd manager in the history of football to win European trophies with 3 different teams

This is the all time list of European trophy winning managers. He in the top 9 of all time, with likely more to come over the rest of his career. Only four men in the history of football have had more European success than him. But despite that he's not elite.

http://www.myfootballfacts.com/Major_European_Trophies_Winning_Managers.html

[BigChief]

Oh, I see what this thread has become. I'm.....just.....going.....to....runnnnnn!

[Shaggy]

Haha nope. Just a few facts.

"Not elite"

[McDermotX]

God almighty.

[Sarb]

He's such a divisive figure amongst fans though. He's got his fans but then there are many that don't always agree with things he did/said

Part of the reason I wouldn't want him back as manager. And I don't think it would happen anyway

[Alex]

Love a good Rafa debate.

Id take him back in a heartbeat. We were riding on a huge wave when he was here, especially in 2009. He did all of that whilst fighting the owners.

Now, imagine what he could do with FSG. He loves the club and with the right backing I think he could make us into a real force. Unfortunately I think he will do that instead with Napoli, given that he lasts the season.

[Reece]

We'd have won the league by now if he'd remained at the club when FSG took over.

[Sarb]

Love a good Rafa debate.

Id take him back in a heartbeat. We were riding on a huge wave when he was here, especially in 2009. He did all of that whilst fighting the owners.

Now, imagine what he could do with FSG. He loves the club and with the right backing I think he could make us into a real force. Unfortunately I think he will do that instead with Napoli, given that he lasts the season.

Not a lot under their Committee structure I'd imagine. It would end in tears

We've spent a while getting rid of all his links at the club too. Won't ever happen under FSG

[Sarb]

We'd have won the league by now if he'd remained at the club when FSG took over.

I don't think FSG would have taken over if he'd remained at the club. Hicks and Gillett may have driven us into the ground

[Red_Polo]

Oh, I see what this thread has become. I'm.....just.....going.....to....runnnnnn!

If you call Rafa a ****ing idiot on a Liverpool forum I think you're probably asking a lot for people to not fervently disagree.

[dom9]

We'd have won the league by now if he'd remained at the club when FSG took over.

I'd guess he would have fallen out with them eventually.

I don't think FSG would have taken over if he'd remained at the club. Hicks and Gillett may have driven us into the ground

Based on what exactly?