Rafa Watch

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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says he wanted Rafael Benitez to take charge of the club in 2009, but the Spaniard turned them down to stay at Liverpool. (Liverpool Echo)

[Vermilion]

But he can't of ! I remember soooo many people saying that Rafa to Madrid was bollocks, why would he turn them down to stay at LFC!? they said, it's just a bull**** rumour started by his agent, they said.

[Shaggy]

Real Madrid wanted him and a year later we sacked him. What a joke.

[RichC]

It was Rafa or H&G at the time, there was only going to be one winner back then.

[Roboklopp]

Aye.

We've gone from strength to strength since.

[RichC]

Well we've got rid of H&G so I'd say we're in a far better place.

[The_weatherman]

It was Rafa or H&G at the time, there was only going to be one winner back then.

Rafa got far less backing from the supporters that Rodgers has had, I find that very sad.

[RichC]

It was a bad time for the club, he got unfairly treated to an extent due to the mess we were in as a whole.

Don't forget how close we were to going into administration.

[Phoenix07]

I wanted Rafa to leave after the 2010 season. Pellegrini had been sacked from Real Madrid at the same time, and he was the logical replacement. We said no, and preferred an Englishman, because we weren't 'English' (I recall something along those lines).

In hindsight, he should've taken a sabbatical straight after he was sacked. His stock would've been incredibly high, and taking a post after Mourinho, with an ageing squad who'd won the lot, and in a league where money was low (despite the promises from Moratti), wasn't great. I'm sure he thought he could win Serie A with a squad of champions, but the decline had already set.

The summer of 2009 should've been the year of consolidation for us as title challengers. With strong and confirmed interest in John Glenson (signed), Gareth Barry, David Silva, Carlos Tevez, that was the time to push on. Instead, we were shafted, and the club was in turmoil.

He has a golden opportunity with Real Madrid to win things (albeit against a superb Barcelona side). He'll have to use all his experience to do so, as I'd say it's his last chance to consolidate his position in the top echelons of the managerial stakes.

[Roboklopp]

Didn't you just say that Rich?

[The_weatherman]

It was a bad time for the club, he got unfairly treated to an extent due to the mess we were in as a whole.

Don't forget how close we were to going into administration.

The administration thing came the following season, most fans who wanted him out did so based on results, yet he only had one bad season and that after two years of financial restraint. Ayre played his part in this which is one of the reasons I find it difficult to take to him.

[Roboklopp]

Aye.

[Chris]

Rafa got far less backing from the supporters that Rodgers has had, I find that very sad.

You've written some absolutely horrendous drivel in the last year, this could top the lot. And is there anything you cant twist in to something about Rodgers? Beyond tedious.

Not sure you can really preach about support either tbh.

[fidget]

You've written some absolutely horrendous drivel in the last year, this could top the lot. And is there anything you cant twist in to something about Rodgers? Beyond tedious.

Not sure you can really preach about support either tbh.

You're so staunch Chris.

[badpiggy]

Rafa being a legend again:

http://www.thescore.com/liga/news/818105?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=Outbrain&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Outbrain_May_2015&utm_content=44002109