Rafael Benitez.

[TheHowieLama]

Manager Rafael Benitez says he knew "three or four weeks ago" that Amanda Staveley's takeover of Newcastle would not happen in January.

[lifetime fan]

Decent podcast on The Times, The Game with Rafa.

[BCM]

Decent podcast on The Times, The Game with Rafa.

 

Is that behind a paywall like everything else with The Times

[lifetime fan]

Is that behind a paywall like everything else with The Times

 

No. The Times football podcast is free.

[SasaS]

If you register, you can get 2 articles a week for free. I learned that when I followed the Observer / Guardian restaurant food critic there.

[TheHowieLama]

GERRIN!!!

 

 

 

Amanda Staveley's bid to take over Newcastle is back on following constructive talks with owner Mike Ashley over the past few weeks

[Biscao]

Very impressed by Rafa. Staying up with that squad is no small feat.

[aws]

Should be between him and Jurgen for manager of the year but Pep will walk it.

[Dr Nowt]

Let’s not forget the astonishing job Roy has done in guiding Palace out of the bottom 3.

 

LMA legend.

[lifetime fan]

Let’s not forget the astonishing job Roy has done in guiding Palace out of the bottom 3.

 

LMA legend.

 

The London Cunt Papers Association manager of the year.

[RobbieOR]

Benitez gets more praise now from pundits and journalists than he did when he was at his peak getting to European Cup finals.

[Baltar]

Great stuff from Rafa. He's too good for Newcastle in their current state but if a miracle happens and Ashley bestows him with some serious cash, he can do wonders for them.

Still love the guy, hope things go well for him, wherever he'll be next season. 

[Jay86]

If Arsenal had the common sense to appoint him they’d be back in the CL by next year and wouldn’t be far off challenging. It would be Wengers appointment in reverse from 20 odd years ago, he inherited a solid back line and used his coaching strengths to strengthened the attack to great effect, Rafa would inherit a potentially great attack and would coach the defence into being a proper unit.

 

Wenger benefited hugely from being appointed when he did and I feel like Rafa would be exactly the same. I don’t get this thing of fans thinking they’re clubs to big for him and looking down their noses at him, he guys won 2 la ligas and 2 major European trophies yet Aston Villa fans thought they were to good for him, fuck me. Whilst I don’t think it would ever be right for him to come back here, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham even Everton could do a lot worse than give him the job and back him. If I were him I’d fuck this country off and its agenda based media and go back to Spain. A few below Barca/Real level clubs would be ideal for him.

[Jairzinho]

If Arsenal had the common sense to appoint him they’d be back in the CL by next year and wouldn’t be far off challenging. It would be Wengers appointment in reverse from 20 odd years ago, he inherited a solid back line and used his coaching strengths to strengthened the attack to great effect, Rafa would inherit a potentially great attack and would coach the defence into being a proper unit.

 

Wenger benefited hugely from being appointed when he did and I feel like Rafa would be exactly the same. I don’t get this thing of fans thinking they’re clubs to big for him and looking down their noses at him, he guys won 2 la ligas and 2 major European trophies yet Aston Villa fans thought they were to good for him, fuck me. Whilst I don’t think it would ever be right for him to come back here, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham even Everton could do a lot worse than give him the job and back him. If I were him I’d fuck this country off and its agenda based media and go back to Spain. A few below Barca/Real level clubs would be ideal for him.

 

I do. He's foreign, and didn't suck off the media, therefore complete mongs don't rate him. 

[Jay86]

I do. He's foreign, and didn't suck off the media, therefore complete mongs don't rate him.

Exactly! What’s he fascination over this country then, he’s treated like a prick by the media and the majority of fans and doesn’t get nowhere near the respect he deserves, you get people like Eddie Howe gets universal praise and respect, don’t get me wrong he seems a good guy and has done amazing for things for Bournemouth but he’s achieved 1/12th of what Rafa has yet because he’s young, English and gives the media no hassle he gets all the respect in the world. Still can’t believe the way Chelsea fans can’t even give him the praise and respect even after going there and winning a Europa League whilst knowing full well most of the squad and fans hated him.

[RobbieOR]

He should avoid Arsenal at all costs. 

[Baltar]

He should avoid Arsenal at all costs. 

Totally. Their fans will be moaning the minute he's appointed because they think they should be getting someone like Simeone or Allegri. The last thing Rafa needs is to be subject to endless tirades on Arsenal Fan TV. They abuse Wenger non-stop despite everything he's done for them so no manager is safe from those idiots.

[lifetime fan]

Totally. Their fans will be moaning the minute he's appointed because they think they should be getting someone like Simeone or Allegri. The last thing Rafa needs is to be subject to endless tirades on Arsenal Fan TV. They abuse Wenger non-stop despite everything he's done for them so no manager is safe from those idiots.

 

I’d love Arsenal to appoint Simeone!

 

They’d be revolting about the quality of football before Christmas. Deluded cunts.

[Lee909]

I wouldn't

Much rather Ancelotti who appears to be at the point in his career that he just doesn't give a shit

[lifetime fan]

They’d be causing WW3 after eating his shit getting them a draw.

 

He’d be a decent appointment for them but it’ll never work.

[3 Stacks]

I don’t get this thing of fans thinking they’re clubs to big for him and looking down their noses at him, he guys won 2 la ligas and 2 major European trophies yet Aston Villa fans thought they were to good for him, fuck me. 

 

It's because fans of other clubs generally dislike Liverpool and they hate that Liverpool fans loved him so much. They aren't looking at it objectively. 

 

I think there's also this perception that he's past it because he hasn't been very successful since he's left us. 

 

Anyways, he should stay at Newcastle. He's already won every big club trophy and there's less pressure there than at the top clubs. He can have the time to build something there. 

[Boss]

That squad is worse than West Brom's, easily in fact. It's a miracle that he's kept them up, let alone has them top 10. 

[Jairzinho]

Not unexpected though. At the absolute worst he's about the 5th best manager in the league.

[Tony Moanero]

Rafa > Klopp

 

*runs*

[TheHowieLama]

Never in doubt -- the Great Man