Not my favourite journalist

[Hermes]

Not by a long, long way. But he sums up in this article what I've been saying all along so I have to agree with 95% of it.

 

 

THE RISE AND FALL OF RAFA BENITEZ | News Of The World

[StevieH]

Who are the members of the 'Rafa Mafia'?

[RedKnight]

THEY talk about a 'holy trinity' at Anfield.

 

Bill Shankly said when the fans, the manager and the players forge an unbreakable bond they can 'conquer the world'.

 

Rafa Benitez's Liverpool reign ended because he forgot a key component to the threesome: The players.

 

Buy well, make your team sweat blood for you and get results. It's a basic formula for any boss.

 

Shankly mastered it. He was ruthless but adored as a father figure by those who benefited from his wisdom.

 

His winning philosophy has been applied more successfully by Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho than any recent Liverpool boss.

 

Contrast the scenes of Mourinho leaving Inter Milan with Benitez's Anfield departure. Players broke down in tears in Italy. There will be no hysterics from the Liverpool squad.

 

How did it come to this? This is a man who's inspired plays in his honour and commanded a religious devotion from some fans.

 

As with much at Anfield, image and reality didn't tally. Shankly, like Fergie and Mourinho, adopted an 'us versus the world' mentality.

 

At Liverpool it's been 'Rafa versus the world.' At its worst, it was 'Rafa versus his own club'.

 

The man named after a Spanish matador wasted too much time bull- fighting, waving his red rag.

 

Too often his ire was not aimed against Liverpool's rivals. He targeted his own employers, staff and players.

 

He had much to complain about due to the owners but his gripes were often perceived as self-serving excuses. If you go to war, you need chief lieutenants in the trenches. Benitez had minimal support.

 

From top to bottom Liverpool got sick of him. His exit was the only way to relieve the depression gripping the training ground. His departure should not only leave fans assessing where the club goes but cause some to re-think their own role.

 

There's a flaw in the ethos of a club which too readily makes gods of managers. Such was the cult of Benitez after his first two brilliant cup wins, it was joked Liverpool should put a goatie beard on the Liver bird and change its name to Rafapool.

Misguided

 

Like Gerard Houllier before him, Benitez transformed in the aftermath of early success from humble work-aholic to paranoid eccentric who'd start a fight at a pacifists' convention.

 

He was a serial arsonist. No sooner was one fire extinguished he'd light another match. Working for mad chairmen is an occupational hazard but most managers deal with it in a shrewder manner. There's a well meaning but misguided element of Liverpool's support seduced by Benitez's chippy approach.

 

They want Liverpool as a club and city to be belligerent street fighters and their extreme view of what the Scouse mentality is rooted in militant caricature. Benitez bought into this which is why his behaviour became so erratic.

 

He became obsessed by what the hardcore of fans thought to the detriment of his judgment and the respect of his squad. He was advised to publicly attack the Americans and Fergie to rally support. Merited though it was regarding Hicks and Gillett, it provided an embarrassing, undignified spectacle. Some on the Kop cheered but the rest of the football world mocked him. Rational Liverpool fans buried their head in their hands.

 

Results, not politics, kept him in his job in 2007. He had no shield this time.

 

He and his supporters claimed critics expected too much in demanding the title. Let's get it straight. He hasn't gone because he didn't win the league. He's gone because his team finished below Aston Villa. He's gone because he bought too many bad players. He's gone because his side lost to Reading in the FA Cup. He's gone because Liverpool finished seventh.

 

He's gone because he defended the latter stages of his reign with carefully spun statistics rather than actual performances.

 

 

And he's gone because, despite all this, he tried to shift blame. Many at Liverpool FC saw him as a political opportunist exploiting the ownership farce to present himself as a victim. He even fell out with Fernando Torres as simmering tensions exploded.

 

Much is made of Benitez's peculiar relationship with his players but another strange insight came early last season. Torres struck a hat-trick against Hull and asked for everyone to sign the ball. Benitez took it and wrote 'keep working'.

 

Torres, one of the 'senior players' criticised at the start of what became a dismal campaign, was dejected.

 

Some brushed this off as maintaining the bootroom tradition of a stalwart like Ronnie Moran, who'd end title campaigns by warning his players 'they'll need to do better next season'.

 

But it was argued there was no balance in Benitez's assessments. No ying to the yang.

 

Go back to Shankly, Fergie and Mourinho again and see how often they'd laud their star men.

 

"It's always about him," was the familiar complaint about Rafa. Tracing the beginnings of his decline takes you to his first attack on his own club in Athens, 2007. Before then his rebuilding efforts were magnificent. He was and still is a world-class coach.

 

But hours after defeat to AC Milan in the Champions League final, Benitez held what became a characteristically explosive Press conference. Once he'd crossed that line and (just about) got away with it, he never stopped lighting those fires.

 

A list of complaints which he'd repeat ad infinitum made their debut that day. He wanted more funds, an overhaul of the academy and a smarter business strategy. The implication that former chief executive Rick Parry was costing the club key signings became increasingly blatant.

 

The Americans' fatal error was to try and sack him too soon. The fans' backlash meant it was Parry who left.

Confrontational

 

With a title challenge earning him a new, five-year deal in 2009, Benitez thought he'd won his war. Instead he came up against Christian Purslow at a time when key players' form dipped and injuries took their toll.

 

Vulnerable, Benitez became more confrontational. Purslow soon found himself cast as panto villain amongst the clan referred to in Anfield circles as 'the Rafa mafia'. The poisonous leaks against Purslow were assisted by the careful manipulation of Benitez's sympathisers who laughably complained when the boss became the victim of his own smear tactics.

 

No matter how poor his signings, how inexcusable the performances or how costly his fall-outs, the inference was always he was the one suffering.

 

When the dust settles, Benitez may reflect on what he had at Liverpool and scarcely believe he threw it all away.

 

He had the control he wanted, chances to buy players and a world- class spine which, when the players were firing, could beat anyone.

 

But by picking at the club's scabs so often and so publicly he made himself unmanageable and, consequently, his position was untenable.

 

Some Liverpool fans will always see Benitez as a legend.

 

Others will say had he listened to the notorious advice that irked him so much it wouldn't have gone so badly wrong.

 

Had he 'focused only on coaching and training,' he'd probably have been here for five more years.

[Original202]

Impossible to disagree with any of that.

[BolshieBastard]

The real 'FACTS.'

 

Any manager that pisses off Gerrard and Torres in particular, shows what a poor man manger they really are.

[RedKnight]

Impossible you say? I'd wager a shiny penny that people will, and amid accusations of *deep breath* sunday s*n, shit journo, plotting against Rafa, players should stop crying, Gerrard's a wanker etc.

[gmac]

Purslow soon found himself cast as panto villain amongst the clan referred to in Anfield circles as 'the Rafa mafia'.

 

Poor Christian, feel so sorry for the chap.

[JesseRawlins]

Who are the members of the 'Rafa Mafia'?

 

Macia and Owen Brown ?

[TheResonator]

A ridiculously conjectural article.

 

Anyone can see we've played shit football this season, but the amount of assumption and poor reasoning contained in that piece is staggering.

[Dicko]

I'll take Brian Reade's version thanks.

[Durango]

THEY talk about a 'holy trinity' at Anfield.

 

Bill Shankly said when the fans, the manager and the players forge an unbreakable bond they can 'conquer the world'.

 

Rafa Benitez's Liverpool reign ended because he forgot a key component to the threesome: The players.

 

Buy well, make your team sweat blood for you and get results. It's a basic formula for any boss.

 

Shankly mastered it. He was ruthless but adored as a father figure by those who benefited from his wisdom.

 

His winning philosophy has been applied more successfully by Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho than any recent Liverpool boss.

 

Contrast the scenes of Mourinho leaving Inter Milan with Benitez's Anfield departure. Players broke down in tears in Italy. There will be no hysterics from the Liverpool squad.

 

How did it come to this? This is a man who's inspired plays in his honour and commanded a religious devotion from some fans.

 

As with much at Anfield, image and reality didn't tally. Shankly, like Fergie and Mourinho, adopted an 'us versus the world' mentality.

 

At Liverpool it's been 'Rafa versus the world.' At its worst, it was 'Rafa versus his own club'.

 

The man named after a Spanish matador wasted too much time bull- fighting, waving his red rag.

 

Too often his ire was not aimed against Liverpool's rivals. He targeted his own employers, staff and players.

 

He had much to complain about due to the owners but his gripes were often perceived as self-serving excuses. If you go to war, you need chief lieutenants in the trenches. Benitez had minimal support.

 

From top to bottom Liverpool got sick of him. His exit was the only way to relieve the depression gripping the training ground. His departure should not only leave fans assessing where the club goes but cause some to re-think their own role.

 

There's a flaw in the ethos of a club which too readily makes gods of managers. Such was the cult of Benitez after his first two brilliant cup wins, it was joked Liverpool should put a goatie beard on the Liver bird and change its name to Rafapool.

Misguided

 

Like Gerard Houllier before him, Benitez transformed in the aftermath of early success from humble work-aholic to paranoid eccentric who'd start a fight at a pacifists' convention.

 

He was a serial arsonist. No sooner was one fire extinguished he'd light another match. Working for mad chairmen is an occupational hazard but most managers deal with it in a shrewder manner. There's a well meaning but misguided element of Liverpool's support seduced by Benitez's chippy approach.

 

They want Liverpool as a club and city to be belligerent street fighters and their extreme view of what the Scouse mentality is rooted in militant caricature. Benitez bought into this which is why his behaviour became so erratic.

 

He became obsessed by what the hardcore of fans thought to the detriment of his judgment and the respect of his squad. He was advised to publicly attack the Americans and Fergie to rally support. Merited though it was regarding Hicks and Gillett, it provided an embarrassing, undignified spectacle. Some on the Kop cheered but the rest of the football world mocked him. Rational Liverpool fans buried their head in their hands.

 

Results, not politics, kept him in his job in 2007. He had no shield this time.

 

He and his supporters claimed critics expected too much in demanding the title. Let's get it straight. He hasn't gone because he didn't win the league. He's gone because his team finished below Aston Villa. He's gone because he bought too many bad players. He's gone because his side lost to Reading in the FA Cup. He's gone because Liverpool finished seventh.

 

He's gone because he defended the latter stages of his reign with carefully spun statistics rather than actual performances.

 

 

And he's gone because, despite all this, he tried to shift blame. Many at Liverpool FC saw him as a political opportunist exploiting the ownership farce to present himself as a victim. He even fell out with Fernando Torres as simmering tensions exploded.

 

Much is made of Benitez's peculiar relationship with his players but another strange insight came early last season. Torres struck a hat-trick against Hull and asked for everyone to sign the ball. Benitez took it and wrote 'keep working'.

 

Torres, one of the 'senior players' criticised at the start of what became a dismal campaign, was dejected.

 

Some brushed this off as maintaining the bootroom tradition of a stalwart like Ronnie Moran, who'd end title campaigns by warning his players 'they'll need to do better next season'.

 

But it was argued there was no balance in Benitez's assessments. No ying to the yang.

 

Go back to Shankly, Fergie and Mourinho again and see how often they'd laud their star men.

 

"It's always about him," was the familiar complaint about Rafa. Tracing the beginnings of his decline takes you to his first attack on his own club in Athens, 2007. Before then his rebuilding efforts were magnificent. He was and still is a world-class coach.

 

But hours after defeat to AC Milan in the Champions League final, Benitez held what became a characteristically explosive Press conference. Once he'd crossed that line and (just about) got away with it, he never stopped lighting those fires.

 

A list of complaints which he'd repeat ad infinitum made their debut that day. He wanted more funds, an overhaul of the academy and a smarter business strategy. The implication that former chief executive Rick Parry was costing the club key signings became increasingly blatant.

 

The Americans' fatal error was to try and sack him too soon. The fans' backlash meant it was Parry who left.

Confrontational

 

With a title challenge earning him a new, five-year deal in 2009, Benitez thought he'd won his war. Instead he came up against Christian Purslow at a time when key players' form dipped and injuries took their toll.

 

Vulnerable, Benitez became more confrontational. Purslow soon found himself cast as panto villain amongst the clan referred to in Anfield circles as 'the Rafa mafia'. The poisonous leaks against Purslow were assisted by the careful manipulation of Benitez's sympathisers who laughably complained when the boss became the victim of his own smear tactics.

 

No matter how poor his signings, how inexcusable the performances or how costly his fall-outs, the inference was always he was the one suffering.

 

When the dust settles, Benitez may reflect on what he had at Liverpool and scarcely believe he threw it all away.

 

He had the control he wanted, chances to buy players and a world- class spine which, when the players were firing, could beat anyone.

 

But by picking at the club's scabs so often and so publicly he made himself unmanageable and, consequently, his position was untenable.

 

Some Liverpool fans will always see Benitez as a legend.

 

Others will say had he listened to the notorious advice that irked him so much it wouldn't have gone so badly wrong.

 

Had he 'focused only on coaching and training,' he'd probably have been here for five more years.

 

Par for the course from a snidey horrible vile Cunt,who professes to be a Red.

 

But ey," it's time to cut the Owners some slack"

 

Tommy Docherty famously once said (when he was the Villa Manager and received the dreaded vote of Confidence from Doug Ellis)

"Tommy how do you feel now that Doug as said he's right behind you"

 

"That's what I'm worried about,I'd like Doug to be front of me where I can keep an eye on him"

 

The same applies to that horrible back stabbing Cunt Bascombe

[Ted]

Who's back did he stab?

[RedKnight]

You owe me a shiny penny, Original202!

[JesseRawlins]

Go back to Shankly, Fergie and Mourinho again and see how often they'd laud their star men.

 

31 March

"The captain is always a key player and Steven is key for us. When he gets forward and is working hard then everyone follows him. When important players are pushing forward then everyone else says 'come on, let's follow'. He is the captain going forward with the flag and it's easier when everyone else is with him.

 

"You can see with Steven, Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger, Javier Mascherano, Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher that we have big players pushing and playing well. The others have to follow."

 

20 March

 

Rafael Benitez has praised the goalscoring exploits of Manchester United star Wayne Rooney – but insisted he would never swap him with Fernando Torres.

 

Two of the deadliest strikers in world football go head-to-head when Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday and Benitez has no doubt which one he would prefer to lead the Reds' frontline.

 

"Would I swap? No," said Rafa."Fernando is a fantastic player, so is Rooney. There is no doubt Rooney is very, very good.

 

"But Fernando is our player. The fans here love him and we want to keep him for a very long time.

 

12thFeb

 

Benitez is backing the 25-year-old to bolster that tally over the remainder of the season.

 

"I think he was an amazing signing for the club," he said. "The first year was fantastic. The second year he had some injuries, but still did well. This year, hopefully, he will give us the same as in the first year now that he is back from injury.

 

22nd March 2009

 

Rafael Benitez has hailed Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard as the best front line pairing in world football.

 

After playing key roles in the demolition of both Real Madrid and Manchester United during a glorious week for the Reds, Benitez admits he's struggling to identify a better striking combination anywhere in the game.

 

And he's hoping his deadly double act can fire Liverpool to within one point of Manchester United with victory over Aston Villa later today.

 

"They are both playing really well," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv. "We had an idea of how to play at United and both players did their jobs really well, along with the rest of the team, but these are players who can change games and they were fantastic.

 

"You can look around the world and see a lot of very good players, but these two together give you power, quality, committment and passion on the pitch. It's difficult to find two players together at this level, and that's good for us, the fans and the club.

 

18th May 2010

 

Benitez feels very fortunate to have Reina as his last line of defence.

 

"Reina is a fantastic keeper," the boss told LFC Weekly. "When we need him, he is there. It is well deserved.

 

"He has been fantastic, not only in terms of his performances this season, but also for three or four years in a row. Pepe is a keeper for a top side because he may not be involved in a game, but then he still makes great saves because he is always focused and concentrated. If there are one or two situations in a game, he is ready.

 

and so on and so on.....

[Durango]

Who's back did he stab?

Ah,long time no see,

 

How is the Suited one?

[gkmacca]

There's a lot of truth in that, but the one thing that only Bascombe considers a mystery is why Liverpool managers go from tolerating him to loathing him. He can only explain that by reasoning that the managers gradually go mad.

[23CARRAGOLD]

Go back to Shankly, Fergie and Mourinho again and see how often they'd laud their star men.

 

31 March

"The captain is always a key player and Steven is key for us. When he gets forward and is working hard then everyone follows him. When important players are pushing forward then everyone else says 'come on, let's follow'. He is the captain going forward with the flag and it's easier when everyone else is with him.

 

"You can see with Steven, Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger, Javier Mascherano, Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher that we have big players pushing and playing well. The others have to follow."

 

20 March

 

Rafael Benitez has praised the goalscoring exploits of Manchester United star Wayne Rooney – but insisted he would never swap him with Fernando Torres.

 

Two of the deadliest strikers in world football go head-to-head when Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday and Benitez has no doubt which one he would prefer to lead the Reds' frontline.

 

"Would I swap? No," said Rafa."Fernando is a fantastic player, so is Rooney. There is no doubt Rooney is very, very good.

 

"But Fernando is our player. The fans here love him and we want to keep him for a very long time.

 

12thFeb

 

Benitez is backing the 25-year-old to bolster that tally over the remainder of the season.

 

"I think he was an amazing signing for the club," he said. "The first year was fantastic. The second year he had some injuries, but still did well. This year, hopefully, he will give us the same as in the first year now that he is back from injury.

 

22nd March 2009

 

Rafael Benitez has hailed Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard as the best front line pairing in world football.

 

After playing key roles in the demolition of both Real Madrid and Manchester United during a glorious week for the Reds, Benitez admits he's struggling to identify a better striking combination anywhere in the game.

 

And he's hoping his deadly double act can fire Liverpool to within one point of Manchester United with victory over Aston Villa later today.

 

"They are both playing really well," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv. "We had an idea of how to play at United and both players did their jobs really well, along with the rest of the team, but these are players who can change games and they were fantastic.

 

"You can look around the world and see a lot of very good players, but these two together give you power, quality, committment and passion on the pitch. It's difficult to find two players together at this level, and that's good for us, the fans and the club.

 

18th May 2010

 

Benitez feels very fortunate to have Reina as his last line of defence.

 

"Reina is a fantastic keeper," the boss told LFC Weekly. "When we need him, he is there. It is well deserved.

 

"He has been fantastic, not only in terms of his performances this season, but also for three or four years in a row. Pepe is a keeper for a top side because he may not be involved in a game, but then he still makes great saves because he is always focused and concentrated. If there are one or two situations in a game, he is ready.

 

and so on and so on.....

 

They hear what they want to hear, they see what they want to see. They write what they want to write.

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of News International. Never ceases to amaze.

[Juan Galonso]

Par for the course from a snidey horrible vile Cunt,who professes to be a Red.

 

But ey," it's time to cut the Owners some slack"

 

Tommy Docherty famously once said (when he was the Villa Manager and received the dreaded vote of Confidence from Doug Ellis)

"Tommy how do you feel now that Doug as said he's right behind you"

 

"That's what I'm worried about,I'd like Doug to be front of me where I can keep an eye on him"

 

The same applies to that horrible back stabbing Cunt Bascombe

 

Here we go. Anyone who doesn't profess a dying love of Rafael Benitez is less a Red. Getting a little tiresome now.

 

Ex player who are cunts thread. Something stood out at me before. The majority of them are players who have dared to criticise Rafa in some way shape or form over the past year or so.

 

Whelan, Redknapp, Collymore. Arguably the three most outspoken against the previous manager. I see a pattern emerging here.

[Ted]

Ah,long time no see,

 

How is the Suited one?

 

Boss.

[Coro]

I'll take Brian Reade's version thanks.

 

Me too.

[Anubis]

Go back to Shankly, Fergie and Mourinho again and see how often they'd laud their star men.

 

31 March

"The captain is always a key player and Steven is key for us. When he gets forward and is working hard then everyone follows him. When important players are pushing forward then everyone else says 'come on, let's follow'. He is the captain going forward with the flag and it's easier when everyone else is with him.

 

"You can see with Steven, Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger, Javier Mascherano, Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher that we have big players pushing and playing well. The others have to follow."

 

20 March

 

Rafael Benitez has praised the goalscoring exploits of Manchester United star Wayne Rooney – but insisted he would never swap him with Fernando Torres.

 

Two of the deadliest strikers in world football go head-to-head when Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday and Benitez has no doubt which one he would prefer to lead the Reds' frontline.

 

"Would I swap? No," said Rafa."Fernando is a fantastic player, so is Rooney. There is no doubt Rooney is very, very good.

 

"But Fernando is our player. The fans here love him and we want to keep him for a very long time.

 

12thFeb

 

Benitez is backing the 25-year-old to bolster that tally over the remainder of the season.

 

"I think he was an amazing signing for the club," he said. "The first year was fantastic. The second year he had some injuries, but still did well. This year, hopefully, he will give us the same as in the first year now that he is back from injury.

 

22nd March 2009

 

Rafael Benitez has hailed Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard as the best front line pairing in world football.

 

After playing key roles in the demolition of both Real Madrid and Manchester United during a glorious week for the Reds, Benitez admits he's struggling to identify a better striking combination anywhere in the game.

 

And he's hoping his deadly double act can fire Liverpool to within one point of Manchester United with victory over Aston Villa later today.

 

"They are both playing really well," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv. "We had an idea of how to play at United and both players did their jobs really well, along with the rest of the team, but these are players who can change games and they were fantastic.

 

"You can look around the world and see a lot of very good players, but these two together give you power, quality, committment and passion on the pitch. It's difficult to find two players together at this level, and that's good for us, the fans and the club.

 

18th May 2010

 

Benitez feels very fortunate to have Reina as his last line of defence.

 

"Reina is a fantastic keeper," the boss told LFC Weekly. "When we need him, he is there. It is well deserved.

 

"He has been fantastic, not only in terms of his performances this season, but also for three or four years in a row. Pepe is a keeper for a top side because he may not be involved in a game, but then he still makes great saves because he is always focused and concentrated. If there are one or two situations in a game, he is ready.

 

and so on and so on.....

 

 

 

Add to that Benitez's unequivocal and very public backing of Gerrard after the latter had gotten himself into a bar room brawl, arrested, and charged with assault. You have to wonder what the players want these days - tucking in bed with their teddy bears and having a bedtime story read to them perhaps?

[King Emlyn]

Probably not all on the money but i agree with much of it

[Durango]

Here we go. Anyone who doesn't profess a dying love of Rafael Benitez is less a Red. Getting a little tiresome now.

 

Ex player who are cunts thread. Something stood out at me before. The majority of them are players who have dared to criticise Rafa in some way shape or form over the past year or so.

 

Whelan, Redknapp, Collymore. Arguably the three most outspoken against the previous manager. I see a pattern emerging here.

At times I think your a reasoned debater on this forum,then reality kicks in.

 

 

Whelan,Redknapp and Collymore...........at times you are without doubt,fuckin Clueless

[Juan Galonso]

At times I think your a reasoned debater on this forum,then reality kicks in.

 

 

Whelan,Redknapp and Collymore...........at times you are without doubt,fuckin Clueless

 

Whelan, criticised the manager. NOT THE CLUB

 

Redknapp, criticised the manager. NOT THE CLUB

 

Collymore (I can see why people think he is a cunt to be fair) criticised the manager. NOT THE CLUB.

 

I love you too by the way John xxx

[gmac]

Shit agenda driven article. Trouble is, because of the power of the media people automatically give credence to people like this Bascombe, hence the amount of surrounding fuckwits.

 

The likes of this cunt damage (and worse knowingly) Liverpool, albeit in a different way than some of the other parasites, but damage all the same.