Real Madrid line up former Liverpool boss
Last week, Rafael Benitez was talking up the prospect of a return to Liverpool but the Spanish tactician could instead be returning to his homeland seven years after leaving his position as Valencia manager, according to a story broken by radio station Onda Cero.
They report that Benitez has signed an agreement with Real Madrid, whose youth and B teams he led at the start of his coaching career, stating that he will take charge in the summer if Jose Mourinho either decides to walk away or is axed by success-hungry president Florentino Perez.
While the political situation at the Bernabeu has calmed since the Special One got his own way in January and the club brought in Emmanuel Adebayor to enhance his attacking options, odds of [1.6] are offered on Betfair on Mourinho departing before the start of next season.
The much sought-after Portuguese boss has talked up his interest in a return to the Premier League several times and stated that his next job will be in England, though unless Manchester City miss out on the top four or Roman Abramovich welcomes him back, there may not be any major vacancies.
That weakens the possibility of him resigning and indicates that the strongest chance of him exiting the Spanish capital would be having been pushed for failing to deliver either La Liga or the Champions League, but regardless, it is believed that Perez is eager to prepare a Plan B now.
Benitez remains highly rated in Spain having twice guided Valencia to the title, the only occasions in the last decade that Real Madrid and Barcelona have been denied, and lifted the Champions League in his first campaign at Anfield, however his failure at Inter suggests he isn't the ideal choice of successor to Mourinho!
Could Benitez be the man to end Barcelona's La Liga dominance? Tell us below...
Published: 31 Mar 2011
magnumopus (March 31, 2011 9:54 AM) said:
I disagree with your final statement... I think Rafa is ideal for Real! He knows how to beat Barca and many players say they have become better players under Rafa's managing, like Torres.
The Inter job was not so bad for him because he won 2 cups before demanding money to replace the injured and aging team that Moaningho left him. He is a demanding manager and when those who need to help him do so he is a top winner no matter which league. Whoever gets him next will be getting top quality for sure...
Bargeass (March 31, 2011 10:38 AM) said:
lol. Yes he can boring football to Real. Oh wait, they already have Mourinho for that. Wont be much of change then..
momo giraf (March 31, 2011 5:54 PM) said:
How is this a 'Liverpool' story?
Zain (March 31, 2011 8:37 PM) said:
Rafa is such a terrible manager if Real Madrid want him!
Mikey76 (March 31, 2011 10:28 PM) said:
The biggest myth about Benitez is that he plays boring football. Mourinho does. Benitez played wonderful attacking football at Valencia and at Liverpool - the pinnacle being season 08-09, where Liverpool were top scorers in the league. If he was given money for the players he wanted, Liverpool would have won title 19 by now. Instead the former owners had to pay off their debts and the team suffered.
He would do fine at Madrid, better than Maureen I think.
civediamo (April 1, 2011 1:36 AM) said:
And Bargeass your point exactly is?
Anonymous (April 1, 2011 4:39 AM) said:
He is one of d best in d word of football
Phil (April 1, 2011 5:50 PM) said:
It frustrates me so much when Liverpool fans have this idolisation for Benitez and think he could do no wrong.
Do you remember when Torres first went there and he would rest him early in the season. He did it so many times with him and other star players saying that they would be fresh for the title run in. The problem was they were never in the title race.
He also technically failed to qualify for the champions league twice. The first year he was in charge they only got in due to winning it after finishing fith in the league (almost lost Gerrard to Chelsea in the process).
He was also the reason we lost Alonso because of the way he had tried to flog him for 12m the previous season.
He kept on getting rid of good players and replaced them with crap. Anyone remember Kromkamp, Josemi etc.
He always prioritised the champions league and
he constantly played defensive players with negative tactics relying on the long ball.
He was a good champions league manager initially but was no good for the premier league and he has become increasingly weird and stubborn.
Alex (April 2, 2011 7:30 AM) said:
Blimey when i saw this headline i thought Hodgson was on the move again!