by azriahmad » Thu Jun 17, 2004 4:05 am
Benitez was credited with pushing Raul into Real Madrid's senior squad when he was the youth team coach.
Benitez also won 2 Primera Liga titles with Valencia against the likes of Real Madrid, Barca and Deprotivo, clubs who are known to pay silly money to get players. Benitez has also won the UEFA Cup with Valencia.
Benitez left Valencia because he was fed up with having to fight with the Director of football to get the players he wanted. Last season, Valencia won the league without a natural goalscorer and Mista who is not a regular out and out striker scored loads. Benitez wanted a striker but Valencia bought something else, yet he still managed to win the league.
I respect O'Neill, and his achievements. Given his success in Scotland and how he gor Celtic to whup Liverpool, I'd think the man will be a good manager for LFC. Likewise, I think Benitez will be a good manager for LFC. Both these men have shown a good tactical head and to make do with what they have and excel with those limited resources.
Before he came to Liverpool, Houllier had only won the French league with RC Lens, and after that he became the French national coach with disasterous results. He is good technically, but not so on the management front. We all gave him a chance.
Give this guy a chance. He is at least a winner, not like Houllier who clearly is not. I would have been upset if LFC appointed someone like Strachan instead of O'Neill. But noe, we have a proven winner like Benitez. Let's give him a chance. Don't forget that his Valencia totally outplayed us in 3 games (2 in CL, 1 friendly) and beat us every time.