Liverpool FC Forum

[bunglemark2]

Thread full of it on RAWK ...mention of his lack of popularity among other managers... and Martinez was the only one who stood up for him (Spanish tokenism).

Ronnie Whelan has it in for Rafa, its personal... therefore his judgement is skewed and hyper critical. He aint the sharpest (theres a shock), is a pundit on a show that contains the diplomatic shrinking violet Eamon Dunphy...so Whelan whose voice hasn't yet broke has to be outspoken to stand out, and he waffles alot.

Mate, I think you're talking a lot of pooh, to be honest...

Ronnie Whelan IS a to$$er alright, but some of what he saays DOES in fact make sense. The Manure allegiance though is totally unforgivable.

[Kerry07]

Thread full of it on RAWK ...mention of his lack of popularity among other managers... and Martinez was the only one who stood up for him (Spanish tokenism).

Ronnie Whelan has it in for Rafa, its personal... therefore his judgement is skewed and hyper critical. He aint the sharpest (theres a shock), is a pundit on a show that contains the diplomatic shrinking violet Eamon Dunphy...so Whelan whose voice hasn't yet broke has to be outspoken to stand out, and he waffles alot.

Mate, I think you're talking a lot of pooh, to be honest...

Ronnie Whelan IS a to$$er alright, but some of what he saays DOES in fact make sense. The Manure allegiance though is totally unforgivable.

No i agree with quite a bit of what he says... but because he has it in for Rafa he often goes overboard... and can appear spiteful

[Ben Patrick]

The Wolves game was crying out for a bit of attacking invention...while creative players Aquilani and Pacheco remained sat on the bench, limited workhorses Lucas and kuyt stayed on. Again, he favours obedient yes men. We had 1 shot on target in 90 minutes, and Rafa at FT saying it was a "fair result"

He just accepts it...he doesnt go for the jugular. This is what seperates Rafa from the very best... dare i say it Whiskey nose. Rafa lacks balls... he lacks personality, lacks emotion, hes a very good manager...not a great one. United keep attacking to the death (the old Liverpool) with waves of pass and move -- saw yet again midweek when Rooney got the winner. Such drive, proactive, forward thinking  management aint Rafas style. Hes passive.


Id take Mourinho or Hiddink in a heartbeat.

Totally agree.

I think the stoke game was similar too, no creativity.
We appear to be hoping we can nick a goal and then protect it.
Add up the goal attempts in the two games - it would be disgraceful.

[Paul C]

Is Rafa on his way to Turin?

By Anthony Sormani
Jan 28, 2010 9:00:00 PM

Rafael Benitez, Liverpool According to Sky Sport Italia, a meeting has taken place between Juventus and the legal team of Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez in Milan, with the Bianconeri pushing for a deal that will see the Spaniard take over in Turin immediately.

Reports have been rife in the press all week that tonight's Coppa Italia game against Inter will be the last on the bench for coach Ciro Ferrara, who will then move upstairs into a director role.

A whole host of names have been linked as Ferrara's successor, including Giovanni Trapattoni, Guus Hiddink, Alberto Zaccheroni and Claudio Gentile. The latter duo were believed to be the favourites, with speculation that one would take over on a short term contract until the end of the season when a big name would be appointed on a permanent basis.

One of these big names was Rafa Benitez, who had emerged over the last few days as the favourite for the permanent position.

However, Sky Sport Italia are now claiming that a meeting has taken place in Milan between Juventus and the Benitez legal team, with the Old Lady hoping to entice the Spaniard to Turin immediately.

These reports have not been confirmed officially by either club, but there have been widespread reports today that Juventus president Jean-Claude Blanc flew to England to discuss this move.

More should become clear in the coming hours, but the fact that Benitez has a contract until 2014 and Liverpool are on the verge of economic collapse may mean that the Merseysiders will be happy to release the ex-Valencia man and not have to pay him compensation.

[Sir Roger]

you can all take this p!ss out of this kerry poster but we all know he has a point. rafa acts like a robot and wants his players to act like robots. i too would love to see him more animated, more dynamic, more involved with the players during the game. i'd love to see him make the slightest gesture of happiness when we score a goal, i'd love to hear him praise players when they have done well, and also to make it clear when they haven't. i'd love him to be the kind of manager that motivates his players and makes them want to play for him, run through walls for him, believe in him.

i know that some will counter that he must be doing allright because we came within a sniff last season, yada yada yada. but as long as he's been here there have been players voicing their concern about the way they are treated, and we arguably lost one of our most influential players because of it. and pennant!! i'm sure that if he was the motivational, 'lets form a gang and wipe the floor with everyone, boys' type of manager we'd probably of kept it going and won the prem last season, and we'd sure as eggs be performing a lot better this one.

Egg Zachary!

Thing is we did come within a sniff of winning the league...only because in late January Rafa after a series of draws playing a defensive system, and now playing catch-up, he stated..."we have to go for the 3 points". Errr...why not that mentality from August?? We came within a sniff of winning the league with Alonso at the heart of midfield as the crucial pivot linking defence with attack... who has since left the club after Rafa alienated him over his kids birth, and hawking him around Europe for a buyer.

Rafa cuts off his nose to spite his face...his stubborness and lack of warmth, emotion, flexibility... means the team is very constrained, regimented... no flowing football.

You speak too much sense and maybe dont belong here...?

[Kerry07]

you can all take this p!ss out of this kerry poster but we all know he has a point. rafa acts like a robot and wants his players to act like robots. i too would love to see him more animated, more dynamic, more involved with the players during the game. i'd love to see him make the slightest gesture of happiness when we score a goal, i'd love to hear him praise players when they have done well, and also to make it clear when they haven't. i'd love him to be the kind of manager that motivates his players and makes them want to play for him, run through walls for him, believe in him.

i know that some will counter that he must be doing allright because we came within a sniff last season, yada yada yada. but as long as he's been here there have been players voicing their concern about the way they are treated, and we arguably lost one of our most influential players because of it. and pennant!! i'm sure that if he was the motivational, 'lets form a gang and wipe the floor with everyone, boys' type of manager we'd probably of kept it going and won the prem last season, and we'd sure as eggs be performing a lot better this one.

Egg Zachary!

Thing is we did come within a sniff of winning the league...only because in late January Rafa after a series of draws playing a defensive system, and now playing catch-up, he stated..."we have to go for the 3 points". Errr...why not that mentality from August?? We came within a sniff of winning the league with Alonso at the heart of midfield as the crucial pivot linking defence with attack... who has since left the club after Rafa alienated him over his kids birth, and hawking him around Europe for a buyer.

Rafa cuts off his nose to spite his face...his stubborness and lack of warmth, emotion, flexibility... means the team is very constrained, regimented... no flowing football.

You speak too much sense and maybe dont belong here...?

*euphemism* GET LOST

[Sir Roger]

you can all take this p!ss out of this kerry poster but we all know he has a point. rafa acts like a robot and wants his players to act like robots. i too would love to see him more animated, more dynamic, more involved with the players during the game. i'd love to see him make the slightest gesture of happiness when we score a goal, i'd love to hear him praise players when they have done well, and also to make it clear when they haven't. i'd love him to be the kind of manager that motivates his players and makes them want to play for him, run through walls for him, believe in him.

i know that some will counter that he must be doing allright because we came within a sniff last season, yada yada yada. but as long as he's been here there have been players voicing their concern about the way they are treated, and we arguably lost one of our most influential players because of it. and pennant!! i'm sure that if he was the motivational, 'lets form a gang and wipe the floor with everyone, boys' type of manager we'd probably of kept it going and won the prem last season, and we'd sure as eggs be performing a lot better this one.

Egg Zachary!

Thing is we did come within a sniff of winning the league...only because in late January Rafa after a series of draws playing a defensive system, and now playing catch-up, he stated..."we have to go for the 3 points". Errr...why not that mentality from August?? We came within a sniff of winning the league with Alonso at the heart of midfield as the crucial pivot linking defence with attack... who has since left the club after Rafa alienated him over his kids birth, and hawking him around Europe for a buyer.

Rafa cuts off his nose to spite his face...his stubborness and lack of warmth, emotion, flexibility... means the team is very constrained, regimented... no flowing football.

You speak too much sense and maybe dont belong here...?

*euphemism* GET LOST

[woof woof !]

Is Rafa on his way to Turin?

By Anthony Sormani
Jan 28, 2010 9:00:00 PM

Rafael Benitez, Liverpool According to Sky Sport Italia, a meeting has taken place between Juventus and the legal team of Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez in Milan, with the Bianconeri pushing for a deal that will see the Spaniard take over in Turin immediately.

Reports have been rife in the press all week that tonight's Coppa Italia game against Inter will be the last on the bench for coach Ciro Ferrara, who will then move upstairs into a director role.

A whole host of names have been linked as Ferrara's successor, including Giovanni Trapattoni, Guus Hiddink, Alberto Zaccheroni and Claudio Gentile. The latter duo were believed to be the favourites, with speculation that one would take over on a short term contract until the end of the season when a big name would be appointed on a permanent basis.

One of these big names was Rafa Benitez, who had emerged over the last few days as the favourite for the permanent position.

However, Sky Sport Italia are now claiming that a meeting has taken place in Milan between Juventus and the Benitez legal team, with the Old Lady hoping to entice the Spaniard to Turin immediately.

These reports have not been confirmed officially by either club, but there have been widespread reports today that Juventus president Jean-Claude Blanc flew to England to discuss this move.

More should become clear in the coming hours, but the fact that Benitez has a contract until 2014 and Liverpool are on the verge of economic collapse may mean that the Merseysiders will be happy to release the ex-Valencia man and not have to pay him compensation.

Notice in an interview today he didn't come out and say "I'm not going".

He more or less said "there was an approach but people talk too much" and that he wanted to focus on the Bolton game.

He didn't take the opportunity to dismiss the speculation.

[teamleader1]

Notice in an interview today he didn't come out and say "I'm not going".

He more or less said "there was an approach but people talk too much" and that he wanted to focus on the Bolton game.

He didn't take the opportunity to dismiss the speculation.[/quote]
He also said in interview that we played well against Wolves

He didnte take that opportunity to admit we were hopeless

[LFC2007]

As much as i respect Rafa for his strategic analysis (massively contributing to his 56% win ratio)..as a man i have no time for him.

[Emerald Red]

Is Rafa on his way to Turin?

By Anthony Sormani
Jan 28, 2010 9:00:00 PM

Rafael Benitez, Liverpool According to Sky Sport Italia, a meeting has taken place between Juventus and the legal team of Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez in Milan, with the Bianconeri pushing for a deal that will see the Spaniard take over in Turin immediately.

Reports have been rife in the press all week that tonight's Coppa Italia game against Inter will be the last on the bench for coach Ciro Ferrara, who will then move upstairs into a director role.

A whole host of names have been linked as Ferrara's successor, including Giovanni Trapattoni, Guus Hiddink, Alberto Zaccheroni and Claudio Gentile. The latter duo were believed to be the favourites, with speculation that one would take over on a short term contract until the end of the season when a big name would be appointed on a permanent basis.

One of these big names was Rafa Benitez, who had emerged over the last few days as the favourite for the permanent position.

However, Sky Sport Italia are now claiming that a meeting has taken place in Milan between Juventus and the Benitez legal team, with the Old Lady hoping to entice the Spaniard to Turin immediately.

These reports have not been confirmed officially by either club, but there have been widespread reports today that Juventus president Jean-Claude Blanc flew to England to discuss this move.

More should become clear in the coming hours, but the fact that Benitez has a contract until 2014 and Liverpool are on the verge of economic collapse may mean that the Merseysiders will be happy to release the ex-Valencia man and not have to pay him compensation.

Notice in an interview today he didn't come out and say "I'm not going".

He more or less said "there was an approach but people talk too much" and that he wanted to focus on the Bolton game.

He didn't take the opportunity to dismiss the speculation.

i just heard on the news that he said he was flattered and that he was going nowhere.

[Reg]

Bear in mind the Italian media are terrible gossips with exaggerated imaginations.

[Dundalk]

Like the English press aren't   

[Reg]

The Times January 29, 2010

Rafael Benitez 'proud' to be linked with Juventus post


Rafael Benitez has refused to dismiss speculation linking him with the manager's job at Juventus.

Last night, Liverpool officials issued a series of denials after it was reported that Benítez was on the verge of leaving Anfield to coach Juventus next season. The Turin club sacked Ciro Ferrara today after Inter Milan knocked them out of the Italian Cup at the San Siro last night, a result that followed a run of five defeats in six league matches. Alberto Zaccheroni has taken charge until the end of the season.

Benitez admitted that he was flattered by the Italian club's interest in him, but insisted he was "happy" at Anfield.

"I am not here to talk about speculation because people talk too much," Benitez said. "I am focused on preparing my team for the game against Bolton.

"I know they [Juventus] were interested, that is part of the game now in football, but I am not ready to talk too much because I don't want to lose my focus.

"When you are a manager and you have clubs asking you have to be proud because they are a top side in Europe but I am really happy here and want to do my job as best I can."

Benitez signed a five-year contract at Anfield ten months ago and it is unlikely that the manager would leave of his own volition at this stage of the season. Benitez’s relationship with Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr has been fractious at times but it would cost the American owners about £12 million to push the manager out of Anfield.

Benítez has turned down a number of tempting offers to leave Liverpool — from Premier League clubs as well as abroad — but has remained committed to Anfield. However, Liverpool’s poor run of form and lack of financial support from the owners, who are desperate for new investment, have worn him down.

[Boocity]

Bear in mind the Italian media are terrible gossips with exaggerated imaginations.

Ever read the News of the World or the Sunday Sport Reg, I think you would realise the utter cr@p we have to put up with.