Liverpool FC Forum

by **stmichael** » Wed May 26, 2004 12:47 pm

VALENCIA COACH Rafael Benitez will become the next manager of Liverpool Football Club.

After days of speculation the ECHO can reveal he is the board's number one target - and the Reds expect to land their man.

Benitez, (left), will jump at the chance to follow Gerard Houllier into the Anfield hot-seat. He has already told associates he is relishing the prospect.

And while there are still negotiations to take place and technicalities to overcome, the Kop will see Benitez take charge for Liverpool's first Premiership game in August.

It could still take several weeks for the 44-year-old's appointment to be rubber-stamped, but Benitez quickly emerged as the unanimous choice of the Liverpool board.

His pedigree ranks him as one of Europe's greatest coaches and his arrival will represent a stunning coup for chairman David Moores and chief executive Rick Parry.

The Spanish La Liga is regarded the toughest in world football, but Benitez recently led Valencia to their second league title in three years.

Last week, he also lifted the UEFA Cup when his side comfortably defeated Liverpool's conquerors Marseille.

He did so without significant financial backing and an on-going dispute with members of his board may be one of the reasons behind his desire to come to Liverpool.

by **simic_ie** » Wed May 26, 2004 1:06 pm

If he is the man I'd be surprised if the board will take so long to confirm it, that would mean the whole summer would be wasted. There is rumours that he has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave provided he gives Valencia 15 days written notice, without any compensation needed to be payed.

by **supersub** » Wed May 26, 2004 1:12 pm

The Echo is leading with the story on the front page.The deal will be formerly completed when Rick Parry returns from his 2 week holiday.

by **anfieldadorer** » Wed May 26, 2004 1:26 pm

Tasting my new experience !

I will also post it to the general forum as I think it will be beneficial to the others.

Rafael Benítez

Birth : 16/04/1960
City : Madrid
Country: España

MARITAL STATUS : Married, two daughter

ACADEMIC STUDIES :
• National Football Coach. Title obtained in the XXXII National Course that took place in Albacete (June - July of 1989)
• Degree in Physical Education by the National Institute of Physical Education (INE) assigned to the Polytechnic University of Madrid, in 1982

WORK EXPERIENCE :
• Castilla "B" Youth team. Seasons 86/87, 87/88 and 88/89
• Real Madrid CF Youth team "B". Seasons 89/90 and 90/91
• Real Madrid CF Sub - 19. Season 90/91,91/92 and 92/93
• Real Madrid "B" (2nd Division). Season 93/94
• Real Madrid CF (2nd coach with Vicente del Bosque). Season 93/94
• Real Madrid CF "B" (2nd Division). Season 94/95
• Real Valladolid CF (1st Division). Season 95/96
• CA Osasuna (2nd Division). Season 96/97
• Extremadura CF (2nd Division). Season 97/98
• Extremadura CF (1st Division). Season 98/99
• CD Tenerife (2nd Division). Season 00/01

RECORD :
• League Champion with Castilla "B". Seasons 86/87 and 88/89
• Preferente League Champion with Real Madrid CF Youth team.Season 89/90
• Cup Champion with Real Madrid CF Under-19. Season 90/91
• League and Cup Champion with Real Madrid CF Under-19. Season 92/93
• Promotion to 1st Division with Extremadura CF. Season 97/98
• Promotion to 1st Division with CD Tenerife. Season 00/01

OTHER INFORMATION OF INTEREST :
• "Soccer" teacher in CAMP of Davis University (USA) in August of 1990.
•5 times International for Spain University, in the Mexico Universiada in 1979.
• As a footballer, he played in the lower categories of Real Madrid from the 73/74 season up until the 80/81 season. In 1981 he signed up for AD Parla, where he played in 3rd and 2nd Division B in the 81/82, 82/83, 83/84 and 84/85 seasons. He ended his footballer carrier in Linares CF, playing in 2nd Division B in the 85/86 season.
•Commentator and analyst in several communication media: Telemadrid (96/97), Eurosport (Eurocopa 2000), Cadena COPE (96/00), MARCA (99/00), El Mundo, FUTVOL.COM, NAVEGALIA.COM
•Speaker in several universities, congresses, schools and official centres (INEF, CEE, FMF) about topics related to football.

NEW CONTRACT:
TEAM: Valencia Club de Fútbol, SAD
SEASONS: 2

by **dawson99** » Wed May 26, 2004 1:37 pm

i have been keeping an eye on the odds for the next manager and most bookies have now closed the book on benetiz altho u can still get 8/13 i think with some places.
As for him getting the job, think he'll bring anyone with him?
we have been linked with ayala so who knows
valencia do have a pretty tidy defence tho so one of them wouldnt hurt us if they came

by **simic_ie** » Wed May 26, 2004 1:40 pm

If Benitez and Ayala came I wouldbe a very happy camper indeed... Although i'd like to see, Mexes come in too cos Ayala is gettin on and we stll need that bit of pace.

by **Stan Laurel** » Wed May 26, 2004 1:40 pm

I looked Rafael Benitez's record, I am quite impressed with his record actually, but I don't know much about him. Seems to me that he is quiet and shy man, I may be wrong.

He made Raul to become World Class player, so I didn't realise it was Benitez, so if he is going to agree to become new Liverpool manager, then I would be happy to welcome him at Anfield.

by **JBG** » Wed May 26, 2004 2:57 pm

If this is true it could be the move that finally sets us back on track.

I have a feeling all will be revealed on Thursday as Jose Mourinho will announce then what he's doing next season and I think there's a board meeting on Thursday as well.

by **greenred** » Wed May 26, 2004 3:05 pm

Hold the back page there boys.Benitez has given an interview this afternoon to say he is NOT leaving Valencia and he is certainly NOT joining Liverpool.

by **jonnymac1979** » Wed May 26, 2004 3:08 pm

greenred wrote:Hold the back page there boys.Benitez has given an interview this afternoon to say he is NOT leaving Valencia and he is certainly NOT joining Liverpool.

Yeah, i've heard that his main priority is still Valencia.

It's just media propaganda, I hope he'll come to us.

by **JBG** » Wed May 26, 2004 3:18 pm

I think we'll have a better idea tomorrow when Mourinho announces what he's doing.

by **woof woof !** » Wed May 26, 2004 3:25 pm

No doubt about the mans ability but I for one have been disappointed with Valencias "style" . Before you all jump on me YES they win things but I was hoping for a mgr that might bring us a fast attractive attacking football philosophy.
Maybe I'm asking for too much

.

by **simic_ie** » Wed May 26, 2004 3:28 pm

I'd prefer a team you can do both... they may not be the best at either but they are good at both. This is the way Valencia are, remeber, for a so called defensive and boring team they took is apart twice in the Champs League a season agee, embarrassed us, as for this manager thing... what a rollercoaster. I'd be surprised as well if there wasn't something about the rumour, the Echo is usually on the ball with this kind of stuff

by **dawson99** » Wed May 26, 2004 3:40 pm

i think benitez has just ruled himself out of the running as the new manager of us. Just something i heard on sky sports news and as usual the bookies are quick to act with bet365 biggest price at 9/4 now.
luckily i got some 12/1 on mourinho but no doubt tomorrow it will all change again

by **big al** » Wed May 26, 2004 3:43 pm

I think JBG is right we'll have to wait and see who gets the job but I really don't believe it will be Benitez. Valencia will move heaven and earth to keep him, Additionally they are perhaps the only club that can break the starngle hold Barca and Real have had on La Liga. Valencia is one of the fastest growing cities in Spain as more and more Northern Europeans are settling in the general area.

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