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Rafael Benitez

Rafael Benitez, or ‘Rafa’ as he has become known, had a playing career mainly restricted to the lower leagues of Spanish football, although he did have a spell at Real Madrid but never made a first team appearance. His managing career began at Valladolid followed by several other clubs before he moved to Valencia. In a feat similar to Sir Alex Ferguson breaking the Glaswegian domination of Scottish football he broke the domination of Real Madrid and Barcelona. In 3 years at the club he won 2 league titles and the UEFA Cup. Following this he became the first Spaniard to manage in the Premier League and led Liverpool to European Cup glory in a dramatic final against AC Milan. In his second season he won the FA Cup against West Ham and in 2007 again led Liverpool to the European Cup final, this time finishing runners-up.

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Rafael Benitez backed by Liverpool legend Rafa tells Kop idols to follow his lead and sign deals Benitez seeks swift end to contract talks

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Latest articles

Emiliano Insua demanding a response from Liverpool

20.11.09
Emiliano Insua maintains Liverpool must make a statement of intent at the beginning of a week that will define their season... more

Alberto Aquilani desperate to make first Liverpool start

19.11.09
Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani may have to be patient for a little longer before getting his first start for Liverpool since his £20million summer move from Roma... more

Rafael Benitez concentrating on Premier League glory

18.11.09
Rafael Benitez would rather win the Barclays Premier League trophy than another Champions League title... more

I'll leave if Fernando Torres is sold, says Rafael Benitez

17.11.09
Rafael Benitez will quit as Liverpool boss if star striker Fernando Torres is sold against his will... more

Under-fire Rafael Benitez pins his hopes on Fernando Torres

04.11.09
Rafa Benitez has admitted he is relying on injured striker Fernando Torres to save Liverpool's Champions League dreams... more

Rafael Benitez backed by Liverpool legend

02.11.09
Liverpool are facing the prospect of their worst run of results since the Bill Shankly era started 50 years ago - but under-fire boss Rafael Benitez has received backing from an Anfield legend... more

Alberto Aquilani debut pleases Rafael Benitez

29.10.09
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez feels Alberto Aquilani has already shown just what an asset he will prove to be after finally making his long-awaited debut... more

Arsenal to be first test for Alberto Aquilani

27.10.09
Rafael Benitez has confirmed £20million midfielder Alberto Aquilani will be in Liverpool's travelling party for their Carling Cup clash at Arsenal... more

Struggling Liverpool set for crisis talks ahead of Man United showdown

21.10.09
Javier Mascherano has admitted Liverpool are suffering from a severe lack of confidence after losing 2-1 to Lyon in the Champions League... more

Rafael Benitez still has faith in squad as he bids to stop the rot

20.10.09
Rafael Benitez goes into Liverpool's Champions League clash with Lyon insisting he still has confidence in his squad, despite three defeats in a row... more

Liverpool handed Alberto Aquilani boost

06.10.09
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been given some welcome good news after being told £20million summer signing Alberto Aquilani could make his long-awaited debut later this month... more

We won't be as bad at Chelsea, vows angry Benitez

30.09.09
Rafael Benitez insists Chelsea will face a "very different" Liverpool side from the one that crashed to a 2-0 defeat away to Fiorentina... more

Rafael Benitez: We deserved to go through

23.09.09
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez felt his much-changed team were rewarded for their hard work after edging past Leeds in the Carling Cup... more

Youngsters can learn from Champions League experience, says Rafael Benitez

08.09.09
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes being involved in the Champions League will help the development of the club's youngsters... more

Rafael Benitez charged by FA

01.09.09
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been charged with improper conduct following comments made after their opening-weekend defeat to Tottenham, the Football Association have confirmed... more

Rafael Benitez wants Fernando Torres to concentrate on scoring

19.08.09
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has told Fernando Torres to do his talking by putting the ball in the back of the net... more

Rafael Benitez impressed with Ryan Babel

21.07.09
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has tipped Ryan Babel to become a major force at Anfield this season... more

Rafael Benitez prickly at The Hawthorns

18.05.09
Football: Anyone who felt the on-going row between Rafael Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson was going to end in pleasantries was proved to be sadly mistaken after Liverpool's 2-0 win that relegated West Brom... more

I almost quit - Rafael Benitez

02.04.09
Football: Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted he almost quit Anfield before signing a new five-year deal last month ... more

Cracks showing as Rafa has Fergie on the ropes

23.03.09
Football: With Brian Clough posthumously restored to our thoughts by The Damned United, this seems a useful moment to recall the tightest bunch finish to a title race English football has known... more

Rafa tells Kop idols to follow his lead and sign deals

19.03.09
Football: Rafael Benitez has turned his attention to getting the club’s top stars to sign new deals at Anfield after he committed himself to the club until 2014 ... more

Rafael Benitez's Liverpool highs and lows

19.03.09
Football: From winning the Champions League in his first season to publicly falling out with the club's American owners, Rafael Benitez's time in charge of Liverpool has certainly been eventful. Here are some of the highs and lows from his time at Anfield so far...... more

Keane: I'd have been a hit without Rafa

18.03.09
Football: Robbie Keane claims he would have been a success at Liverpool if Rafael Benitez had not been manager... more

We must win the lot to lift title, says Rafa

16.03.09
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has set Liverpool the target of winning their remaining nine games if they want to clinch the League title... more

Benitez seeks swift end to contract talks

16.02.09
Football: Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has called for his contract negotiations to be brought to a positive conclusion after denying he wants total control of transfers ... more

Benitez believes in Reds reserves

04.02.09
Football: Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists the Reds will not be reliant on Fernando Torres for the remainder of the season following Robbie Keane's return to Tottenham... more

Benitez: we had to cut our losses on Robbie Keane

03.02.09
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has claimed he had no option but to sell Robbie Keane back to Tottenham... more

Scolari backs Benitez over attack on Fergie

30.01.09
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has told the critics to get off Rafael Benitez's back ahead of their meeting with Liverpool at Anfield... more

Rafa left talking 'crazy' as Reds slip again

29.01.09
Rafael Benitez showed increasing signs of strain after his team dropped more points in the title race with a 1-1 draw at Wigan... more

We must forget woes and improve, warns Rafa

19.01.09
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has told his players they must put their recent troubles behind them and focus on tonight's Merseyside derby... more

More related topics: Rafael Benitez and

  • Facts
  • ‘Rafa’ joined the Real Madrid coaching staff at the age of 26.
  • Liverpool’s best League performance under Benitez was second in 2008/9.
  • Benitez’s attack on Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United at the end of 2008 has been labelled by many as the turning point of Liverpool’s season.

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