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 three years at the club he won two 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. After a disappointing season in 2009/10, which saw Liverpool finishing seventh in the Premier League, Benitez left Anfield and shortly afterwards became manager of Inter Milan.
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Morning:
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