Topic: Rafael Benitez

[sms1986]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2019/jul/02/i-want-to-leave-a-legacy-benitez-joins-dalian-yifang-after-newcastle-exit-video

Here's the Wikipedia page for their current season, Dalian are currently in seventh - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Dalian_Yifang_F.C._season. They've won their last three league games, two of those under Rafa.

They're also being linked to Salomon Rondon.

[So… Howard Philips]

To be honest, I'm not overly thrilled about him going to China either because it's about as far from a project you can get (same with Real Madrid) but it's his career and his choice. If he wants to cash out, he can do since he's put up with a lot of shit at Newcastle so I'll give him a bye on this one. He's probably also gone to get away from the English media, explore a new culture, etc. However, one thing he is not is sly.

In fact it's his honesty that's been his downfall, he could have kept his mouth shut and still been our manager.

[Chakan]

In fact it's his honesty that's been his downfall, he could have kept his mouth shut and still been our manager.

We wouldn't exist as a club if Rafa had kept his mouth shut

[So… Howard Philips]

We wouldn't exist as a club if Rafa had kept his mouth shut

True but I'm sure if he had been sly and kept quiet he would have been amply rewarded.

But he spoke out and the rest is history.

[Hazell]

True but I'm sure if he had been sly and kept quiet he would have been amply rewarded.

But he spoke out and the rest is history.

But he is sly apparently?

[Chakan]

True but I'm sure if he had been sly and kept quiet he would have been amply rewarded.

But he spoke out and the rest is history.

Amply rewarded with what?

[tubby]

After that shit show at Newcastle I don't think anyone can give him any stick for going to China.  He's there for the money, but it is what it is.  Good luck to him.

[So… Howard Philips]

Amply rewarded with what?

If he'd have kept quiet about what H&G were up to they wouldn't have sacked him .

But he went public and lost his job.

Someone who was sly wouldn't have gone public.

[Chakan]

If he'd have kept quiet about what H&G were up to they wouldn't have sacked him .

But he went public and lost his job.

Someone who was sly wouldn't have gone public.

So he would be rewarded with keeping his job at a club that would probably have gone into administration. Sounds like an ample reward to me.

[classycarra]

So he would be rewarded with keeping his job at a club that would probably have gone into administration. Sounds like an ample reward to me.

Relax and take a moment. He is sticking up for Rafa, not saying he shouldn't have spoken out!

[So… Howard Philips]

Relax and take a moment. He is sticking up for Rafa, not saying he shouldn't have spoken out!

Ta. Saves me replying.

[Chakan]

Ta. Saves me replying.

I know i'm just confused what rewards he would have gotten. That's the part that makes no sense to me.

The were no rewards for staying quiet other than keeping a job which would have been lost a season or 2 later anyway.

[So… Howard Philips]

I know i'm just confused what rewards he would have gotten. That's the part that makes no sense to me.

The were no rewards for staying quiet other than keeping a job which would have been lost a season or 2 later anyway.

But a sly man would have renegotiated a mega contract just to keep quiet and fuck the club going into administration. After all players contracts were renegotiated.

But for the record, I don't think Rafa is sly. No, not ever!!

[Chakan]

But a sly man would have renegotiated a mega contract just to keep quiet and fuck the club going into administration. After all players contracts were renegotiated.

But for the record, I don't think Rafa is sly. No, not ever!!

Couldn't find a picture of him being sly either...

[Phil M]

Looks like he has the signing on Salomon Rondon sealed for Dalian. He must love working with him. He was brilliant last season.

[zabadoh]

http://www.rafabenitez.com/web/in/news/rafa-bentez-our-goal-create-legacy/3839

He's signed a contract for 2 1/2 years.

The club is backed by the Wanda Group, one of those big Chinese conglomerates that seems to specialize in entertainment:  Movie theater chains AMC in the US, Hoyt in Australia, Legendary Entertainment movie production, et al.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wanda_Group

[sms1986]

Yeah, that's from a few weeks ago. So far they have two wins and one defeat with him as manager although the defeat was against a team 23 points ahead of them.

[potatomato33]

I'm looking at the list of managers in the Chinese Super League and a few names stuck out: Jordi Cruyff (yes, son of Johan), Fabio Cannavaro, and Luis Garcia (unfortunately, not ours). I'm surprised he went to Dalian of all places though, because it's a really shitty location.