Topic: An overdue tribute to Mr. Rafael Benitez

[Luis JFT96]

That´s why Phoenix Wright  is a legend!

Thanks mate (no te rías mucho de mi traducción de pre-escolar, jajaja)

[Ambrosia]

Thanks Luiz and Phoenix for translating it.

Rafa, i see, is classy as ever. Taking no credit for Torres' development. Contrast that to Houllier with Gerrard...

[Wesley Pipes]

If you see how the Mancs get weaker every year, very slowly though, makes it even worse... with Rafa still be here and some decent owners there would be a good chance for us overtaking them..

but the way it is, the worst seems just around the door...

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

We don't have to overtake F**k all!

We have the same league titles and more European cups, The Mancs ain't got shit on us!

[tea_tree]

Rafa Benítez for Don Balón (spanish football magazine). A transcription where he talk about Liverpool:

- When you talk about Liverpool, something shines on your eyes…

Always, I always will have Liverpool FC in my heart. Living history of world football and over everything, its supporters which are far over the owners who are at the head of a club with the prestige and category of this one. They have been six unforgettable years in which I have received a lot of affection. I can't ask for more than have a similar time in Inter de Milán. With that, I would be realized.

- Knowing red's economy… How more seasons do you see Torres as a red?

It's clear that this is a question for him and his family. As you can understand, I can't and mustn't talk about this. What I can say is I wish Fernando all the best, as footballer and as person, at all levels and plays wherever he plays. I want him to be as happy as he can, that arrives so high as he can and that scores many goals, like the one he did against Germany. I wish him all the best.

- What did you work with Torres to transform him from a striker with fame of "missing chances" to one with fame of "deadly"?

The best attribute of Fernando is his potential. If Fernando wasn't good, truly good, it would be really difficult haven't made anything important with him. He has his qualities and he arrived with those qualities to Liverpool. Then we only tried that he watched more for the goal and worked on that, himself the first. We worked on the accuracy and other little concepts, everything came from working. Everything else, I repeat, is his natural talent and don't forget it, about a team that supported him and supporters that made him fly.

This is why Rafa is a legend. He actually diminished his role in Torres' development and deflected all the Praise to his natural ability, the team and the supporters. A true gent and forever a legend in my eyes. YNWA Rafael Benitez!

[aggerman]

Fantastic read that. 

[zero zero]

Everything else, I repeat, is his natural talent and don't forget it, about a team that supported him and supporters that made him fly.

That's just a great line.

Cheers chaps

[lawrie]

"...and supporters that made him fly."


don't know why but that bit just brought tears to my eyes

[IndianaRed]

"...and supporters that made him fly."


don't know why but that bit just brought tears to my eyes

c'mon now, i'm all for a bit of nice sentiment but a small quote like that makes you cry? get a hold of yerself

[Red Rascal]

"...and supporters that made him fly."

But it's true and that is why Torres is staying, because of "supporters that made him fly." You cannot deny that Torres being in LFC represents Rafa and the idea of Liverpool as Champions and nothing more...

[lawrie]

c'mon now, i'm all for a bit of nice sentiment but a small quote like that makes you cry? get a hold of yerself

Have a heart - I'm hormonal!!

[Red Rascal]

My tribute
career
1986/87
Castilla
(academy)
 1987/88
Castilla
(academy)
 1988/89
Castilla
(academy)
 1989/90
Real Madrid B
(academy)
 1990/91
Real Madrid B
(academy)
 1991/92
Real Madrid B
(academy)
 1992/93
Real Madrid B
(academy)
 1993/94
Real Madrid B
(assistant coach)
 1994/95
Real Madrid B
(assistant coach)
 1995/96
Real Valladolid
(La Liga)
 1996/97
Osasuna
(Segunda division)
 1997/98
Extremadura
(La Liga Segunda Division)
Promotion
1998/99
Extremadura
(La Liga Primera Division)
 2000/01
Tenerife
(La Liga Segunda division)
Promotion
2001/02
Valencia
(La Liga Primera Division)
Primera Liga title
2002/03
Valencia
(La Liga Primera Division)
 2003/04
Valencia
(La Liga Primera Division)
Primera Liga title
UEFA Cup
2004/05
Liverpool
(Premier League)
Champions League
2005/06
Liverpool
(Premier League)
European Super Cup
FA Cup
2006/07
Liverpool
(Premier League)
FA Community Shield
2007/08
Liverpool
(Premier League)
 2008/09
Liverpool
(Premier League)
 2009/10
Liverpool
(Premier League)

YNWA

[AndrewLFC_1971]

I hope he comes home to Anfield one day.

[toholmen]

Great OP. Even after all this time i miss the man and the pride he gave us.

[soxfan]

 

[DangerScouse]

As much as I love the man this thread won't end well. The bellends who played their part in helping to push him out the door will belittle his achievements, those who stood behind him will defend him to the hilt. It'll be a car crash.

[Sangria]

But what angers me even more was the circumstances behind his departure. I wish Roy all the best now that Rafa has gone, but I still feel like I’ve broken up from a long-term relationship and as much as Roy deserves my support, I can’t help but get angry once again when I see the people that criticised Rafa for years stick up for Roy. I constantly find myself asking the question “if we finish seventh this year, should Hodgson go?” to them and their response is always “of course not!” But that is the standard we set ourselves last year. One bad season and you have to go. It can’t be one rule for one and another for somebody else. Surely?

Seventh would have been utopia.

[Priest078]

It's quite amazing how some people don't understand what is going on at the club.

A mate of mine the other week said Rafa was embarrassing when he had a go at Fergy , we all looked at him and then put him straight. 

Rafa was the one who outed Hicks and Gilet for what they were and ultimately paid with his job , we might not have a club now if it wasn't for him.

[Harinder]

Somewhere someone won't be able to control themselves

Shame really. The OP is beautifully written