Just been named manager of Dalian Yifang in China
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48831519
Something about the way he's been portrayed as manager of Newcastle really irked me and this move completely proves why it was false. Don't get me wrong he did a remarkable job there, and in general I do think he's a good manager, but the way some fans/press were going on about him as being one of the best managers in the world, far too big for a club like Newcastle, could get a much bigger job, belongs at the top table, etc... was ridiculously over the top.
I'm sure as a Chelsea fan posting this on the Chelsea board I'm preaching to the choir somewhat here, but it has to be said. Benitez has and will always be in that B list category of managers below the elite of his generation, if I was being generous might even be the best of that bunch (having won the CL and all), but that's where he is. He doesn't belong at the top by right and his track record proves it, flattered to deceive at every big club since leaving Liverpool - amusingly could be argued his best work since then (aside from Newcastle) was managing us which pretty much says it all. I almost credit Rafa as a politician for taking that Newcastle position when he did because it appears to have erased the memory of him being a very shady top club manager, he might've even conned himself into another big club if he'd waited a bit longer such was the degree of delusion that's been spread about his ability the past three years.
Anyway, needed to get that off my chest. Good manager, NOT a great manager.
Lets Talk About Rafa
posted on 2/7/19
His big issue is league consistency, even at Newcastle in the Championship he made heavy weather of promotion.
He tends to tinker with his side at inappropriate times which tends to halt momentum, for example, when we were on a run of 5 ish wins on the bounce then he decided to rest Hazard and Mata for the QPR game and we got beat.
posted on 2/7/19
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 10 minutes ago
I think he is one of the best in the world. A level below Sir Alex, Jose, etc but for Newcastle, with the right backing, he could have been a HUGE success.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Inclined to agree. Not absolute elite but not many better.
In the last 20 years in Spain, Real or Barca have won the league 16 times. Atletico are one, Deportivo won it once but their manager (Irureta) never really followed it up with anything.
Rafa won it twice with Valencia and followed it up with 2 Europa League/UEFA Cup wins, FA Cup, Italian Cup and CL. The biggest blot on his copybook is probably Real Madrid. Let's be honest, not many have achieved more.
I think the appreciation for his job at Newcastle is in no small part viewed through the lens of very limited investment from the owner and complete lack of stability at the club - it's been for sale for years and the relationship between the owner and fans is utterly broken. In that scenario, he did well.
posted on 2/7/19
He's a top man and manager
posted on 2/7/19
D.A when are you going to join us on the Chinwag mate ?
posted on 3/7/19
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 3/7/19
comment by NPE (U22020)
posted 1 hour, 9 minutes ago
Benitez is a very good manager and Chelsea fans were disgraceful towards him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was sceptical when we 1st had him...was impressed though fairly soon...waste of a good manager in China really
posted on 3/7/19
“Won the CL with a hugely unfancied Liverpool team against a Milan side that's one of the greatest sides in recently memory.”
Surely you’re confusing that team with the late 80s/early 90s Milan team?
Re: the OP. I don’t personally have an issue with Rafa. I’m grateful for the fact he oversaw us retaining our CL status (at that time) and completing the European trophy set………….. But I agree with TP/DA that Rafa is not in that top ‘elite’ bracket of managers. But I also think Newcastle were fortunate to have him.
Was/is he better than Robbie? Committing treason here, but 100% yes
Incidentally, it now occurs to me that were we to win the Champions League again someday, we’d be the only British club ever to have won the set multiple times and that would never be equalled unless the Cup Winners Cup returned.
posted on 3/7/19
I'd say that Milan side was a top 10 side in the 00's
posted on 3/7/19
“Won the CL with a hugely unfancied Liverpool team against a Milan side that's one of the greatest sides in recently memory.”
--------------------------------------------------------
Lets not get excited here. They were a good team made up of experienced professionals with a fantastic young manager, were favorites for the final itself for sure.
One of the best team's in recent memory? That's incredibly generous. That particular team only won Serie A once.
posted on 3/7/19
Was/is he better than Robbie? Committing treason here, but 100% yes
-------------------------------------------------
Yep, agreed.
He might not be an elite manager (in my eyes at least) but in that particular season from a pure football standpoint he was the right guy and the right time.
We had a jam packed schedule, a very thin squad and were conceding goals far too easily, all problems he remedied. Even looking further ahead knowing the plan was to bring Mourinho back he was the perfect transition guy to get the squad accustomed to Jose's style. Everything from the football side of that appointment was correct, was just a shame his prior comments towards us put a spanner in the works (which I don't blame the fans for btw, just was what it was).