Rafa signs

[paulo]

Fantastic news I think, can't see them ever winning the league with him in charge.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...ool/7951817.stm

[TheWestwayWonder]

Despite the results of the last week, I feel the same way. This guy is a cup manager, a damn good one, and wont win them the league anytime soon, imo, and his power struggles have cost Liverpool already this season. Essentially, they have handed a four year extension to a man who put his own primacy in his job above the team and the club who he is supposed to be guiding to glory. A few scousers can see this, but most choose to now hang all his failures on Rick Parry and the clueless owners in another bit of Scouse revisionism.

Well, good for them, because I think Rafa will maybe blunder around for another year or so, fail to win prizes again, and leave of his own accord. And in all likelihood that might leave Liverpool with a 30 year old Gerrard, a heap of unhappy Spaniards, and load of nothing to show for his 5, 6 or 7 years behind the helm besides the FA cup and a CL he won with Houllier's team.

I know its the obvious rumor, but I really think he winds up at Madrid when they realize they dont have a hope of getting Wenger. They have gone from dominance to embarrassment in Europe, and I think once Rafa feels he isnt being backed fully enough with whatever money he demands, or isnt being adulated by the press again, it will be time to go to Spain.

[clubhappy]

Great post mate , but i disagree with you on one issue , the bit where you said he's a damn good cup manager . He's a very lucky cup manager , both finals , C.L. and F.A. Cup he won on penalties , after being the second best team .

Anyway , f***in best news i've hear all season.

[Virosh]

Great post mate , but i disagree with you on one issue , the bit where you said he's a damn good cup manager . He's a very lucky cup manager , both finals , C.L. and F.A. Cup he won on penalties , after being the second best team .

Anyway , f***in best news i've hear all season.

Luck has a lot to do with it, surely, but he has really forged a formidable team for the CL. I don't like it anymore than you do, but Liverpool have been one of the toughest teams to beat since Benitez took over.

Which will make it all the more sweeter when they drop out to Barca in a few weeks' time, Benfica style.

[BLUENUT]

no title for another 5 years then B)

[TheWestwayWonder]

I think its a little bit from A and a little bit from B with the cups. For some f**king reason the guy seems able to easily win one-off games against continental opponents. But certainly without the most incredibly unlikely luck, they really would be trophyless these past five years. For example, in addition to penalties, both cups required Gerrard screamers from about 30 yards in stoppage time to help them in those cups. And lets not forget some of the obscene calls that have fallen in Liverpools favor in Europe: the goal that wasnt a goal, the red cards against Arsenal and Inter, the penalty in the 2005 final, penalty vs. Athletico. It boggles the mind, but I dont think anyone has gotten that kind of "luck" in Europe over the same period.

I just think its a riot that, a few weeks ago, Scousers were tired of his crazy talk, his excuses and his total mismanagement of their season at the killer moment, and now after a 4-1 hiding I cant explain, and thrashing a team which is a shell of its former self, they are ready to reverse course and say "yes, he is the man to take us forward". Because pretty much everyone else can see he really isnt. Still.

[sergeyMS]

Luck has a lot to do with it, surely, but he has really forged a formidable team for the CL. I don't like it anymore than you do, but Liverpool have been one of the toughest teams to beat since Benitez took over.

Yes,

luck they had helps them on some occasions (I include ref`s mistakes here too).

But they`re really one of the toughest and balanced side currently in Europe. And the severe amount of credit goes to Rafa here, actually.

That`s the clever step for Pool`s board.

And, frankly, it`s still open who should finish 2nd this year.....

Edited March 20, 2009 by sergeyMS

[sexelk]

from bbc gossip column:

Benitez turned down approaches from Atletico Madrid, an Italian club and an unofficial approach from a third party claiming to represent a Premier League side - thought to be Chelsea or Manchester City - before agreeing to stay at Anfield. (The Times)

f*ck off lol

[TheWestwayWonder]

I think that was none other than Guilliame Ballocks, and in his words Inter apparrently told Benitez Jose was "as good as sacked" if he would join up with them :lol:

I would hope Roman is never so desperate for success in Europe as to employ that tubby halfwit