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JUNE 21
King Kenny
backs new gaffer Rafa
By Steve Hunter - LFC Official Website
Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish has backed the appointment of Rafael
Benitez as Liverpool manager and says he comes with an impressive CV.
In an exclusive interview with Reds legend Dalglish who we caught up with
on a golf day to raise funds for the Hillsborough Families Support Group,
he believes Benitez could be the man to revive Liverpool's fortunes.
Dalglish said: "The Liverpool job is a great job and Benitez will get more
than 60 points this season. Valencia had a tried and trusted way of
playing and he comes here with a good CV.
"Benitez took over at Valencia from Hector Coupe and some people say it's
easy to carry on in the same way but it isn't. Give Benitez credit. He has
his own ideas and won the title and made the right decisions.
"I think it is very important that Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard stay at
Liverpool and if they do then everyone will be looking forward to the new
season with great anticipation."
Dalglish also said the style of football Liverpool is important for the
fans and the traditions of the club.
Dalglish said: "I think it's always important how you play as it's
important that the history and traditions at Anfield are never forgotten.
"For the new manager coming in it's a big benefit to him the history and
the traditions of the club, it's not a hinderance. I'm sure the new
manager is very proud of the history of Liverpool Football Club and he
will be hoping that he is going to add a little bit of his own history to
the club."
JUNE 17
Anfield greats back
Rafael
By Rob Brady - Liverpool Echo
Rafael Benitez's appointment as Liverpool manager has been welcomed by
former players and fans.
Anfield favourite John Aldridge who spent part of his career in Spain with
Real Sociedad, reckons the fans need to be patient with the new man.
Aldo said: "It would be unfair to think we will win the league all of a
sudden. We are so far behind teams like Arsenal, but we do want to see
progress. Hopefully we will win a cup along the way and improve in the
Champions League - that is an area where I would expect Benitez and
Liverpool to do well.
"There is always an element of risk when a new man comes in, but Benitez's
track record is good. He said in his press conference that he has been
looking at Liverpool videos, so he probably already has an idea what he
needs to do in the transfer market. He will have to move quickly, though.
"He appears to have done his homework. I just hope the type of football he
plays is exciting and his team will play the old Liverpool way. There must
be an attacking fluency to our game, which we probably haven't had for a
while."
Seventies Kop hero David Fairclough believes Benitez has what it takes to
convince star players Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen to commit their
futures to Liverpool.
Fairclough said: "He had world class stars at Valencia like Ayala, Aimar
and Baraja. They enjoyed working with him and the Liverpool players should
be encouraged by that. I would hope they want to be part of what is to
come.
"Some people wanted a British manager, but I'm very happy with the choice
of Benitez. He has shown to the club that he wants to be Liverpool manager
and that he knows what Liverpool is about.
"He has won two Spanish titles and the Uefa Cup in a short space of time,
which is very encouraging."
Reds fan Les Lawson feels that keeping inspirational skipper Gerrard at
Anfield is crucial to future success.
The secretary of the Official Liverpool Supporters Club (Merseyside) said:
"The appointment of Benitez is a good, forward-thinking move by the board.
The big thing is to get
Stevie Gerrard to stay and I'm more optimistic now.
"With Valencia Benitez beat off Real Madrid and Barcelona, so let's hope
he can do something similar here. The fans will show patience. They were
patient with Gerard Houllier, it was just in the last two seasons the
football was not attractive to watch.
"I'm looking forward to the new season. I will be looking forward to it
even more when Steven Gerrard says he is staying."
JUNE 17
10
things you didn't know about Reds' manager
Liverpool Echo
1. He was born in Madrid on April 16, 1960.
2. He has been a football teacher at Davis University in America, a
TV commentator and analyst and a regular speaker at congresses,
universities and schools.
3. He passed a degree in physical education in 1982 and seven years
later earned his national coaching licence.
4. He took a year out in the mid-90s to study coaching techniques
in other countries - and spent time in England visiting Arsenal and
Manchester United and was with Ossie Ardilles at Tottenham.
5. He was on Real Madrid's books as a youngster before joining
Parla in Spain's lower divisions. He ended his playing days with Linares
in 1986.
6. His appointment as successor to Hector Cuper as Valencia coach
was questioned by supporters. But he answered his critics, winning La Liga
in his first season.
7. His first match in charge of Valencia was against Liverpool - at
the Amsterdam tournament in 2001. Liverpool won!
8. Benitez is renowned for his attention to detail and the use of
videos and computers play an important part in his build-up to matches.
9. Valencia boasted comfortably the best defensive record in La
Liga last season. But they also scored 71 league goals last season - a
total that was only bettered by Real Madrid.
10. Valencia defender David Albelda said: "His name will be
remembered in gold letters as one of the best coaches ever."
JUNE 16
Benitez
wants Owen, Gerrard talks
ITV Football
New Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is desperate to meet star players
Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard and convince them to pledge their futures
to the club.
The
44-year-old Spaniard was appointed on Wednesday afternoon, taking over the
hotseat from the departed Gerard Houllier.
Benitez (pictured) is keen to have the duo in his team as he prepares for
his first season in charge, with Owen having threatened to leave given the
club's poor performances in recent seasons, while Gerrard apparently wants
to join Chelsea.
The former Real Madrid assistant is sure to bring in a number of new
faces, but knows the two Scousers are key to his plans.
"I want to talk with them - I need these players and players like them
with a good mentality and quality," he said. "They know what Liverpool
means and both are very important to us."
Benitez was reluctant to reveal any potential new signings, but
acknowledged it must be the right players, perhaps taking stab at some of
his predecessor's poor buys.
"I will have names in my head and I'll tell Mr Parry this - but it's
important to sign the right player for our team."
Benitez was also reluctant to put a time-frame on delivering a trophy, but
assured the long-suffering fans it will come.
"The feeling when you come here to Anfield and see all the supporters is
wonderful for a foreign manager," he added.
"I hope the players - like us - think it's possible for us to win more
things. But I'm not going to say it will take, one, two or three years.
"The most important thing is to be a team and for every player to know
what they have to do on the field. It means a lot of hours working and
talking with players - it's what is best for the team that matters, not
what is best for the player.
"I didn't come here to learn English, I've come to win and I want the
players to have the same mentality - if not it's impossible to play
against other teams."
JUNE 16
Parry pleased
with Rafa prize
By David Randles - icLiverpool
Rick Parry showed his delight at the appointment of manager Rafael
Benitez today before highlighting the Spaniard's 'hunger for success'.
The Liverpool Chief Executive sat shoulder-to-shoulder with the
44-year-old former Valencia boss at Anfield this afternoon but then
admitted 'we'll have to wait and see' what, if any funds are available for
new signings at the club.
"Rafael's enthusiasm for the role is very evident," said Parry.
"As you can see he's very young, enthusiastic and very hungry for
success."
"Rafa' is not promising instant success but has a great track record. We
are looking forward to working with him and are sure the supporters are
too."
Following months of speculation about possible investment deals in the
club concerning Thailand's Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra and local
property developer, Steve Morgan however, Parry remained tight-lipped on
how much money is in the transfer kitty for Benitez to bring new players
to Anfield:
"Rafa keeps firing lots and lots of questions at us," he said, "his thirst
for information is insatiable, but we'll have to wait and see."
JUNE 16
Why Liverpool
wanted Benitez
By Sarah Holt - BBC Sport Online
Rafael Benitez, who has been named the new manager of Liverpool,
arrives at Anfield with an enviable record of success in one of the
toughest arenas in world football.
And if the 44-year-old's achievements are anything to go by, Liverpool's
long and agonising wait for Premiership success could be about to come to
an end.
Since Benitez joined Spanish second division club Extremadura in 1997,
each one of his sides has finished top in his first year in charge.
Most recently, the 44-year-old has established himself as Valencia's most
successful manager in their 85-year history after just three years at the
club.
Valencia have won Spain's Primera Liga title twice in the last three years
under Benitez - putting the megastars of Real Madrid, among others, in the
shade each time.
Benitez is moving to the UK after a sensational season at Valencia, who
last month added the Uefa Cup to their La Liga title.
That success thrust their coach into the limelight, and Liverpool landed a
major coup in attracting him away from Spain, exploiting his
dissatisfaction with the behind-the-scenes politics at Valencia.
They are buying into a man regarded as charming but steely, with a sharp
footballing brain.
He inherited from Hector Cuper in 2001 a Valencia squad brimming with
potential - with Spanish international goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and
Argentina stars Roberto Ayala and Pablo Aimar the backbone of an already
formidable team.
But, as Real Madrid have proved, it is no good having a team full of
talent if you cannot make them play together effectively.
And in that sense Benitez's managerial talent is considered to be akin to
that of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger - an ability to turn a promising squad
of individuals into an efficient team of winners.
Benitez places major significance on a solid defence.
This season his side conceded just 26 goals - the lowest figure for any
Spanish champions in 30 years.
The 44-year-old also has an eye for spotting home-grown talent.
Striker Miguel Mista quickly followed Benitez from Tenerife in 2001 and
developed into Valencia's top goalscorer.
But Benitez also built a team where the defenders go forward and the
forwards defend.
Every single Valencia outfield player, except left-backs Amedeo Carboni
and Fabio Aurelio, got on the scoresheet last season.
The final piece in Benitez's masterplan is his strict policy of squad
rotation to keep the side fresh and the players on their toes.
Benitez has spoken of his desire to pit his wits against the best and the
Premiership gives him the chance to prove his potential once again.
He has made no secret of the fact that one day he wants the top job at
Real Madrid, where in a spell from 1989-95 he coached the youth team and B
side before becoming assistant to manager Vicente del Bosque in 1993.
For now, though, he has the chance to etch his name into English football
legend by ending Liverpool's agonising 15 years without winning the
English title.
And after brushing aside such powerful teams as Real Madrid, Barcelona and
Deprtivo La Coruna on his way to the Primera Liga title, what price his
ability to do the same for Liverpool at the cost of English giants
Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea?
JUNE 16
The
bosses Benitez follows at Anfield
Liverpool Echo
GERARD HOULLIER 1998-2004
Champions League qualification 2001, 2002, 2004. FA Cup 2001, UEFA Cup
2001, League Cup 2001 and 2003.
The Reds' first overseas boss, Houllier enjoyed remarkable early success.
He struggled to build on that, however. With their team slipping further
behind Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, the fans had seen enough.
ROY EVANS 1994-1998
League Cup 1995.
The last of the Boot Room Boys, Evans steadied the ship after the
turbulent Souness years. Although his teams never finished outside the top
four, a single League Cup win could not appease the fans yearning for a
return to the glory days.
GRAEME SOUNESS 1991-1994
FA Cup: 1992.
Arrived on the back of huge success at Rangers, Souness never recaptured
the winning form he enjoyed at Anfield in his playing days. Perhaps guilty
of introducing too much change too quickly, a solitary FA Cup was a
disappointing return.
KENNY DALGLISH 1985-1991
League Championship: 1985/86, 1987/88 and 1989/90. FA Cup: 1986, 1989.
Arguably the Reds' greatest ever player, King Kenny continued Liverpool's
domination of the domestic game, winning the league and cup double in his
first season as player manager. But the emotional distress of Hillsborough
stayed with him and the pressure eventually became too great.
JOE FAGAN 1983-85
League Championship 1983/84. European Cup 1984. League Cup 1984.
Reluctantly carried on where Paisley left off, Fagan won an amazing treble
in his first year in charge. Sadly, the Heysel disaster left him too
disillusioned to continue.
BOB PAISLEY 1974-1983
League Championship: 1975-76, 1976-77, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82 and
1982-83. European Cups: 1977, 1978, 1981. League Cups: 1981, 1982, 1983.
UEFA Cup 1976.
Took over the baton from Shankly, Paisley's record speaks for itself.
Widely considered the greatest manager in the history of the game, he
signed some of finest players ever to wear a Reds shirt. A quiet,
unassuming man, he let his teams do the talking.
BILL SHANKLY 1959-1974
League Championships: 1963-64, 1965-66, 1972-73 FA Cup: 1965, 1974.
UEFA Cup 1973. Division Two Championship: 1961-62.
Laid the foundations for the huge success that was to follow by guiding
the Reds from anonymity in the old second division to the summit of the
English game. Shanks was simply a Liverpool legend and his spirit can
still be felt around Anfield.
JUNE 16
A
Spanish welcome for Benitez the Red
By Nick Murton - Liverpool Echo
Liverpool was today pulling out all the stops to welcome new Reds boss
Rafael Benitez.
As the 45-year-old was signing his contract with Liverpool FC, fans joined
Spanish restaurant owners and Latin dancers to bid the Spaniard "hola".
One city centre restaurant has promised a free bottle of beer to anyone
ordering Paella Rafael to mark the former Valencia boss's arrival on
Merseyside.
La Tasca in Queen Square will give the complimentary drink to anybody
buying the traditional dish this week.
Meanwhile, husband and wife Latin dance team Karen and Banderas Dosanjh
have offered Rafael free salsa lessons at their Havana Bar studio in North
John Street.
Last night, Benitez stayed at the Hope Street hotel in Liverpool city cent
re as he finalised his contract with LFC chairman Rick Parry.
The Spaniard will join the Reds when he abandons Valencia in eastern Spain
for Europe's Capital of Culture elect.
But, according to one Spanish expert, despite the cultural differences
homesickness will not be a problem.
Chris Harris, a lecturer in Spanish at Liverpool Hope University College,
said: "We find a lot of people are interested in experiencing Spanish
culture, so there are more places offering Spanish food, drinks and
dances.
"Plus there is a large Spanish community in Liverpool, and plenty to make
any Spanish visitor welcome."
Javier Mellado, 32, managing partner of Spanish restaurant La Tasca in
Queen Square, is looking forward to the new Spanish influence in the city.
"We thought our beer offer would be an appropriate way to welcome Rafael
to Liverpool and to pay tribute to him.
"It is a wonderful city and I'm sure he will settle in quickly to the way
of life here."
