The Benitez Thread

[Tomo 21,733]

RUN!!!!!!!!!!!

Too early to even suggest something like that, but fair play for putting your cock on the block.

Too soon. If he can get us top 3 by the end of the season and a trophy or 2, then I'm sure he will get it.

Its not even the results, i done a bit of reserch and actually listened to what good Liverpool fans had to say about him.

What is swinging it for me is the work he did at the academy in Liverpool.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

Interim managers certainly do quite well at this club.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

Too soon. If he can get us top 3 by the end of the season and a trophy or 2, then I'm sure he will get it.

Probably not even then. It will depend on who else is available. And RDM had us top-3 and in the running for 3 trophies and he got fired, so don't see why the same results would get Rafa a new contract. Only way, he gets hired full-time is if Roman's preferred targets don't want to come and Chelsea finish brilliantly (say, top-2 and win the Europa League).

[The only place to be 11,313]

What is swinging it for me is the work he did at the academy in Liverpool.

That's one of the things I've heard good things about.

Also, I broke down his transfers in the first four years at Liverpool (after which his relationship with the board started to have effects on the pitch) earlier in this thread and he's not got a noticeably bad record in that regard. In fact his signings still make up the heart of that team (Reina, Agger, Skrtl, Lucas).

[Jase 43,479]

Rafa Benitez's record now in all competitions at Chelsea - P11 W7 D2 L2. Have won 7 of the last 8.

In the Premier League - P7 W4 D2 L1. Have won the last 4.

[Corner 456]

Its not even the results, i done a bit of reserch and actually listened to what good Liverpool fans had to say about him.

What is swinging it for me is the work he did at the academy in Liverpool.

Link?

[Rambo 1,729]

I love how he makes the team fight for the ball whenever we lose it.

[Hutcho 8,443]

He's never gonna be the most popular man at the bridge but he is doing well and we are winning and playing well. Which is all he can do do as a manager. He does have to get credit for finally initiating the Luiz to midfield thing.

[bushman 2,043]

Rafa Benitez's record now in all competitions at Chelsea - P11 W7 D2 L2. Have won 7 of the last 8.

In the Premier League - P7 W4 D2 L1. Have won the last 4.

Thank you. Any complains on Rafa´s coaching today ?

[Peppen 934]

Don't like him. Don't rate him. Never did. Probably never will. At least the RDM way.

I was a skeptic from the start and wanted him gone, but I must admit that he has turned things around. Especially defensively we look solid, and our pressure is better.

I'm not sure I want him as a permanent manager, but as things are right now, I've got to give him credit. He's done well. Keep it up, Rafa!

[Tomo 21,733]

Link?

Houllier left the academy in a dire straight, Rafa transformed it and infact brought in the players Brendan Rodgers is promoting today.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Probably not even then. It will depend on who else is available. And RDM had us top-3 and in the running for 3 trophies and he got fired, so don't see why the same results would get Rafa a new contract. Only way, he gets hired full-time is if Roman's preferred targets don't want to come and Chelsea finish brilliantly (say, top-2 and win the Europa League).

I personally find it difficult to see Pep here or Jose returning, which is why I think if he does well he has a very good chance of getting the job.

[Tomo 21,733]

Probably not even then. It will depend on who else is available. And RDM had us top-3 and in the running for 3 trophies and he got fired, so don't see why the same results would get Rafa a new contract. Only way, he gets hired full-time is if Roman's preferred targets don't want to come and Chelsea finish brilliantly (say, top-2 and win the Europa League).

If Mourinho and Pep end up in Manchester (that is possible) i reckon Rafa is one of the very very few that can prevent us from falling way behind both clubs.

Why search the globe for a high profile manager (most likely with no PL experience) when we have got one already.

[Corner 456]

Houllier left the academy in a dire straight, Rafa transformed it and infact brought in the players Brendan Rodgers is promoting today.

I knew that much. I thought you meant he had made some changes in the facilities or something. Just found it interesting.

I like a manager/club that cares about promoting youth players and put a lot of effort into their academy.

[Jase 43,479]

Thank you. Any complains on Rafa´s coaching today ?

I gave him credit for turning our results and performances around but that doesn't mean he isn't without his faults either. I will criticize him if and when he makes mistakes and I will give him credit when he bring positive things to the team.

[TorontoChelsea 4,064]

I personally find it difficult to see Pep here or Jose returning, which is why I think if he does well he has a very good chance of getting the job.

Could be, but it's hard to know what Roman thinks. If he does want Chelsea's own particular attacking style, Rafa is not the guy to bring that and he might decide to try the AVB route again(young coach who brings his own style). I think Rafa has to do exceptionally in order to change that. I don't really know and I don't think it matters much. I'm fine with Rafa as the manager but managers are fungible and every Chelsea manager is just a bad handful of games away from being sacked anyway.

[bushman 2,043]

I gave him credit for turning our results and performances around but that doesn't mean he isn't without his faults either. I will criticize him if and when he makes mistakes and I will give him credit when he bring positive things to the team.

Well said, The same applies with me. Since I do not care about Rafa much as a person, I do not know him or care to know him,

I just like the way he molded this team in shape, lately. To walk into Everton, fall behind, mostly outplayed in the first half, then come out flying & win the game some credit to him is due, I feel.

As you said before, we all will judge him, later. I just wonder what we all gonna say if he brings trophies to the club.

Are those that are singing stupidity gonna apologize, then ?

[Sheva. 5,373]

Could be, but it's hard to know what Roman thinks. If he does want Chelsea's own particular attacking style, Rafa is not the guy to bring that and he might decide to try the AVB route again(young coach who brings his own style). I think Rafa has to do exceptionally in order to change that. I don't really know and I don't think it matters much. I'm fine with Rafa as the manager but managers are fungible and every Chelsea manager is just a bad handful of games away from being sacked anyway.

Another AVB-like gamble would be stupid imo, and the obsession with attacking football is getting out of hand. Under defensive Rafa we only played boring football in the first 2 games and have since been scoring plenty and also defending well.

The main focus should be about winning and not getting someone that will try to change everything, imo at least.