| Rafael Benítez Maudes (born 16 April 1960) is a Spanish professional football manager and former player. He is currently the manager of Super League Greece club Panathinaikos.
Benítez joined Real Madrid's coaching staff at the age of 26, going on to work as the under-19 and reserve team coach, and assistant manager for the senior team. He moved away from Real Madrid in 1995, but management spells at Real Valladolid and Osasuna were short-lived and unsuccessful. He guided Segunda División club Extremadura back to La Liga in his first season in the 1997–98 season, but the team was relegated the following season. He left the club, and coached Tenerife in 2000, winning promotion in his only season.
Benítez was appointed coach of Valencia and won La Liga in the 2001–02 and 2003–04 seasons, with the UEFA Cup alongside the latter. After leaving Valencia, Benitez moved to English club Liverpool of the Premier League, guiding the club to victory in the UEFA Champions League in 2005. For the second consecutive season, he was named UEFA Manager of the Year. He also won the FA Cup in 2006 and reached the 2007 Champions League final, but was unable to win the Premier League, with Liverpool's best league performance under Benítez a second-place finish in 2008–09. Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License - Full article |
Hce 03-Jun-15 12:38
Real Madrid official
Rafa Benítez is presented as the new Real Madrid coach
We herald the arrival of a man who has lived and breathed football, professionalism and the Real Madrid spirit since childhood. He will make us stronger , declared Florentino Pérez.
Rafa Benítez was presented as the new Real Madrid coach in the Santiago Bernabéu s presidential box. With a great level of expectation, the president Florentino Pérez welcomed him: “Here in Real Madrid the demands are great and nothing is ever enough. This club works towards perfecting its virtues and valiantly accepting any challenge it is faced with. Today a new era begins and the arrival of our new coach will strengthen us further. Today we are here with a man who has lived and breathed football, professionalism and the Real Madrid spirit ever since he was a boy. He has dreamed about this moment for a long time and now it is a reality”.
“Rafa, you understand the culture of this club and your name is synonymous with hard work, sacrifice, dedication and passion for this sport. You are one of the greatest coaches in the world and use your methodology as a work tool. You communicate excellently with your players and have accumulated a lot of professional experience as well as an impressive trophy collection despite your young age”.
“He is a truly home-grown man, having developed as a player and a manager here. Today will be especially emotional for him, as he will be feeling the emotions of someone who first came here at 13 years of age. No one better understands what this crest, this jersey and this stadium symbolise. The desires of our fans now depend on you and you will have the support of our members and of a bunch of extraordinarily talented players. Welcome home”.
Benítez: “I m home and it is an emotional day”
“It is an emotional day because I ve returned home. I hope things go well, that we are able to win titles and also that the team play well. I would like to thank the club for the faith they have shown in my work”. The ceremony concluded with a group photo of the new coach alongside Florentino Pérez and the rest of the members of the Board of Directors.
Hce 28-May-15 14:27
BBC.com
RAFAEL BENITEZ CONFIRMS NAPOLI DEPARTURE
Rafael Benitez says he will be leaving Napoli following the final game of the Italian club s season on Sunday.
The Spaniard, 55, is favourite to take over at Real Madrid, who sacked coach Carlo Ancelotti on Monday.
I want to thank the chairman, club and fans because after two years my experience here in Napoli is coming to an end, said Benitez.
On Sunday, we have a very important match and I want to finish my two years with a victory.
Napoli, in fourth, host third-placed Lazio in their last game of the Serie A season with a Champions League place at stake.
Benitez s side are three points behind their rivals and a win would see them qualify for Europe s premier club competition on the basis of a better head-to-head record.
Benitez refused to discuss his future and the prospect of taking charge at Real Madrid, where he had stints as a youth coach, Under-19 coach and assistant first-team coach in the 1990s.
The family has been the key to my choice, he added. Napoli and [president] Aurelio [De Laurentiis] have made every effort and we were close to renewal.
If Benitez does become Real boss, he will return to manage in his homeland for the first time since leaving Valencia to take charge of Liverpool in 2004.
He won two La Liga titles and the Uefa Cup with Valencia, and led Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005.
Napoli won the Italian Cup and Italian Super Cup during his two years in charge.
Hce 27-May-13 22:38
SSC Napoli
Benitez is Napoli s new manager
The agreement was concluded in London
Rafa Benitez is Napoli s new manager. The agreement has been concluded in London. SSC Napoli is happy to welcome into its family such a prestigious manager. Greetings to his collaborators too.
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