THAT’S not just my wishful thinking either, as the man himself yesterday told Marca: ‘I will return, almost certainly. What I do not know is when. My daughters and wife still live there’.
It is not the first time that Benitez has made such a statement either, making it clear during the summer that he was waiting for an ‘approach’ from the club’s owners, which never came.
During his spell at Liverpool, the man who came to be affectionately known as ‘Rafa’ to the fans came to the very brink of putting Liverpool back on top of the English game, finishing a handful of points behind Manchester United in Liverpool’s highest league finish for years, even bettering some championship seasons.
The Champions League win of 2005, the FA Cup win in 2006 and the Champions League campaign of 2007 (that ended with a narrow defeat to 2005 losers AC Milan) will go down as Benitez’s greatest achievements as Liverpool manager but for me, it was more important that he made us contenders again – genuine ones – and we were feared all across Europe with players coveted by the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid and the like.
Many will roll their eyes at yet another ‘Rafa’s Coming Back’ article, particularly from me, but it is still good to know that the man himself still has great affection for the club and the fans, but also the city, with his family still living here; he clearly feels as if he has unfinished business at the club and many of us would welcome him back with open arms, I’m sure. Particularly after another disappointing season under our third manager since he was ‘let go’.
However, that may not come for a few years yet, after Rafa went on to say ‘I am a Madrid fan. It is nice to be linked one way or another,’ adding fuel to the rumours that, should Jose Mourinho step down in the summer, as expected, he would be putting his name forward as a potential replacement.
Rafa has always spoken of his desire to manage Real Madrid, after spells there as a player and coach and I would be surprised if he didn’t get his wish sooner rather than later. But he hadn’t banked on being so touched by our own great club, and I would be even less surprised to see him back here sooner than we think.
After the lack of real leadership this club has had for the past 3 year, I’d have him back in a heart-beat.
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I would have him back here at the club he loves,it was only down to itchy n scratchy that
rafa had to leave,i can not stand our present manager,he is a blagger taking us to a run of the mill mid division team a brown nose for fsg (yes i hate the yanks too!) br should be
bs and you can guess what that stands for ! rodgers out rafa in!!!!
Rafa come home please. Anyone is better than the clown we currently employ
Rafa my man..already had a pedigree b4 komin around..he made 2 finals in his 1st season wit us after a winin d spanish ligue & uefa cup wit valencia..my point is.., l’pool is too big a club 2 be messing wit..Rodgers isnt a bad coach bt is still learnin his trade besyds he dsnt av an inklin abt fixing d defence as hes only obssessed abt attack,attack& attack…FSG shuld stop foolin around coz L’pool isnt a club 2 be xperimentin wit…we nid a coach wit gud pedigree dat can attract world class playas…L’pool are world-beaters, we are d most succesful club emanatin frm england 2 av conquerd europe& @ d mention of dat name L’pool, evry1 associated wit futball mst bow
Rafa – top manager and tactican .won every trophy in the game .attracts top players and loves Liverpool
V
Rodgers – inexperienced trophyless manager who has failed miserably in his first season. Can nit attract any top players and is a arrogant waffler
That is not even a choice
Rodgers out . Rafa IN
Can’t see it happening.
Come home Rafa !!!
All is forgiven
Save us from this clueless buffoon Rodgers
The Owners and Directors that got rid of him should have been shot. I am sure that we would be challenging in the league and in Europe with Rafa back in charge. Bring him back, do it now!
yes
No thanks. I love Rafa. But we can do better
However anyone is better than Bodgers
I don’t mind who comes in as long as Rodgers goes. We will never be a force under Rodgers thats for sure
A. B. R
Anyone but Rodgers next year please
Rafa please!
no brainer fsg!
Rafa should come back sooner rather than later because in a few seasons he could be coming back to a Championship club. For those who thinks this is not possible, please look at clubs like Leeds and Forest and see how mismanagement and having an idiotic manager could do to a club.
Rafa unlike BR does not need a period of “apprenticeship” at a big club. BR is clueless at a club like ours and it shows in every tactical selection and every word he spews out from his mouth.
I can’t in the life of me imagine if we are managed by Rafa we can’t score at least 1 miserable goal against a rock bottom club like Reading