Benítez: stick with me and I will win title

[Roscoe]

http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsle...2257921,00.html

 

Benítez: stick with me and I will win title

Manager calls for patience Arsenal showed to Wenger

Inter defeat could mark beginning of the end

 

Andy Hunter

Tuesday February 19, 2008

 

Guardian

 

Rafael Benítez took a defiant stand yesterday with a declaration that he does have a long-term future at Anfield and remains the man to deliver the Premier League title.

The Liverpool manager set what he hopes will prove the tone of his team's performance against Internazionale in the Champions League tonight when, having been backed into a corner by Saturday's FA Cup exit to Barnsley, he came out fighting for his Anfield career on the eve of the biggest game of the season. Defeat over two legs by the Italian champions would guarantee a second successive trophy-less season for Liverpool and weaken the Spaniard's hand when his position is reviewed this summer.

 

Benítez claimed to have identified the changes needed at the club and said he could challenge for the title if shown the patience that Arsène Wenger has received from the Arsenal board over the past four years. Liverpool's co-chairmen, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, or Dubai International Capital which still hopes to buy the club, will have the ultimate say on whether the manager gets that opportunity.

 

"I have a lot of confidence that I will stay here for a long time because my commitment is 100% to the club and I am sure that we can improve and win games," said Benítez. "I think the club are 100% committed to me also. I don't have any suggestion the other way but I do understand why I am under pressure.

 

"I think we must progress in the Champions League as far as we can and we must make sure we finish in the top four as that's important. I have two years left on my contract and I'm sure I will be here for a long time."

 

Benítez pointed to two European Cup finals in three seasons as evidence that his Anfield reputation should not stand or fall by the daunting encounters against Roberto Mancini's Inter. That record is superior to Sir Alex Ferguson's and Wenger's in Europe, although Benítez believes it will take time for his Arsenal-esque youth policy to bear fruit in the Premier League.

 

"I am surprised that I am asked whether I need to win the Champions League to save my job," he said. "How many managers have won the Champions League once? Tell me. How many have got to the final twice in three years or won it twice?

 

"Think about the top managers in the Premier League and their record. In three years Arsenal have won one cup. It takes time. We have the reserve team at the top of the league and we have young players here like Lucas and Ryan Babel, so I think we have more quality than when I first arrived but you need more experience."

 

Benítez would not be drawn on whether he was working against unrealistic expectations at a club which last won the league title in 1990 but insisted he no longer fears losing his job on account of last autumn's public spat with Hicks.

 

"When I arrived here it was 21 years without winning the Champions League and 15 years without winning the Premier League. Why?" asked the Liverpool manager. "I don't know about the expectations but one thing I do know is that Mr Hicks was been very supportive of me and that's very positive for me. You cannot change what's already happened but after the meeting [in December] everything has been clarified and he was supporting me all the time."

 

Liverpool have Fernando Torres back from a hamstring tear to lead the line tonight and Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and José Reina are available (only Gerrard, from the bench, having featured against Barnsley). Irrespective of whether the club claims another European scalp from an underwhelming domestic campaign or is left with only the fourth Champions League qualifying place to aim for, Benítez's self-confidence will be unaffected.

 

"I am sure I can win more titles for this club because I have a clear idea about what to do in the future," he said. "I wouldn't say if it's wrong or not [to change manager] but I would say I have confidence that we can win more titles. We will need to change things. Maybe I will change things but it is clear I have the confidence to do it."

 

guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2008

 

 

 

I think he makes some really interesting points re the development of the side and how perhaps fans desperation to see the title brought back is warping expectation. There is no doubt we have been poor this season but do we have the patience to see the club as a work in progress or do we want to start the whole process over again? I haven't got a clue anymore. One day I think I want him gone the next I think it's the worst thing we could possibly do. 7 finals in 3 full seasons. League performaces that make me want to weep.

 

Also very interesting that he mentions support from Hicks. Never mentions Gillette.

[Falconhoof]

This is good from Rafa, I like him when he's bullish and it sets the tone for the players. He's proved us all wrong so many times before that even though i've questioned the way we've been playing i'd love for him to turn it around.

[Guest newfavouriteplayer]

This is good from Rafa, I like him when he's bullish and it sets the tone for the players. He's proved us all wrong so many times before that even though i've questioned the way we've been playing i'd love for him to turn it around.

 

i think everyone would. but he just gets it so wrong in the league this comes across as a politician always promising change and jam tomorrow.

 

he needs to really reasses his approach to the league, accept the damage pako leaving has caused. if he really is a great manager he will learn from this and we'll all be happy.

[Hassony]

This is good from Rafa, I like him when he's bullish and it sets the tone for the players. He's proved us all wrong so many times before that even though i've questioned the way we've been playing i'd love for him to turn it around.

 

Lets hope that this CL campaign is like Fergusons FA cup win in 1990, Rafa will avoid the sack by winning the CL and then go on to greater things

[Romario]

i think everyone would. but he just gets it so wrong in the league this comes across as a politician always promising change and jam tomorrow.

 

he needs to really reasses his approach to the league, accept the damage pako leaving has caused. if he really is a great manager he will learn from this and we'll all be happy.

Agreed. His bullish attitude is great to see but it's also the reason why we keep repeating mistakes every year in the league.

[Cobs]

"I don't know about the expectations but one thing I do know is that Mr Hicks was been very supportive of me and that's very positive for me. You cannot change what's already happened but after the meeting [in December] everything has been clarified and he was supporting me all the time."

Dead man walking ?

[alias75]

I do think as fans we've got caught up in the short termism thats blighting football at the moment, you look at people like Ferguson, and Wenger and its taken them time to build their teams, Wenger has won 1 cup in the last 3 years, Ferguson has won 1 CL in almost 20 years.

 

I do think Rafa has slowly improved the team year on year and whether you like his style or not the man wins trophies, we have a stronger squad now than when he took over, and hes added top quality to that, before he got here we only really had Gerrard, now theres Reina, Torres, Mascherano, Gerrard that are some of the top players in the world in their positions.

 

I think replacing Rafa now would be foolish and would set us back.

[Cobs]

Lets hope that this CL campaign is like Fergusons FA cup win in 1990, Rafa will avoid the sack by winning the CL and then go on to greater things

Dirk Kuyt = Mark Robins

[Hobbsie]

Rafa is the only one showing any balls at the club at the moment

[Guest GrandpaSimpson]

Lets hope that this CL campaign is like Fergusons FA cup win in 1990, Rafa will avoid the sack by winning the CL and then go on to greater things

 

Hope you're right.

[johngibo YPC]

i think everyone would. but he just gets it so wrong in the league this comes across as a politician always promising change and jam tomorrow.

 

To be fair, he has never promised me jam once

[Guest newfavouriteplayer]

we have a stronger squad now than when he took over, and hes added top quality to that, before he got here we only really had Gerrard, now theres Reina, Torres, Mascherano, Gerrard that are some of the top players in the world in their positions.

 

I think replacing Rafa now would be foolish and would set us back.

 

absolutley and you can add agger to that list.

 

what splits people here is not the quality but how he gets the best performance out of them. it isn't happening and i really think this dates back to pako. i'm pretty sure the same thing happened to ged when his first coach left. ferguson is absolutley meticulous when it comes to selecting his coaches - the role is absolutely vital to keeping the team cohesive. i really hope barnsely was a wake up call to rafa and he's doing some serious reassessment.

[km9]

http://football.guardian.co.uk/championsle...2257921,00.html

 

 

 

 

"I am sure I can win more titles for this club because I have a clear idea about what to do in the future," he said. "I wouldn't say if it's wrong or not [to change manager] but I would say I have confidence that we can win more titles. We will need to change things. Maybe I will change things but it is clear I have the confidence to do it."

 

 

I think this part is interesting.

[Flight]

I do think as fans we've got caught up in the short termism thats blighting football at the moment, you look at people like Ferguson, and Wenger and its taken them time to build their teams, Wenger has won 1 cup in the last 3 years, Ferguson has won 1 CL in almost 20 years.

 

I do think Rafa has slowly improved the team year on year and whether you like his style or not the man wins trophies, we have a stronger squad now than when he took over, and hes added top quality to that, before he got here we only really had Gerrard, now theres Reina, Torres, Mascherano, Gerrard that are some of the top players in the world in their positions.

 

I think replacing Rafa now would be foolish and would set us back.

 

 

Good post.

[pipnasty]

Dead man walking ?

 

Time to apologise yet?

[Cobs]

Time to apologise yet?

[Guest Ant]

He said all the right things.

[uncle bob]

He we go again - always worry when manager asking for more time - His results on the pitch should dictate if more time is a fair request.

 

The manager inherited a top four team and after nearly 4 years we are struggling to make 4th and thats after 40 odd new plays and £150m spend (if incl Mascherano)

 

He has assembled a large squad so he can rotate 0K fair enough if thats he prefered tactic but it will only work if the squad is full of quality - He has assemble a medicore squad and therefore his rotation policy doesnt work

 

Much is made that he has had to buy cheap - if so then I would of prefered less players but more quality and minimise rotation and risk burn out at end of season. Although always believed winning sides never get tired. As it is now always out of contention in league just after christmas.

 

Like I have said on other blogs Rafa good cup manager (unless CL match immediately after domestic cup game) but I am convinced we will never win the prem with Rafa - So choice is yours

 

Me I would make moves to replace him now and if new manager could come in know to assess squad the come summer would be better able to strengthen

[ulsterRed]

Surely it's not unreasonable after 18 years and countless £ millions spent on the team to expect us to 'challenge' for the title.

 

Benetiz alone has spent about £140 million.

 

His failure in the PL,in fact we proably look worse this season than ever,will probably cost him his job in the summer.

 

If we were out of the CL he'd be gone now.

[Hassony]

Surely it's not unreasonable after 18 years and countless £ millions spent on the team to expect us to 'challenge' for the title.

 

Benetiz alone has spent about £140 million.

 

His failure in the PL,in fact we proably look worse this season than ever,will probably cost him his job in the summer.

 

If we were out of the CL he'd be gone now.

 

Rafa has been here for 18 years!!!

thanks for that vital new info

[Huyton_Red]

I was undecided yesterday

 

But after reading fleet streets finest going for the jugular today I have made my mind up I want him to stay now

 

F'ck them - there is a witchunt. The man has asked for more time, give him it and give him more money and judge him in two years when his contract is up. I think he deserves that on his champions league record alone, never mind the FA cup win and worthington cup final to.

 

Everyone talks about gerrard and torres, for me reina, agger, carragher and mascerano are just as important. For the first time in years we actually have four or five world class players IMO.

 

Yes, most of the rest are sh'te but give him some time and lets see how the likes of babbel progress and lets see what sort of right winger and second striker he can bring in if backed like he was last summer

 

I am firmly, 100% behind him now, f'ck all this negativity it is dragging us all down. If I moan about rafa again this season mods f'ckin ban me for being a two faced t***.

 

Come on you reeeeeeeeeeeeeds lets have inter tonight and start the fightback, Ive just booked tommorow off work and I fully expect to be toasting rafa's reds in some lap dancing bar bladdered at 1am

Edited February 19, 2008 by Huyton_Red

[D.Boon]

I was undecided yesterday

 

But after reading fleet streets finest going for the jugular today I have made my mind up I want him to stay now

 

The press are great for making you close ranks with Rafa.

 

They love it the c****

[Eskimo]

Huyton_Red in "Changes his mind again" shocker...

[Skillz]

I was undecided yesterday

 

But after reading fleet streets finest going for the jugular today I have made my mind up I want him to stay now

 

F'ck them - there is a witchunt. The man has asked for more time, give him it and give him more money and judge him in two years when his contract is up. I think he deserves that on his champions league record alone, never mind the FA cup win and worthington cup final to.

 

Everyone talks about gerrard and torres, for me reina, agger, carragher and mascerano are just as important. For the first time in years we actually have four or five world class players IMO.

 

Yes, most of the rest are sh'te but give him some time and lets see how the likes of babbel progress and lets see what sort of right winger and second striker he can bring in if backed like he was last summer

 

I am firmly, 100% behind him now, f'ck all this negativity it is dragging us all down. If I moan about rafa again this season mods f'ckin ban me for being a two faced t***.

 

Come on you reeeeeeeeeeeeeds lets have inter tonight and start the fightback, Ive just booked tommorow off work and I fully expect to be toasting rafa's reds in some lap dancing bar bladdered at 1am

 

 

your damn right there is. If we get a bad result tonight they will all go in at once like there is no tomorrow. Starting to feel like an Instanbul run actually. IIRC we played Beyer Lev at home first and won 3-1. The media played on the "away" goal and how we were vulnerable?? So we beat them 3-1 away.

 

I want Real Madrid in the next round. Bring it on!

[Flight]

your damn right there is. If we get a bad result tonight they will all go in at once like there is no tomorrow. Starting to feel like an Instanbul run actually. IIRC we played Beyer Lev at home first and won 3-1. The media played on the "away" goal and how we were vulnerable?? So we beat them 3-1 away.

 

I want Real Madrid in the next round. Bring it on!

 

 

 

I was at home for the Barnsley game.

 

The Sky lot exploded with laughter when Barnsley scored at the end. They all went absolutely f***ing mental.