Sami says Rafa's a good man-manager

[Maldini]

http://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/liverpool-fc/127736-sami-hyypia-backs-rafael-benitez-to-deliver-liverpool-fc-to-top-four-finish.html

 

Sami Hyypia has hit back at Rafael Benitez's detractors, insisting that the Liverpool manager will deliver the side to a top four finish in the Barclays Premier League this season.

 

The Finn, who left Anfield last summer after a decade on Merseyside, responded to critics calling for the Kop boss to resign following a tumultuous campaign for the Reds which has seen them fail tu build on last season's second-place achievement.

 

However Hyypia, 36, feels that the Spaniard's achievements in the Champions League have been largely downplayed despite working on a significantly lesser budget than Chelsea.

 

He said: "Should Benitez quit as Liverpool manager? Absolutely not, he has done a great job there so why should he? He hasn't had the money of Manchester United and Chelsea, but he has still been successful.

 

"Look how much Chelsea have spent to try and win the Champions League. Rafa won the Champions League in his first season in charge, then got to another final with nowhere near the budget of Chelsea."

 

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Hyypia has tipped his former club to pip the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City to the elusive Champions League qualification spot and thinks the players will thrive on the pressure to win the race for fourth spot.

 

"I am sure that Liverpool will finish in the top four," he insisted.

 

"Manchester City and Spurs have put together great squads, but when the pressure is on in the last 10 games of the season, experience starts to show.

 

"Most of those Liverpool lads know what it is like to play under pressure, and that for me is why they will finish the season in the top four.

 

"Rafa is an excellent man-manager and during all my time at Liverpool everybody liked him and everybody respected him.

 

"Players don't stick up for their gaffer if you are not a good man-manager.

 

"It would be easy for the players to blame the manager, but they are taking responsibility and sticking up for their boss - and that's a rare thing now."

 

Hyypia, currently plying his trade at Bayer Leverkusen, still holds Anfield close to his heart and believes that there may be a role for him at the club once his playing days are over.

 

He added: "I had some great years there, made some great friends, and built up a very special relationship with the fans.

 

"I think the door will always be open for me at Liverpool."

[Benzo-13]

I love Sami Hyypia.

Legend.

[ChrisC]

A come and get me plea if I ever I saw one!

[smithdown]

I'm sorry but that just flies in the face of what we can see with our own eyes when Ronnie Whelan and Charlie Nicholas are giving their opinions on the telly.

[CarraLegend]

Benitez is cold, calculated Spanish scum.

[smithdown]

Benitez is cold, calculated Spanish scum.

 

Kev's new flag?

 

Only messing.

[Zoob]

I'm sorry but that just flies in the face of what we can see with our own eyes when Ronnie Whelan and Charlie Nicholas are giving their opinions on the telly.

 

It's true. Sami needs to check out what these people are saying, or else he risks making himself look stupid.

[Tones]

Well in Sami. Not enough of our former players sticking up for the manager. Samis a legend though. Expect only good things from him.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Sami has scored the opener for Leverkusen in todays game, they are 0-1 away to Hockenheim , or something.

 

They have our "Oh Sami, Sami" chant going on.

[Jarg Armani]

it's on live on espn, which is free this weekend.

[Hassony]

I'm sorry but that just flies in the face of what we can see with our own eyes when Ronnie Whelan and Charlie Nicholas are giving their opinions on the telly.

 

not just them, I have read a lot of posts here that says the same things, annoys me really as I have no idea how they came up to their conclusion

[Redray]

Well before the end of February the discussion will have long moved from will we finish in the top four to where we will finish in the top four.

[Will]

Met him last Sunday at the BayArena and he clearly still has a lot of time for the club and the fans - he clearly respected Rafa's methods too even if he admitted he didn't always understand them at the time

[Damian_de]

The evidence that Rafa is a poor man manager is what, exactly? Pennant whinging? It is unbelievable how many people in the media and supporters just go along with that like it's some kind of received wisdom, where there has never been a shred of evidence for it as far as I can remember.

[floyd]

He said: "Should Benitez quit as Liverpool manager? Absolutely

 

Daily Mail - Ex Reds captain Hyypia calls for Rafa to be sacked

[Redray]

The evidence that Rafa is a poor man manager is what, exactly? Pennant whinging? It is unbelievable how many people in the media and supporters just go along with that like it's some kind of received wisdom, where there has never been a shred of evidence for it as far as I can remember.

 

The evidence is clear.

 

It reveals that even though Man City have greater depth of quality in their sqaud, greater purchasing power, we should still finish above them because we are Liverpool.

 

If Rafa fails to achieve this he is evidently s*** as regular miracle worker and deserves to be sacked.

[MFletcher]

He's lost the dressing room.

 

Or so certain people on this forum would have you believe. I just can't understand some of the bulls*** judgments made that are based on nothing but wild speculation and then justified with 'that's my opinion'.

[AE]

The evidence that Rafa is a poor man manager is what, exactly? Pennant whinging? It is unbelievable how many people in the media and supporters just go along with that like it's some kind of received wisdom, where there has never been a shred of evidence for it as far as I can remember.

 

I am sorry but our ex-players from when we was famous would have better contacts and know more than anyone who just happens to "work at Melwood" or have "left in the summer having worked with Rafa for 4 years", Why else would Gerrard and Torres be issuing "come and get me" pleas to City, Inter, AC, Real, Accrington Stanley et al.

Edited January 24, 2010 by AE

[Andy Mac]

Met him last Sunday at the BayArena and he clearly still has a lot of time for the club and the fans - he clearly respected Rafa's methods too even if he admitted he didn't always understand them at the time

 

Clang !

[Loblaw]

Sami is simply class personified, so i wouldn't expect anything less from the man. Absolute pro.

 

It's just sad he's now playing in Leverkusen rather than Liverpool. Don't think we made enough of an effort to keep him, and when he was here, wasn't used nearly enough. He was, even up until his last game for the club, our best centre back....quite comfortably too. So, a shame he was never afforded the same loyalty Carra has, despite being every bit the servant for the club.

[John am Rhein]

they are 0-1 away to Hockenheim

 

think Hyypiä may lack the pace for that one

[carrafan]

haha!

[richwilks]

Proper Liverpool legend, a few other ex-players could do with taking a leaf out of Sami's book.

 

Being a Liverpool legend isn't just about what you did on the pitch when you were playing here, it's about showing loyalty and class when talking about the club after as well.

[Benzo-13]

Rafa being linked to Juve in the papers tomorrow due to Manuel Garcia Quillon's quotes today.

[CarraLegend]

Juve would be mad not to at least test the water. Wouldnt surprise me if there was a parting of ways at the end of the season, he gets another big job and we get a fresh start.