[Archived] Rafa Benitez

[tony gale's mic]

Guillem Balague

For those who ask: Rafa Benítez has offers from Turkey, Russia and a couple of national teams. Nothing from Chelsea, Aston Villa, At M or Sevilla. He is not in a rush, not close to sign for anybody. Prefers to get a team that fulfils his ambition: with aspirations of Europe and possibility to work with first team and Academy. He will wait for that before he thinks of any other possibilities.

Hmm...who to believe? philipl or Guillem Balague? This is difficult.

Having said that, the requirements set out don't necessarily rule us out.

There's not even a mention of having to be in Europe - just "aspirations of Europe".

[Gav]

Hmm...who to believe? philipl or Guillem Balague? This is difficult.

Having said that, the requirements set out don't necessarily rule us out.

There's not even a mention of having to be in Europe - just "aspirations of Europe".

To be fair to philipl, the Rafa story isn't his by all accounts, so it could be on!

[Majiball]

In what way Rev? He has given success to every single club he has ever managed? Steve Clarke and Ray Wilkins weren't around then.

Wilkins was incredibly popular with the players, Ancelotti came out and said Chelseas sacked him not me. I don't think Torres helped as he was Roman's brainchild and Chelsea struggled to incorporate him tactically.

Abramovich is his own worst enemy at times.

[tony gale's mic]

To be fair to philipl, the Rafa story isn't his by all accounts, so it could be on!

Well, he had been intimating for some time that Rafa had signed a pre contract with Rovers on the condition we stayed up. And has recently said Rafa went back on this agreement.

Anyway, I still don't think it'll happen. I think Kean will still be in his job come August.

[1864roverite]

Ancelotti wont be short of offers I am certain of that HOWEVER why would anyone think he wouldnt consider the Rovers job ?

He said earlier this month and was quoted that he would be prepared to manage west ham in the championship so why not Rovers, an established Premier League team with some quality playing staff ?

With a little tinkering, a good coach such as Ray Wilkins, Rovers could attract the right calibre of player to complement this current squad. A midfielder and striker would easily be accessible and he would be shy of showing the inferior players the exit door.

Lets see, Kean or Ancelotti to take the club forwards ???

[Torgeir]

Wilkins was incredibly popular with the players, Ancelotti came out and said Chelseas sacked him not me. I don't think Torres helped as he was Roman's brainchild and Chelsea struggled to incorporate him tactically.

Abramovich is his own worst enemy at times.

Torres is such a quality player that incorporating him into their tactics shouldn't pose a problem. I think it's just a matter of time before he gels with his teammates and will start scoring again - if he can get a good summer off then he'll come back with batteries charged and ready to go. A lot of players suffer after a World Cup or European Championship, and Torres had a dreadful one that didn't exactly help him kick-start his new season.

As for Benitez I think he's better than what we got, but regardless I'll be excited to see what kind of players will be brought in. If Kean brings in some names then I think they'll perform anyhow - the current playing staff seem to enjoy playing for him, even if we have been struggling a fair bit.

[Majiball]

Torres is such a quality player that incorporating him into their tactics shouldn't pose a problem. I think it's just a matter of time before he gels with his teammates and will start scoring again - if he can get a good summer off then he'll come back with batteries charged and ready to go. A lot of players suffer after a World Cup or European Championship, and Torres had a dreadful one that didn't exactly help him kick-start his new season.

As for Benitez I think he's better than what we got, but regardless I'll be excited to see what kind of players will be brought in. If Kean brings in some names then I think they'll perform anyhow - the current playing staff seem to enjoy playing for him, even if we have been struggling a fair bit.

Torres spent this season at pool going through the motions, but him and drogba were always going to take time to gel as both have spent so long playing on there own up front. Anelka always drifts out wide and like to play the channels so Drog can stay central. I think the two of them could work out but I feel chelsea would need to change the layout of their midfield and make it wider as they are very narrow in there when Ancelotti was in charge. that would give torres and drogba a bit more space to play in and some strong support from out wide. hopefully they do hit it off as Torres and drogba firing on all cylinders could be an electric partnership next season.

[True Blue & White]

We're not a big enough 'cloob' for him

[RevidgeBlue]

If money was absolutely no object and we were talking in an ideal world the other stand out candidate for me apart from Hiddink would be the chap in charge of Porto Villas Boas.

Would presumably take some offer to persuade him to swap the Champions League for Ewood Park though and he's also being heavily touted for the Chelsea job.

[neekoy]

hopefully they do hit it off as Torres and drogba firing on all cylinders could be an electric partnership next season.

I don't see it working ever. Torres is another Shevchenko, completely brilliant when running onto a through ball but lacks the necessary ability to hold up a ball and create his own space or space for others. Drogba is a complete player and necessary for Chelsea because of the limited abilities of Lampard.

If Chelsea want the best from Torres then they need to change their whole style of play, which essentially means dispensing of the best striker in the BPL and a midfielder who scores a shedload of goals and breaking the bank on Fabregas, Iniesta or Sneijder.

[cruz]

BPL. Do they refine fossil fuels?

[BangkokRover]

I don't see it working ever. Torres is another Shevchenko, completely brilliant when running onto a through ball but lacks the necessary ability to hold up a ball and create his own space or space for others. Drogba is a complete player and necessary for Chelsea because of the limited abilities of Lampard.

If Chelsea want the best from Torres then they need to change their whole style of play, which essentially means dispensing of the best striker in the BPL and a midfielder who scores a shedload of goals and breaking the bank on Fabregas, Iniesta or Sneijder.

We all know that on his day Torres is a world class player. But something happened to him at Liverpool WAY before his terrible World Cup. Chelsea are a team in complete transition, finishing 2nd in the league and sacking the manager does some very harsh. But Chelsea were WAY ahead in the league and destroying teams then Ray Wilkins was told to leave and their season fell apart.

The top of the league should be interesting next season as long as Man City don't win I will be happy.

[Mayfield]

theres still rumours on various websites linking Benitez to us, this one says we're battling with Villa for him. Personally i'd love to see him as Rovers manager. My link

[BPF]

theres still rumours on various websites linking Benitez to us, this one says we're battling with Villa for him. Personally i'd love to see him as Rovers manager. My link

I'm afraid that site takes things that myself / Kamy / Philipl have said and then beef it up with 'facts'.

For example:

An earlier one...

[cmb211087]

Well Sergio does want to leave Athletico............

[PAFELL]

theres still rumours on various websites linking Benitez to us, this one says we're battling with Villa for him. Personally i'd love to see him as Rovers manager. My link

Maybe rumours, but I do not believe they are true rumours. Kean has already said he spoke with the owners on Sunday, they agreed about the budget for the transfer window. That tells me that Kean is staying.

Unless Kean is going to be either the assistant manager or go back to being a coach. I cannot see the latter. Kean has now got a taste for management - so he would maybe try to manage another club. I can see him being an assistamt manager and learning from somebody else. I would accept that, if that happened. That could still be a possibility that I wouldn't rule out. Maybe Rovers have to do that, in order to attract the players the team needs.

The fact is, like it or not Kean did well for a novice. I think if he had been an already experienced manager and the team went on the bad run it went on, Kean would have been sacked. But maybe the fact everybody (owners etc)knew he was a novice, maybe saved him. A brave, but dangerous thing to do. Which thankfully we got away with.

When we consider Ince had more management experience, when he came to rovers, then Kean. Yet the players played for Kean. This speaks volumes to me in itself. Kean is better than Ince. I do not know what the stats are for the two.

[BangkokRover]

Kean is better than Ince.

Is that supposed to be an endorsement for Kean?

[gumboots]

Is that supposed to be an endorsement for Kean?

No but Kean lost the players, and Kean definitely didn't. They may have taken more responsibility for what happened on the pitch, but then so they should. They wouldn't have taken on that responsibility if they had not been playing for the manager.

[Majiball]

No but Kean lost the players, and Kean definitely didn't. They may have taken more responsibility for what happened on the pitch, but then so they should. They wouldn't have taken on that responsibility if they had not been playing for the manager.

A lot of the players were gutted when Kean left.

[Kelbo]

No but Kean lost the players, and Kean definitely didn't. They may have taken more responsibility for what happened on the pitch, but then so they should. They wouldn't have taken on that responsibility if they had not been playing for the manager.

I know you need a break and its almost half term, however, - 'must do better'

[BuckyRover]

I know you need a break and its almost half term, however, - 'must do better'

Patronising and condescending.

[Stockport rover]

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/05/24/aston-villa-face-competition-from-blackburn-rovers-in-rafa-benitez-chase/

anyone reckon there is any truth in this? tbh I think the venkys will stick with kean :S

[gumboots]

I know you need a break and its almost half term, however, - 'must do better'

Whoops, sorry - actually writing reports tonight and the system is such that the computer keeps asking me stupid questions about them and it's driving me nuts. Wasn't concentrating there. Fortunately, you all know what I meant!

[neekoy]

BPL. Do they refine fossil fuels?

Wha??

Barclay's Premier League?

[PAFELL]

Is that supposed to be an endorsement for Kean?

NO -read other posts when I have said I want him removed as the manager. But I would be happy to retain him as an assistant or coach.