[Archived] Rafa Benitez

[chaddyrovers]

I'd heard that the pre-contract stipulates that he will only take over providing that:

1. Blackburn Rovers are in the Premier League

2. There are funds available.

3. He has full control - No advisors.

4. He is free to listen to other offers until the end of the season.

I guess you could say that it is more of an agreement in principle than a pre-contract. His agent seems to think that he'll be spending his Saturday afternoons at Ewood Park though.

1. hopefully we will be. need another win

2. we need serious funds like 20 or 25 million pounds

3. very good thing. we don't need them

4. what jobs are likely to be available probably just the Villa job if GH retired or maybe Everton if Moyes moves to Villa.

I think he would be a good choice but not my first choice tho. Every rovers fan will have their own choice who they would want to be manager.

[BangkokRover]

Do you know if that pre contract says an amount?

1. hopefully we will be. need another win

2. we need serious funds like 20 or 25 million pounds

3. very good thing. we don't need them

4. what jobs are likely to be available probably just the Villa job if GH retired or maybe Everton if Moyes moves to Villa.

I think he would be a good choice but not my first choice tho. Every rovers fan will have their own choice who they would want to be manager.

If it gets Kean out the door he is more than welcome

[RevidgeBlue]

I'd heard that the pre-contract stipulates that he will only take over providing that:

1. Blackburn Rovers are in the Premier League

2. There are funds available.

3. He has full control - No advisors.

4. He is free to listen to other offers until the end of the season.

I guess you could say that it is more of an agreement in principle than a pre-contract. His agent seems to think that he'll be spending his Saturday afternoons at Ewood Park though.

That would tend to confirm to me that all this Rafa talk is a load of old cobblers.

It would be possible to draft an agreement subject to condition 1) above. Possibly also condition 4) although why would we want to take someone on who wanted permission to speak to other Clubs before he has even taken over?.

It wouldn't really be possible to draft an agreement subject to condition 3) what exactly constitutes "full control?"

Nor 2 ) unless an exact amount available was specified and I would suggest that that would be fairly unusual and unlikely.

[Stuart]

That would tend to confirm to me that all this Rafa talk is a load of old cobblers.

It would be possible to draft an agreement subject to condition 1) above. Possibly also condition 4) although why would we want to take someone on who wanted permission to speak to other Clubs before he has even taken over?.

It wouldn't really be possible to draft an agreement subject to condition 3) what exactly constitutes "full control?"

Nor 2 ) unless an exact amount available was specified and I would suggest that that would be fairly unusual and unlikely.

Play it again, Rev.

[den]

That would tend to confirm to me that all this Rafa talk is a load of old cobblers.

It would be possible to draft an agreement subject to condition 1) above. Possibly also condition 4) although why would we want to take someone on who wanted permission to speak to other Clubs before he has even taken over?.

It wouldn't really be possible to draft an agreement subject to condition 3) what exactly constitutes "full control?"

Nor 2 ) unless an exact amount available was specified and I would suggest that that would be fairly unusual and unlikely.

Sounds like a gentlemans agreement that he would take over if he can't find another club - and if he still wants to.

[ElTwis]

I just find it hard to believe that three posters on an internet forum have contacts telling them this is correct and that none of the UK media have picked up on it. Considering some of the stories that ARE run, surely if anyone had got a sniff of this it would have made the back pages of some red top somewhere.

A more likely scenario is that BPF, Kamy and Phili have got the story from the same source, and that that source is talking rubbish.

That said, I would love to be proved wrong!

[Billy Castell]

I am warming to the idea of Rafa now. The alleged conditions of any agreement sound OK to me. If met, then I'd assume that the controversial influence of Anderson would diminish, and the daft links to the likes of Ronaldinho would not embarrass us. As a previous poster said, Rafa is not my first choice but an effing huge improvement on Kean.

However, I still have a feeling Benitez will move to Villa once Houllier retires on health grounds. Assuming Kean is not our manager next season, I would not be surprised if some of the following moves took place in the next two seasons:

David Moyes: Everton --> Sunderland (with renewed financial backing).

Steve Bruce: Sunderland --> Blackburn or Fulham

Mark Hughes: Fulham --> Everton

Martin O'Neill --> Newcastle or Blackburn

Gordon Strachan --> Another possibility for Blackburn or Fulham.

In other words, I expect our next real manager to be Bruce, Strachan or O'Neill.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I'd heard that the pre-contract stipulates that he will only take over providing that:

1. Blackburn Rovers are in the Premier League

2. There are funds available.

3. He has full control - No advisors.

4. He is free to listen to other offers until the end of the season.

I guess you could say that it is more of an agreement in principle than a pre-contract. His agent seems to think that he'll be spending his Saturday afternoons at Ewood Park though.

That's it then, he's off to Villa. I think I'll sleep OK tonight.

[67splitscreen]

Thought I heard, well, no I did, Nicko, Villa were cutting back on expenditure, Rafa is not the man to cut your wages Etc.

[chaddyrovers]

I am warming to the idea of Rafa now. The alleged conditions of any agreement sound OK to me. If met, then I'd assume that the controversial influence of Anderson would diminish, and the daft links to the likes of Ronaldinho would not embarrass us. As a previous poster said, Rafa is not my first choice but an effing huge improvement on Kean.

However, I still have a feeling Benitez will move to Villa once Houllier retires on health grounds. Assuming Kean is not our manager next season, I would not be surprised if some of the following moves took place in the next two seasons:

David Moyes: Everton --> Sunderland (with renewed financial backing).

Steve Bruce: Sunderland --> Blackburn or Fulham

Mark Hughes: Fulham --> Everton

Martin O'Neill --> Newcastle or Blackburn

Gordon Strachan --> Another possibility for Blackburn or Fulham.

In other words, I expect our next real manager to be Bruce, Strachan or O'Neill.

I think Moyes will go to Villa and then either SA or MO'N to Everton.

Randy Lerner has been wanted Moyes for at least a year now! Moyes has done a excellent job at Everton!

Bruce will stay be at Sunderland

Either M'oN to Everton or Sam Allardyce with the financal problems they have got.

[Steve Moss]

It wouldn't really be possible to draft an agreement subject to condition 3) what exactly constitutes "full control?"

Nor 2 ) unless an exact amount available was specified and I would suggest that that would be fairly unusual and unlikely.

Full control = control to the exclusion of all others?

And who says there is not a budget agreed upon?

In other words, I expect our next real manager to be Bruce, . . ..

Please no. I'd almost rather have Kean. Almost.

[Amo]

If this guy's gonna be our new boss, can someone at least fix the title?

[Brfcrule1]

I have to sayanyone would be a better option than Kean I only hope this comes off as I feel Rafa could take us to heights we haven't been for years now & with him in charge would suit our owners for attracting marquee names I hope this comes true.

[Seggie]

I have to sayanyone would be a better option than Kean I only hope this comes off as I feel Rafa could take us to heights we haven't been for years now & with him in charge would suit our owners for attracting marquee names I hope this comes true.

My issue with the whole marquee signing thing is that it was never going to happen without something in place to attract them. This is why bringing in a top manager with a recognisable name is important if Venky's want big names, plus that should motivate the existing players to perform better to keep their place in the squad.

[Brfcrule1]

seggie wrote:My issue with the whole marquee signing thing is that it was never going to happen without something in place to attract them. This is why bringing in a top manager with a recognisable name is important if Venky's want big names, plus that should motivate the existing players to perform better to keep their place in the squad.

Seggie that was the point I was making no disrespect to Kean but he is never likely to attract Beckham/Bendtner type players but with Rafa their is a better chance of attracting those & better type of players & the main point I was trying to make your squad will only ever be as good as your manager.

[Seggie]

seggie wrote:My issue with the whole marquee signing thing is that it was never going to happen without something in place to attract them. This is why bringing in a top manager with a recognisable name is important if Venky's want big names, plus that should motivate the existing players to perform better to keep their place in the squad.

Seggie that was the point I was making no disrespect to Kean but he is never likely to attract Beckham/Bendtner type players but with Rafa their is a better chance of attracting those & better type of players & the main point I was trying to make your squad will only ever be as good as your manager.

Personally Id like a top manager who can put a good team together that doesn't require marquee names as I believe unless the club they sign for is massive they turn up with the attitude that the club is smaller than themselves and perform at a poor level, look at Robinho at City.

[Iceman]

Alan Curbishley for me

[BangkokRover]

I am warming to the idea of Rafa now. The alleged conditions of any agreement sound OK to me. If met, then I'd assume that the controversial influence of Anderson would diminish, and the daft links to the likes of Ronaldinho would not embarrass us. As a previous poster said, Rafa is not my first choice but an effing huge improvement on Kean.

However, I still have a feeling Benitez will move to Villa once Houllier retires on health grounds. Assuming Kean is not our manager next season, I would not be surprised if some of the following moves took place in the next two seasons:

David Moyes: Everton --> Sunderland (with renewed financial backing).

Steve Bruce: Sunderland --> Blackburn or Fulham

Mark Hughes: Fulham --> Everton

Martin O'Neill --> Newcastle or Blackburn

Gordon Strachan --> Another possibility for Blackburn or Fulham.

In other words, I expect our next real manager to be Bruce, Strachan or O'Neill.

PLEASE PLEASE not Steve Bruce

[RevidgeBlue]

Full control = control to the exclusion of all others?

And who says there is not a budget agreed upon?

It is theoretically possible but like I say very unlikely in practice imo.

"Total control" implies that if for example Rafa says he wants to buy players X, Y and Z for say £100m the owners have to go along with it.

Also what if the budget stipulated in an agreement is say 25m and the selling clubs play hardball and all of a sudden the players Rafa wants will cost 30 or 35m?.

There's too much room for ambiguity and/or conflict to make it a likely scenario imo.

(On those particular terms anyway)

[Steve Moss]

It is theoretically possible but like I say very unlikely in practice imo.

"Total control" implies that if for example Rafa says he wants to buy players X, Y and Z for say £100m the owners have to go along with it.

Also what if the budget stipulated in an agreement is say 25m and the selling clubs play hardball and all of a sudden the players Rafa wants will cost 30 or 35m?.

There's too much room for ambiguity and/or conflict to make it a likely scenario imo.

(On those particular terms anyway)

Not hard at all. Hypothetical term: Benitez has total control of 15 million transfer budget. Anything above that requires owner approval which will presumably not be granted.

[RevidgeBlue]

At which point Rafa throws his toys out of the pram. Like I say I just can't see it.

We'll have to wait and see if it happens if (god wiling) we stay up.

[BangkokRover]

I am warming to the idea of Rafa now. The alleged conditions of any agreement sound OK to me. If met, then I'd assume that the controversial influence of Anderson would diminish, and the daft links to the likes of Ronaldinho would not embarrass us. As a previous poster said, Rafa is not my first choice but an effing huge improvement on Kean.

However, I still have a feeling Benitez will move to Villa once Houllier retires on health grounds. Assuming Kean is not our manager next season, I would not be surprised if some of the following moves took place in the next two seasons:

David Moyes: Everton --> Sunderland (with renewed financial backing).

Steve Bruce: Sunderland --> Blackburn or Fulham

Mark Hughes: Fulham --> Everton

Martin O'Neill --> Newcastle or Blackburn

Gordon Strachan --> Another possibility for Blackburn or Fulham.

In other words, I expect our next real manager to be Bruce, Strachan or O'Neill.

PLEASE PLEASE not Steve Bruce

[steverovers]

I'd take any of 'em over Kean

[gumboots]

PLEASE PLEASE not Steve Bruce

I won't even bother to say please. Bruce's recent record at Sunderland is dire and, in Rovers' terms he's spent a fortune. He looks and sounds clueless when things go wrong. Why replace Steve Kean with him? We've already got a manager who is out of his depth, and Bruce, in spite of his experience, strikes me as another. If we're changing, we need at least a 10% improvement on Kean and I don't think Bruce is even 1% better. Not advocating keeping Kean, just not replacing him with someone who is not significantly better.

[BRFCfor83]

I don't want the next manager who ever it may be, to follow in the citeh way of thinking, CASH, CASH, CASH! I'd rather build a well gelled team over the next 3 season than aim for instant success with a set over paid muppets.