RAFA'S OFF TO REAL!!! - TalkSoccer

Morrison · 07-01-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Frustrated Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will finally join Real Madrid in the summer - at the third time of asking.

Benitez believes he is a dead man walking at Anfield following his war with the Kop's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

And he is ready to quit Britain, having turned down two Madrid attempts to snap up the 2003 Champions League mastermind.

Real are not the only football superpower primed to make a move, with friends close to Benitez insisting he will no longer be at Anfield next season.

Top Italian sides Inter and AC Milan are hot on the Spaniard's heels, with Bayern Munich also massively impressed by the former Valencia chief.

But Benitez favours Madrid where cash is available to take on Europe's elite - including the money men of Chelsea, Barcelona and the Milan giants.

Benitez, Hicks and Gillett have a strained relationship and an uneasy peace exists between the two parties after their public row late last year.

And those within the Benitez inner circle claim the coach knows his position is untenable after being given:

No hint he'll be offered a new contract once his deal expires in 2010.

No guarantees that major cash reserves will be available for the stars he needs next summer.

No olive branch from the Americans during clear-the-air talks on Merseyside last month.

Benitez has continued to commit himself to Liverpool and again last night the Spanish coach was publicly stating his desire to stay at Anfield despite huge speculation in Spain that his love affair with the club is over.

But I can reveal the Kop favourite believes he is in the final months of his four-year reign.

Benitez said: "My commitment to the club is 100 per cent and I am really disappointed for the supporters when we lose.

My idea is just to do the right things and I try to do my best every day."

That, it seems, is not good enough for the Americans.

And it will lead to Rafa bidding farewell in May - with Martin O'Neill and Jurgen Klinsmann already installed as favourites to succeed him.

Benitez is frustrated at trying to keep Liverpool in touch with the Big Three - with both hands tied behind his back financially.

He said: "I would not like to say it's a Big Three because I want to see my team as one of the top sides. But I have said before and my message is very clear: we must do almost everything perfectly to compete with the likes of Manchester United at the moment.

But we still must try to do it.

"You know the figures. Over a season it is a massive difference with United because they get 75,000 fans every other week and Arsenal 60,000.

"That is £2million or £3m more every other week and with that you can buy one or two top-class players.

"So how can you compete with that and reduce the gap? The only answer is to do everything almost perfectly."

Robinho4Ever · 07-01-2008, 02:45 PM

No thanks...
We are happy with Schuster.
Rafa can kiss my ass

BTW, Calderon revealed that he wants Schuster to become Real Madrid's Alex Ferguson !!!!!!!!!

**Pat Murphy** · 07-01-2008, 03:53 PM

I think Schuster has done enough so far to almost guarantee his place on the bench next season. Even if they lose the title I still think he'll be there.

But considering how badly Valencia are doing, might we maybe see Rafa back at Valencia for next season?

**Trim** · 07-01-2008, 04:05 PM

Why do they link Rafa with Madrid?

Madrid are fine with Schuster. Top of the league and everything.

**Pennywise** · 07-01-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trim17

Why do they link Rafa with Madrid?

Madrid are fine with Schuster. Top of the league and everything.

Because Rafel Benitez is born in Madrid and have worked in Real Madrid before and have traditions and 'feelings' for the club. He has also won La Liga, the UEFA cup and the Champions League...so its not weird that they link him to Madrid sometimes.

However, as the situation is today, Schuster over Benitez anyday. Rafael are doing too much rotations with The Reds, that's why they won't get stability to win the league.

I am not a big supporter of his style either, but I don't think Real Madrid had been bad under him.

Robinho4Ever · 07-01-2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat Murphy

I think Schuster has done enough so far to almost guarantee his place on the bench next season. Even if they lose the title I still think he'll be there.

But considering how badly Valencia are doing, might we maybe see Rafa back at Valencia for next season?

Maybe !! why not ??
They have good players, + Benitez fits Valencia the most from all coaches in the world !!

**Jager** · 07-01-2008, 11:26 PM

He is not off to Inter...Milan maybe.

I would just like to know exactly what coach is good for Real Madrid???

Robinho can you please tell us?

Robinho4Ever · 08-01-2008, 07:31 AM

Three words: Vicente del Bosque.

The biggest mistake of Florentino Perez was firing the best coach ever who was on the lines at Madrid. All the fans was in love with the man. He's a genius of football !! Until now, if you mention Perez, The first thing that will pop in my mind: "he's the son of a ___ who fired Del Bosque !!" ....

I remember the team of Del Bosque as the team which played the most effectively in Europe, the team also played the demanded fast & attacking football. It was like you want to watch more than 90min of Figo, Zidane and Raul. It was more like a magic ....

I just don't understand why he was fired ... and why bringing Queiroz istead of him ??

Real Madrid of this season reminds the fans a bit of the team of 2001-2002. But we need to have more continuance .... Against Barca (away) Real looked simply brilliant, but the show against Zaragoza reminded me more of the Real of Capelo ...

I wish we could have Del Bosque back from Basiktas, but till now we have to be satisfied of Schuster. Maybe Schuster is the man who'll bring us the domination of Europe again ...

**Pennywise** · 08-01-2008, 03:55 PM

1. Del Bosque did not get sacked in Real Madrid. His contract ran out and he didn't get a new one.

2. Del Bosque will always be remembered as one of the biggest. He were the boss from 1999-2003 and won both CL and La Liga two times each. But he also had one of the best players ever on the same team. A good Zidane, Figo, Ronaldo, Makelele, Raul, Redondo, Hierro, Helguera, El Moro and all the other superstars. And the fact is that Real Madrid were a team full of superstars that worked and fit together.

After Del Bosque and till Capello took over in 2006, things were bad under Florentino Perez, even the club earned money as never before. They finished second twice in the league then, right after superBarca with Ronaldinho as 'the one and only'.

But Ramon Calderon got President in 2006, and after that, all things have went up for Real Madrid. The results and the economy have been better and Real Madrid is today a real team with both skilled and talented players.

Capello did his number one task, to get calm and win a trophy (even he had some luck) and after Capello had done the job (under his unRealMadrid style) Bernd Schuster (who will play what the club and the fans want) took over and since then there have been good results in both Europe, La Liga and the Spanish Cup.

I like the team. Its full of talents and relativ young players like Casillas, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo, Torres, Metzelder, Baptista, Robinho, Higuain, Diarra, Gago, Robben, Soldado, Saviola and some skilled like Raul, Cannavaro, Van Nistelrooy, J.M Guti.

Its also great to see that Robinho has got his breakthrough. 10 goals and 7 assists on 19 matches so far is approved, and with great Brazlian Samba play.

Schuster is the right man today. He has continued Capellos continuity with offensive and attacking football. - but in football - things turn fast. In three months, we can demand his head on a plate.