Departing first team coach Alex Miller pays tribute to Rafa Benitez

May 11 2008

Rafa Benitez and Steven Gerrard

Former Liverpool first team coach Alex Miller insists he will be “always indebted” to Rafael Benitez despite opting to quit the Spaniard’s Anfield backroom staff this week.

On Thursday it was announced the 58-year-old would be leaving the Barclays Premier League club to take up a managerial post with Japanese side JEF United Chiba.

But speaking at his unveiling today, the ex-Hibernian and Aberdeen boss claimed he left Merseyside after nine years with nothing but admiration for Benitez.

“Rafa understood that I wanted to manage a club again. The players understand fully why I’ve left and they were very supportive on Thursday, my last day,” said the former director of scouting at Anfield.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with Rafa. He’s a very good coach and we had great success in the last four years, when you look at what we’ve achieved.

“>fr 1,8fr 3,8< was a fantastic position to be in at such a top club. I worked exceptionally hard for years with numerous clubs to try to get to the top and he gave me that chance.

“I would be always indebted to him.”

Miller was the second prominent member of Benitez’s backroom staff to quit Anfield this season following the departure of Pako Ayesteran, his assistant, last August.