Benitez is still a class act among managers

Jan 17 2007 Red Watch by Andy Proudfoot, Liverpool Daily Post Correspondent

RICK PARRY’S revelation that Real Madrid made a serious approach to Rafa Benitez last summer was a timely reminder of the regard in which our manager is held in the highest echelons of the game.

Though clearly orchestrated to relieve some pressure on the Spaniard, it was a valid riposte to those who have questioned his judgement in the wake of the two cup defeats by Arsenal.

The ridicule heaped upon him from some quarters exceeded that which greeted the FA Cup defeat by Burnley in his first season: then he was just the foreigner who didn’t understand our cup traditions.

Now he has been supposedly shown up by the darling of the Southern press, Professor Arsene Wenger, as tactically inferior and unable to match the Frenchman’s acumen in the development of young talent.

While no-one doubts the abilities of the Arsenal Academic, it’s been conveniently forgotten that he’s been in North London for 10 years compared to Rafa’s two at the Anfield helm; and that Benitez’s trophy haul in that period exceeds Wenger’s.

Last season Arsenal were knocked out of the domestic cups by Wigan and Bolton, and only qualified for this year’s Champions League on the last day of the season, courtesy of a Gooner stomach bug that decimated Spurs players before their game at West Ham.

Oh yes, they also got to the Champions League final – and lost.

Rafa’s soon-retracted outburst against the board last week showed that he is not immune to pressure, and he clearly feels that his achievements to date are under-appreciated by many apart from the supporters.

So if the phone-in ‘diss-jockeys’ convince him that he’s losing this, most important source of support, Parry’s comment shows that there’ll be no shortage of alternatives for him to ponder.

Criticise by all means, but as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for.

Isn’t it time officials got back onside?  >>>