Following Gerard Houllier’s poor health and even poorer form on the pitch at Aston Villa, speculation has gathered about his future at the club. Among a list of potential replacements appears the name of the man that replaced him following his departure from Liverpool in 2004, Rafa Benitez.
On paper, this could be a great choice. He has won trophies in three different countries, most notably leading Valencia to two La Liga victories and who could forget the return of the Champions League and FA Cup titles to Liverpool. But, this is a manager not without off-field problems who struggled to take control of a Jose Mourinho’s treble-winning Inter Milan side. Following a disappointing season for Aston Villa after the shock departure of Martin O’Neill and lack of progress under Houllier, would Rafa Benitez be the right man to take the club forward?
Admittedly Villa’s season did not get off to the best of starts following O’Neill’s resignation five days before the start of the campaign. O’Neill had formed a team capable of challenging for European competition and guided them to sixth place in last year’s Premiership. On paper, therefore, Houllier had the correct foundations to develop the team furthermore.
But, despite the backing of owner Randy Lerner, including the £24 million for the January signature of Darren Bent, Villa have stuttered this term and it seems Houllier’s days could be numbered. But why would the Birmingham club choose Benitez?
Whilst he did guide Liverpool to the 2005 Champions League, many have claimed this was with the squad that Houllier built. But, as has been proved with Inter, he clearly isn’t one to feed off legacy of his predecessors and without him at the helm surely Liverpool would not have succeeded so soon. Similarly, by the time his squad had gelled they made the 2007 Champions League final and came runners up in the Premier League in 2009.
I think you are a bit off in your assessmend of Rafa’s relationships with the various teams. At Valencia, he brought them great success but they still did not back him in the transfer market. At Liverpool he brought a lot of success and stability but his reign coincided with that of the idiot Americans and he again was not supported as Kenny is being supported now. At Inter was a bit more tricky. Yes he couldn’t get the most out of the squad that was built to play a different way and succeeded. Any manager is going to have trouble somewhere or the other (as was the case with Kenny and Newcastle). I am very happy to have Kenny in charge but I feel Rafa has been treated unfairly by the media and the likes of you.
if he was brittish he would never been treated like that
Amit, Spot on!!