Re: Rafa Benitez the new manager of Napoli

by donttreadonred Sat May 25, 2013 1:37 pm

REWB wrote:how much do you want to bet napoli will win the league next season? watch

I doubt that quite a bit. Juve are fixing their occasionally impotent attack, making them even more of a force, and Milan look to be strengthening after a much better second half to the 2012-13 season. Inter... well... they're finiding new ways to implode all on their own, aren't they?

Rafa is probably too cynical to win the league in his first season. He will likely draw too many matches due to rotation and negative set-ups away from home, ala Liverpool 2008-09. The other side of that is the benefit to the cup runs. Rafa is a very good manager for cup runs and juggling multiple competitions, as evidenced by Chelsea's run-in this season.

Chelsea had some unbelievable fixture congestion at the end of the season, challenging in 2 extra competitions and still trying to ensure a top-four finish. They may not have looked particularly dominant in any one competition (even the EL final), but they got the job done in the end. They won a cup, and they made CL next season. Napoli can probably expect similar results: challenging on multiple fronts, a top three finish, and a good chance at silverware. He may win them a trophy next season, but due to his tactics, I doubt it will be the Scudetto.

by Eivindo Sat May 25, 2013 6:19 pm

You gotta admire Benitez and his confidence, it is actually quite amazing. This has all the ingredients of becoming another failure, or this can be Rafas chance to really take it to another level, as he can now showcase Napoli in the CL with perhaps some of his new signings after the sale of Cavani, and a new system.

Perhaps Viola has a chance of reaching CL next season now? hmm

Cant wait to see what happens this summer!

by Red Alert Sun May 26, 2013 7:05 am

Should just go to PSG. lol

by Suarez99 Sun May 26, 2013 12:12 pm

Some stupid points on here trying to bash Rafa, they were out of the CL by the time he came in you numpties!

Anyway, good luck Rafa. Napoli is my 2nd team and I think he is a wonderful choice.

I'll say it now. Napoli to KO Chelsea in CL and Benitez to do a lap of sticking his finger up at every Chelsea fan Smile

by donttreadonred Sun May 26, 2013 1:56 pm

Eivindo wrote:You gotta admire Benitez and his confidence, it is actually quite amazing. This has all the ingredients of becoming another failure, or this can be Rafas chance to really take it to another level, as he can now showcase Napoli in the CL with perhaps some of his new signings after the sale of Cavani, and a new system.

Perhaps Viola has a chance of reaching CL next season now? Cant wait to see what happens this summer!

Not trying to bash you mate, but I am curious what you define as the "ingredients of becoming another failure."

I can't claim to know Napoli's inner workings too well, and I'd honestly like to know what the state of the club is beyond the on-pitch, footballing matters.

Rafa is a winner on the touchline, and I would question whether he needs to "take it to another level." It's hard to support the argument (though certain demographics of Rafa-haters have been vehemently trying) that he's an awful manager. Just look at his record. Moreover, he's already taken on similar "projects" with Liverpool and Valencia.

What could undermine Benitez is what caught up to him at Inter and, to an extent, Liverpool as well. I'm referring to an active boardroom and the politics and financial bickering that accompany such a setup. If he feels like he's fighting against other factions at the club, does not have the support of ownership, or is not being allowed the freedom to run "his club", then this will not end well.

One thing that actually worked in his favor at Chelsea was the interim-tag. I know that sounds counter-intuitive, and he vociferously disapproved of making the tag public, but I think it helped him. The situation at Chelsea was so toxic upon his arrival, that he was never going to be supported by the fans. While the supporters were certainly incensed, the interim tag at least afforded him effective immunity from the management for the duration of his short tenure.

If Rafa is going to succeed at Napoli, he needs the freedom to run his club as he sees fit. If he gets that freedom, he will work wonders with the stars Napoli already has in place.

by 1991 Sun May 26, 2013 6:27 pm

TBH Rafa Euro Cup record is overrated for a so called 'cup specialist', victories over Juventus & Madrid were the only deserving knock out wins i can recall from the Liverpool days.

I'd give him props for 04/05 & 08/09, that's 2 years out of 7 in CL football.
Ye he won a UEFA cup...With a team that had reached two back to back CL finals & another with a team who has just won it the year before. With Liverpool he was very lucky on numerous occasions and anyone who followed them in those days sat that, that's why generally he was never really highly regarded by the Media as he was by Liverpool fans.

i don't think he will do well for Napoli where he has to do very well in the league to keep them in the CL, something he's only done in one season in his entire career.

by RedOranje Sun May 26, 2013 6:33 pm

Once you become "lucky on multiple occasions" it ceases to be luck and becomes mentality, hard work, and proper preparation... just like United had a very frustrating habit of getting "lucky" late in PL matches under Fergie. And his record getting deep into European competitions deserves recognition as well, even when his sides didn't reach finals they tended to make deep runs that involved beating "better" squads.

by Highburied Sun May 26, 2013 7:00 pm

Comparing Benitez with Fergie lol

by DeletedUser#1 Sun May 26, 2013 7:04 pm

1991 wrote:TBH Rafa Euro Cup record is overrated for a so called 'cup specialist', victories over Juventus & Madrid were the only deserving knock out wins i can recall from the Liverpool days.

I'd give him props for 04/05 & 08/09, that's 2 years out of 7 in CL football.
Ye he won a UEFA cup...With a team that had reached two back to back CL finals & another with a team who has just won it the year before. With Liverpool he was very lucky on numerous occasions and anyone who followed them in those days sat that, that's why generally he was never really highly regarded by the Media as he was by Liverpool fans.

i don't think he will do well for Napoli where he has to do very well in the league to keep them in the CL, something he's only done in one season in his entire career.

Beat Barca (Title- holders) at Camp Nou- Lucky
Destroying Inter Milan in both legs- Lucky
Beating a star-studded Chelsea with Mourinho- Lucky
Beating one of the greatest Milan teams of all time- Lucky
Beating the best post-invincibles Arsenal team- Lucky
and I can go on.

but then, what does an Arsenal fan know about being successful in Europe Laughing

Not respected by the media??? The same English media who genuinely brain-washed people to believe Hodgson is a better manager than Rafa, and the same English media who believe QPR will finish higher up the table with Redknapp than Spurs with AVB. rofl

Didn't know likes of Lawrensen, Andy Gray, Martin Samuel, John Champion, etc are the lynchpin of truth drunken

by 1991 Mon May 27, 2013 7:00 pm

Harry Redknapp wrote:
1991 wrote:TBH Rafa Euro Cup record is overrated for a so called 'cup specialist', victories over Juventus & Madrid were the only deserving knock out wins i can recall from the Liverpool days.

I'd give him props for 04/05 & 08/09, that's 2 years out of 7 in CL football.
Ye he won a UEFA cup...With a team that had reached two back to back CL finals & another with a team who has just won it the year before. With Liverpool he was very lucky on numerous occasions and anyone who followed them in those days sat that, that's why generally he was never really highly regarded by the Media as he was by Liverpool fans.

i don't think he will do well for Napoli where he has to do very well in the league to keep them in the CL, something he's only done in one season in his entire career.

Beat Barca (Title- holders) at Camp Nou- Lucky
Destroying Inter Milan in both legs- Lucky
Beating a star-studded Chelsea with Mourinho- Lucky
Beating one of the greatest Milan teams of all time- Lucky
Beating the best post-invincibles Arsenal team- Lucky
and I can go on.

but then, what does an Arsenal fan know about being successful in Europe

Not respected by the media??? The same English media who genuinely brain-washed people to believe Hodgson is a better manager than Rafa, and the same English media who believe QPR will finish higher up the table with Redknapp than Spurs with AVB.

Didn't know likes of Lawrensen, Andy Gray, Martin Samuel, John Champion, etc are the lynchpin of truth

Feelings caught. Yes lucky. Was dominated by Arsenal in both legs and outsmarted by Wenger who's a shit tactician and plays the same way 95% of the time(and i thought tactics were benitez speciality?), fluked passed thanks to incorrect offside calls & getting a favorable penalty while Arsenal were denied a blatant one. Got passed Chelsea on a dubious Luis Garcia goal the first time then a penalty shootout the second time, another penalty shootout vs Milan...and i didn't mention inter on purpose. We don't give props to beating Mancini in Europe around here Laughing

Avoiding the subject of the English media and why they ridiculed facht boy lets look at the reality that this guy is not rated in the media at large anywhere, Italy or Spain. Because like i said real football connoisseurs knows whats up with Benitez.

by RedOranje Mon May 27, 2013 7:14 pm

So you actually didn't watch Liverpool's CL matches under Rafa and haven't bothered to actually check what the media outside of England believes, preferring to assume that they all agree with your misguided opinions. Thanks for clearing that up.

by Highburied Mon May 27, 2013 7:36 pm

'but then, what does an Arsenal fan know about being successful in Europe '

What Liverpool fans and Nottingham Forest fans have in common?

Q: A museum full of dust.

by RedOranje Mon May 27, 2013 8:00 pm

highburied wrote:'but then, what does an Arsenal fan know about being successful in Europe '

What Liverpool fans and Nottingham Forest fans have in common?

Q: A museum full of dust.

Is this really a proper response when Liverpool have won a trophy more recently than Arsenal?

Ah wait, it's highburied... logic and basic reason need not apply.

by Mr Nick09 Mon May 27, 2013 8:12 pm

official now, new napoli coach

Rafa Benitez the new manager of Napoli - Page 3 BLS1sEuCIAEKTcz

done waiting for PSG? rofl

by BarrileteCosmico Mon May 27, 2013 9:42 pm

Don't see what the problem is. Napoli is an ambitious, patient team. Seems like a good fit.

by Arquitecto Mon May 27, 2013 10:11 pm

Arrigo Sacchi has reflected on the imminent appointment of Rafa Benitez at Napoli and hopes that he is given a positive working environment.

The Spaniard is expected to be announced in the next 24 hours at Walter Mazzarri’s replacement at the Stadio San Paolo.

Known for having a different style of play, Sacchi hopes that the incoming Coach is able to find his feet.

“There are Coaches who practice constructive football and those who choose other paths,” commented Sacchi to Radio Kiss Kiss today.

“There is no continuity because Mazzarri practiced a very different kind of football compared to that Benitez plays.

“Often Coaches arrived to find a situation like that of the Tower of Babel. De Laurentiis has chosen a different route with Benitez, who at an international level has certainly done more.

“Will he be more successful? Winning is an adjective that I never use. Eriksson and Ancelotti are labelled as losers, but then look at their careers and you’ll realise they have won everything.

“If you win, the merits are not always all yours. The project engineer must be at the centre, this usually does not happen because he must also govern business.

“You have to find groups of players who are not so different from one another. Then this simplifies the situation when working.

“Benitez is a serious professional, if he is placed in the ideal conditions then he can give you a style of play and you can achieve certain goals.

“The game and the motivation will count, but the result will only come if you have both elements, otherwise it is like have petrol, a car, but no motor. The engine is the game.

“Mazzarri has done a great job at Napoli and above all, in addition to having a functional identity he has chosen players ideal to his philosophy of play and he got what he wanted.”

Sacchi

OT: So happy for Rafa to finally make a smart and intelligent choice of clubs instead of overtaking Chelsea and Inter despite the numerous circumstances he had to be in trial of. I don't like the club Napoli yet they are a patient, ambitious and intelligent club capable of solid spending through their stable finances and some of the finest support in Europe if results go your way.

Now finally Rafa actually takes a club to which I don't have ill feelings towards as such was the case when he joined Inter and Chelsea, which brought a begrudging support for both of those teams during his tenures. It felt wrong.

Now with Napoli I will not hesitate to watch and support his teams as his cause in Europe will be one of ambition unlike the cautious Mazzari who would throw away everything for a Top 3 let alone Scudetto.

#VamosRafa

by Art Morte Mon May 27, 2013 10:12 pm

Good on Benitez, getting his hands on a CL team. My only worry is that you get a feeling that Napoli are punching above their weight a little, an untraditional 2nd place finisher in Italy and in danger of losing their best player before Benitez will have his first game in charge. In any case I wish him the best of luck (and hopefully a bit of money to spend).

by donttreadonred Mon May 27, 2013 10:30 pm

That is the concern, isn't it? The squad as it is can compete. But, what will that squad look like after this window?

Here's hoping that Rafa gets a season with the likes of Cavani, Hamsik, etc. Those two in particular fit Rafa's tactical approach and could do great things under Benitez's guidance.

by Highburied Mon May 27, 2013 10:38 pm

Excuses began before season even started.

:coffee:

If Rafa reaches top 3, i will :bow:

and get the hell outta this forum.

If not, then all of Rafa lovers can have a last wish.

by McLewis Tue May 28, 2013 1:52 am

I will hold you to that, HB. If you renege on that...I'll ban you myself.

As for Rafa....I can only really look at Napoli with a bit of jealousy honestly. A coach that sets up defensively stable teams by habit taking on a team that's already known for their defensive solidity. An inspired move from Napoli, must be said.

I don't think there will be any repeats of what happened to him at Inter. That was a toxic situation waiting to happening even before he arrived there. Things are far better with Napoli as this is a younger team with a more understanding owner (I wouldn't really call ADL specifically "patient").

Very intriguing to see not only who gets this summer, but how he sets up this side.

by LuckAndWin Tue May 28, 2013 8:09 am

New Manager of Napoli
Nice decision.
Now Rafa Benitez doesn't need to worried too much of the supports of its fans. Hope he can do better with Napoli & his new sky blue team. drinking

by Red Alert Tue May 28, 2013 9:22 am

Napoli to say goodbye to 3 at the back?

Can see Hamsik breaking it as a European elite player in 2 years. He was for me, arguably the best player in the Serie A last season.

by Suarez99 Tue May 28, 2013 11:46 am

Its a great appointment for Napoli, but I cant see them improving on last seasons points tally if they lose Cavani.

But no doubt people will say Benitez ruined them if they lose Edison and finish 1 point off 2nd. Rolling Eyes

by LuckAndWin Tue May 28, 2013 12:18 pm

Suarez99 wrote:Its a great appointment for Napoli, but I cant see them improving on last seasons points tally if they lose Cavani.

But no doubt people will say Benitez ruined them if they lose Edison and finish 1 point off 2nd.

Make sense.

And Cavani interests with sky blue-the citizens(Man City)

by DeletedUser#1 Wed Nov 06, 2013 11:36 pm

9-1-1 record in the league
3-0-1 record in CL

12-1-2 in all competition

Goal Scored: 31
Goals Conceded: 14

All that with their second best defender being injured half season, and their best striker missing a crucial run of games as well.

Yet, in opinion of molenation, they are "Garbage" ....Yes. GARBAGE

Bet 95% of teams out there would love to be "Garbage" then.

by Swanhends Wed Nov 06, 2013 11:38 pm

Solid bump

All the Rafa hate in here Laughing

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