… So it looks like he's going to become Inter Milan boss in the next day or two. Not bad for a guy who was allegedly too crap to manage Liverpool.

How about Sven?

From Notts County to Mexico to Ivory Coast!

Too crap to manage the team, or just the victim of a team who can't believe that they didn't win anything this season?

Most definitely the victim of a club that cant believe they didnt win anything in the season after they sold their best player and replaced him with an injury prone pansy.

Benitez did a brilliant job at Liverpool under the circumstances.

How much was his severance pay?

Benitez did a brilliant job at Liverpool

You won't find a single Man U fan who'll disagree with that. 🙂

avdave2 – you really do need to include the last three words in my sentence to retain the intended meaning.

a club that cant believe they didnt win anything

shouldn't he be ensuring that they have some belief and also win things? what do you think his job is? I'm sure he should be able to motivate players as part of his daily to-do list?

6 mill ?

shouldn't he be ensuring that they have some belief and also win things? what do you think his job is? I'm sure he should be able to motivate players as part of his daily to-do list?

Rafa doesn't do man management – he's a tactician and wouldn't give the players the steam off his piss. Djibril Cisse plumb bust his leg in two and Rafa scarcely bothered looking at the stretcher, such was his absorption in the game. He made a public exhibition of Robbie Keane for 20 million quid and didn't give a f_k. If the players needed a lift he had team mascots like wee Sammie to jump up and down.

Ironically, the one time where Rafa showed superb man management was in threatening to sell Alonso the first time round. Resulting in a massive re-motivation and return to top form for a player who was looking shyte, injury prone and not interested. He ended up leaving of course, but for serious money. Sadly squandered by Rafa, whose tactical prowess on the pitch is nicely mirrored by his ineptitude in the transfer market.

He ended up leaving of course, but for serious money. Sadly squandered by Rafa, whose tactical prowess on the pitch is nicely mirrored by his ineptitude in the transfer market.

Hardly squandered, that money found its way to Texas….and a certain Mr Hicks

Liverpool chairman, Martin Broughton, was looking out of a window at Anfield when he saw an old lady struggling with 6 heavy Aldi bags. He shouts down "Can you manage love?" she replies "P1ss off I don't want the job"

Benitez did a brilliant job at Liverpool under the circumstances.

Yes 7th utterly fan f@cking tastic why did they sack the under achieving tinkering halfwit?
I admire th eloyalty of the fans but honestly all your rivals are gutted the only pople who loved him mor ethan you were Toffees and Man U fans

Is this really all that bad a record? From where I am sitting it is far superior results wise than what Wenger has managed in that time.

2009/10
Premier League: 7th (63 points)

2008/09
Premier League: 2nd (86 points)
Champions League: Quarter Final (lost to Chelsea)

2007/08
Premier League: 4th (76 points)
Champions League: Semi-Final (lost to Chelsea)

2006/07
Premier League: 3rd (68 points)
Champions League: RUNNERS-UP (lost to AC Milan in Final)

2005/06
Premier League: 3rd (82 points)

2004/05
Premier League: 5th (58 points)
Champions League: WINNERS (beat AC Milan in Final)

Wenger is running a business though, very little debts, good academy, good stadium. Liverpool is a terrible business which is why they can't find a buyer or decent manager.

Hardly squandered, that money found its way to Texas….and a certain Mr Hicks

Nope he squandered it. Standard Liverpool FC deflecting of blame as per.

He spent more money net than any other team apart from Man city and Chelse during his time there but people who buy in myths think the owners gave him no money.

http://transferleague.co.uk/index.php

I dont think anyone is saying he is trully rubbish just that he is not good enough. His european record is far better than his Premiership record but look at what Mourinho has achieved in that time period for example

under the circumstances

Those being that his nett spend in his time at Anfield was within a few million of Chelsea and Manchester United? 🙂

He spent half of what Chelsea did, Man Utd's figures are skewed by Ronaldo's obscene transfer valuation. Funny that 3rd places was pretty regular then isn't it.

Those being that his nett spend in his time at Anfield was within a few million of Chelsea and Manchester United?

His net spend is over 3 times that of Manchester United.

JonR – dont talk rubbish.

On the eve of this season09/10] Liverpool manager Rafa Bentiez bemoaned his side’s lack of financial power. However, an analysis of the spending habits of the ‘Big Four’ since his appointment in June 2004 shows that the Spaniard has outspent Sir Alex Ferguson by £80m. Furthermore, when money raised through player sales is taken into account, Benitez’ net spending dwarves Ferguson’s by £95m and only Chelsea have spent more on player recruitment during the same five-year period.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article6888955.ece
Ps we bought Rooney he bought Morientes and Cisse [ may have been a Houllier purchase to be fair}

It was one of the great scouse myths that he spend f all you are confusing him with Wenger I am not doin ght ebreakdwon I have done this befor ewith you.
Go google and present evidence rather just refute please

Obi, have you looked at the stats on the website I put on? The net spend per year by United when Benitez was in charge was less than a third of the net spend of Liverpool. Its not rubbish, its a fact.

JonR – These ones?

1 Chelsea £558,190,000 £191,875,000 £366,315,000 £20,350,833
2 Manchester City £403,110,000 £102,553,000 £300,557,000 £16,697,611
3 Liverpool £416,855,000 £216,120,000 £200,735,000 £11,151,944
6 Manchester United £415,350,000 £276,065,000 £139,285,000 £7,738,056

First Column purchased, 2nd Sold, 3rd Net Spend and 4th per season spend? Now correct me if I'm wrong buy 3 multiplied by 7.7 is not 11.14. Man Utds figures are massaged a wee bit by Ronaldo's £80m transfer too.

Come on mate, Rafa was terrible but even he couldn't spend 416 million quid. It's the second table in that link which does in fact show a three-fold excess of spending (over Utd) at Anfield under his charge.

The author of that website has obviously only gone to the trouble of putting it together to show Liverpool fans the light, quite a nice touch.

Nope he squandered it. Standard Liverpool FC deflecting of blame as per.

He spent more money net than any other team apart from Man city and Chelse during his time there but people who buy in myths think the owners gave him no money.

Benitez' spend in the 6 years in charge is less than £20 million per year, I think his transfer dealing amounted to him spending £88 million over 6 years, these £240 million figures are true, until you add in what he recouped, much of which went to KOP Holdings in the Cayman isles(the 2 yanks owners)

The list you have linked to is inaccurate, try this…

2004/05

£2m – Josemi: peanuts and was moved on in a swap for Kromkamp 18 months later
£1.5m – Antonio Nunez: part of the Michael Owen deal and filled a gap for a while. Peanuts.
£10.7m – Xabi Alonso: Massive success and sold for £30m+ in the summer when he wanted to leave
£6m – Luis Garcia: Massive success and sold to Athletico Madrid for £4m
Free – Pelligrino: Stop gap that allowed us to rest Sami for league games, benefitting us massively in Istanbul. Now on the coaching staff.
£6.3m – Fernando Morientes: Pretty much everyone made up when we signed him, top class, but never settled. Sold for £3m to Valencia.
£1m – Scott Carson: One the most highly rated young keepers around. Lost out through injury and signing of Reina when Dudek left the club. Sold for £3.25m.

Total bought: £27.5m

Free – Marcus Babbel: Released to Stuttgart at the end of his career.
£2.5m – Danny Murphy: Xabi Alonso signed to fill the role Murphy had in the side
£8.5m – Michael Owen: Wouldn't sign a new contract and sold before he left on a free. He's done nothing since that is a masterstroke with hindsight.
Free – Stephane Henchoz: Released to Celtic at the end of his career

Total sold: £11m

A total of £16.5m net spend in his first year at the club, with the vast majority of that being spent on Xabi Alonso.

2004/05 net spend: £16.5m

2005/06

£240,000 – Antonio Barragan: Kid for the future. Sold for £675,000 to Deportivo a year later.
Free – Boudewijn Zenden: Signed for nothing and released for nothing. Did a job for us.
£6m – Pepe Reina: In the top 3 or 4 keepers in the world now and still young. One of Rafa's best signings.
£5.6m – Momo Sissoko: Brilliant for a few years, had that eye injury and sold to Juventus when his form dipped for £8.2m. Replaced by Mascherano.
£7m – Peter Crouch: One signing I did question but proved to be a great bit of business. Turned him from a laughing stock into an international. Sold for £11m.
Unkown – Miki Roque: Kid bought for peanuts. Sold again for an unknown amount.
£150,000 – Jack Hobbs: Highly rated 16yr old signed from Lincoln. Didn't progress as hoped and sold to Leicester for a reported £1.5m, although figure not confirmed.
£190,000 Besian Idrizaj: No idea who he is
£1.5m – Mark Gonzales: Cheap player to provide back up for the left wing. Sold for £3.5m to Real Betis.
Exchange – Paul Anderson: Swapped for John Welsh. Sold for £250,000.
Exchange – Jan Kromkamp: Swapped for Josemi. Later sold for £1.75m
£5.8m – Daniel Agger: Blighted by injuries but potentially top class and great signing for the money.
£250,000 – David Martin: Young reserve keeper
Free – Robbie Fowler: Pay as you play deal and no risk involved. Scored a few goals. Released in the summer.

Total bought: £26.73

Free – Vladimir Smicer: Out of contract and released. Played a small part in Istanbul.
£3.5m – El Hadji Diouf: The best £3.5m Rafa has ever recieved.
Free – Pellegrino: Filled the gap in the last 5 months of the previous season, not good enough and released.
£2m – Alou Diarra: Sold for £2m. One of Houllier's buys.
£2m – Antonio Nunez: Bought for £1.5m and now sold for £2m when didn't work out.
£6.5m – Milan Baros: A Houllier signing sold at a profit. He's done nothing since.
Exchange – John Welsh: Swapped for Paul Anderson
Exchange – Josemi: Swapped for Kronkamp.

Total sold: £14m

2005/06 net spend: £12.73m
2006/07

£6m – Craig Bellamy: Good signing and later sold for £7.5m to fund Torres deal.
£2m – Gabriel Palletta: Played a few league cup games, not good enough and sold for £1.2m
Free – Fabio Aurelio: Very injury prone but a good player when fit. Great signing for nothing.
£6.7m – Jermaine Pennant: Second choice after missing out on Alves. Ran his contract down and released. Attitude stank.
£9m – Dirk Kuyt: Has his critics, but has been brilliant for the money. 15 goals last season from wide and vital to the way we play. Ultimate pro. Great signing.
£200,000 – Nabil El Zhar: Few cameos last season and improving. Injured now. Promising still. Peanuts.
£750,000 – Astrit Ajdarevic: No idea who he is, and released on a free to Leicester.
Loan – Daniele Padelli: Reserve keeper, made one appearance and never seen again.
Undisclosed – Jordy Brouwer: Young reserve.
£2.5m – Alvaro Arbeloa: Bargain signing, great service for a few years and sold for £3.5m when running his contract down.
Loan – Javier Mascherano: Rescued from West Ham, now one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and will probably be sold to Barca this summer for a massive profit. Paid £18.6m for him a year later at end of loan deal.

Total bought: £27.15m

£200,000 – Zak Whitbread: Youngster
Undisclosed – Bruno Cheyrou: Houllier flopped, sold for a reported £1.5m.
£3m – Fernando Morientes: Didn't work out. Cut his losses.
Free – Didi Hamann: Great servant, released at the end of his career
£675,000 – Antonio Barragan: Paid £240,000 for him.
£2m – Djimi Traore: Houllier signing and daylight robbery getting £2m for him
£500,000 – Neil Mellor: Signed as a kid and did a job for a while. Not good enough and released.
£1.75m – Jan Kromkamp: Nunez bought for £2m, swapped for him, who then sold for £1.75m. Stop gaps at minimal expense.
£525,000 – Darren Potter: Acadamy lad, not good enough and robbery getting that much for him.
£1.5m – Steven Warnock: Probably sold to cheap and looks a mistake with hindsight. Good squad player.
Free – Salif Diao: The clearout of Houllier's flops continues.

Total sold: £10.15m

2006/07 net spend: £17m

2007/08

£5m – Lucas Leiva: Brazilian player of the year when signed. Could still go either way but a lot to prove.
Undisclosed – Krisztian Nemeth: Promising youngster currently out on loan in Athens.
£270,000 – Mikel San Jose Dominguez: Youngester plays in the reserves.
£1.8m – Sebastian Leto: Left winger signing but refused a work permit. Sold for £3m.
£20.2m – Fernando Torres: Bargain of the century
Free – Andriy Voronin: Free transfer to strengthen the squad. Plays well in Germany, garbage over here.
£5m – Yossi Benayoun: Took a while to settle but now a key player. Superb signing and an absolute bargain.
£11.5m – Ryan Babel: Highly rated dutch international. Absolute waste of space. Bad signing on reflection, but nobody knew how he'd turn out. Still got potential but he can't be arsed.
Undisclosed – Charles Itandje: Back up keeper signed for peanuts. Now released.
£1.3m – Emiliano Insua: Youngster who is now a full Argentinian international and massive potential. Bargain.
£6.5m – Martin Skrtel: Been off form this season so far, but brilliant last year and a good signing for the money.
£18.6m – Javier Mascherano: Completion of loan deal

Total bought: £70.7m

£2.7m – Florent Simana-Pongolle: Houllier youngster sold wanting first team football.
£100,000 – Daniel O’Donnell: Kid sold
Free – Jerzy Dudek: Released at end of contract
Free – Zenden: Released at end of contract
Free – Robbie Fowler: Released at end of contract
£4m – Luis Garcia: Wanted to return to Spain. Great service.
£6m – Djibril Cisse: Houllier signing sold to part fund Torres deal.
£7.5m – Craig Bellamy: Sold at profit to part fund Torres deal
£3.5m – Mark Gonzales: Signed for £1.5m and sold when didn’t work out.
£1.2m – Gabriel Palletta: Bought for £2m but never worked out. Young defender.
£3.5m – Chris Kirkland: Houllier signing. Injury prone and wanted first team football.
£8.2m – Momo Sissoko: Great signing, good service, sold when lost his form at a profit.

Total sold: £36.7m

2007/08 net spend: £34m

2008/09

Free – Philip Degen: Garbage, but free.
£7m – Andrea Dossena: Italian international left back. Hasn’t settled. Bad signing.
£3.5m – Diego Cavalieri: Reserve keeper. Only played league cup games so far.
£1.5m – David N’gog: Young French striker. Promising.
£19m – Robbie Keane: Everyone made up when we signed him. Didn’t work out and sold back to Spurs for £16m.
£8m – Albert Riera: Spanish international. Started well but jury still out.

Total bought: £39m

£4m – John Arne Riise: Good servant but form tailed off. Snapped their hands off at £4m.
Free – Harry Kewell: Harry who?
Undisclosed – Anthony Le Tallec: Houllier youngster finally released. Fee not known.
£11m – Peter Crouch: Laughing stock bought for £7m. Great signing. Wanted first team football.
£2.25m – Danny Guthrie: Youngster from Acadamy thought not good enough.
£3.25m – Scott Carson: Injury prone and Reina now first choice. Sold at profit.
Undisclosed – Steve Finnan: Sold for a fee believed to be £1m
£16m – Robbie Keane: Didn’t work out.
Undisclosed – Jack Hobbs: Young defender that didn’t progress. Sold for believed to £1.5m.

Total sold: £36.5m

2008/09 net spend: £2.5m

2009/10

£17.5m – Glen Johnson: Big fee, but has been brilliant so far.
£17.1m – Alberto Aquilani: Injured so far but meant to be a class act. Highly rated in Italy.
£2m – Sotirios Kyrgiakos: Last minute signing to fill Hyypia’s shoes. Only money we had to spend.
£160,000 – Daniel Ayala: Young defender, played a few times this season and looked promising.

Total bought: £36.76m

£250,000 – Paul Anderson: Youngster that didn’t progess.
Free – Jermaine Pennant: Out of contract. Poor signing.
Free – Miki Roque: No idea who he is. Bought for peanuts.
£3m – Sebastian Leto: Signed for £1.8m but didn’t get a work permit. Had to sell.
£3.5m – Alvaro Arbeloa: Wanted to leave and out of contract in the summer.
£30m – Xabi Alonso: Wanted to leave. Bought for £10.7m. Great signing.

Total sold: £36.75m

2009/10 net spend: £10,000

Total Players Bought: £228,976,000
Total Players Sold: £145,100,000

Total Net Spend: £83,876,000
😀

£200,735,000 / £11,151,944
18 years we were discusing Benitez reign arent we? the link says it is for 92–2010
perhpas you should have read the table below the one you wrongly posted

[which gives liverpool as £18,125,000 and Man U as 5,350,000 so yes more than three times man U

1 Chelsea £558,190,000 £191,875,000 £366,315,000 £20,350,833
2 Manchester City £403,110,000 £102,553,000 £300,557,000 £16,697,611
3 Liverpool £416,855,000 £216,120,000 £200,735,000 £11,151,944
6 Manchester United £415,350,000 £276,065,000 £139,285,000 £7,738,056

First Column purchased, 2nd Sold, 3rd Net Spend and 4th per season spend? Now correct me if I'm wrong buy 3 multiplied by 7.7 is not 11.14. Man Utds figures are massaged a wee bit by Ronaldo's £80m transfer too.

No these ones, the ones when Benitez was the boss of Liverpool

1 Manchester City £299,750,000 £71,900,000 £227,850,000 £37,975,000
2 Chelsea £267,950,000 £123,300,000 £144,650,000 £24,108,333
3 Liverpool £249,230,000 £140,480,000 £108,750,000 £18,125,000
4 Tottenham £259,000,000 £162,250,000 £96,750,000 £16,125,000
5 Aston Villa £130,200,000 £40,255,000 £89,945,000 £14,990,833
6 Sunderland £105,080,000 £30,400,000 £74,680,000 £12,446,667
7 Manchester United £193,650,000 £161,550,000 £32,100,000 £5,350,000

And as for the Ronaldo deal that doesn't massage anything because that is what they sold him for. Liverpools stats look better because they got 30 million for a midfielder that Bentiz was trying to flog for 12 the year before. The only way that figure could be skewed is if United didn't get that 80 million which they did.

That is like saying that Liverpool's figures are massaged down because Benitez fluttered 95 million on the signings of:

Morientes
Bable
Dossena
Riera
Keane
Pennant
Aquilani
and Glen Johnson

none of whom have really shook the earth in the Kop.

Fair enough.