RAFA BENITEZ didn’t need to think twice when naming Steven Gerrard as the best player he has ever coached — snubbing Cristiano Ronaldo in the process.
Benitez, 64, has managed some of Europe’s top teams during a glittering coaching career which started in 1986 at Real Madrid’s academy.
Rafa Benitez has named Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard as the best player he’s ever worked with[/caption]
Benitez snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo after they fell out at Real Madrid[/caption]
He has since taking charge of giants including Liverpool, Chelsea and Real.
And Benitez has a host of trophies to boot, including two league titles, an FA Cup, one Europe League and a Champions League.
The Spaniard’s travels have seen him work with some of football’s top names.
Fernando Torres, Luka Modric and Eden Hazard are just some of the stars to have crossed Benitez’s path.
But the tactician, most recently in charge of LaLiga side Celta Vigo, reckons Gerrard was head and shoulders above the rest.
Benitez managed the midfield powerhouse for six years at Liverpool, with the pair winning an FA Cup and Champions League together.
Benitez made his choice despite having also managed legendary forward Ronaldo at Real Madrid.
But they famously fell out almost immediately, with Benitez’s contract terminated just six months into his Bernabeu reign.
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Explaining why Gerrard was king in his eyes, Benitez told the It Was What It Was podcast: “He’s the best player that I have ever coached.
“He was very good and at the beginning when we were knowing each other.”
Benitez explained how Gerrard continued to develop throughout his career[/caption]
Benitez was then questioned about the difference between Gerrard and Ronaldo.
He was asked: “You coached Ronaldo. You think Steven was a better player?”
Benitez answered: “In terms of a complete player. Stevie has the power, he could score goals, good in the air, both feet, could shoot from distance, short, taking penalties, deliveries, corners, free-kicks.
“Defending, if it was necessary. He had energy, he trained well and was a good professional. The point with him is he was a box-to-box midfielder from the beginning and little by little he was understanding the game.
“He had all the potential and he was getting better in terms of position and decisions later on. But he was great from the beginning.”
Rafa Benitez’s managerial stats
Those numbers in full:
- Real Madrid B, July 1993-June 1995: P65 W26 D18 L21
- Valladolid, July 1995-Jan 1996: P29 W5 D10 L14
- Osasuna, July 1996-Nov 1996: P11 W3 D4 L4
- Extremadura, July 1997-June 1999: P92 W36 D26 L30
- Tenerife, July 2000-June 2001: P46 W23 D11 L12
- Valencia, July 2001-June 2004: P162 W88 D41 L33
- Liverpool, June 2004-June 2010: P350 W194 D77 L79
- Inter Milan, June 2010-Dec 2010: P25 W12 D6 L7
- Chelsea (interim), Nov 2012-May 2013: P48 W28 D10 L10
- Napoli, May 2013-June 2015: P112 W59 D28 L25
- Real Madrid, June 2015-Jan 2016: P25 W17 D5 L3
- Newcastle, March 2016-June 2019: P146 W62 D31 L53
- Dalian Pro, July 2019-Jan 2021: P38 W12 D8 L18
- Everton, June 2021-Jan 2022: P22 W7 D5 L10
- Celta Vigo, July 2023-March 2024: P33 W9 D9 L15
Trophies
- La Liga x2, Uefa Cup (Valencia)
- FA Cup, Community Shield, Champions League, Uefa Super Cup (Liverpool)
- Italian Super Cup, Club World Cup (Inter Milan)
- Europa League (Chelsea)
- Italian Cup, Italian Super Cup (Napoli)
- Championship (Newcastle)
