3. All signs show that our hero is stressed. The future of the club’s ownership
– and it’s been reported that his relationship with the current American
owners has never been a “hunky dory” situation - may be a cause. His renal
surgeries don’t help either. His
wife’s refusal to move to Juventus could
well be another added factor. The “verbal confrontation” with Sir Ferguson
is a symptom. Plus having Manchester United co-sharing the League’s
leadership and the Championship’s confrontation versus “his” Real Madrid
are of no help either.
Few know that Rafa’s first team as a player was at Real Madrid’s
“academy”. He mixed his university studies with his football career with
lower division Spanish teams but injury caused him to prematurely retire.
His coaching debut was also at Real Madrid: he joined the coaching staff
at the age of 26, going on to work as the under 19 and reserve teams
coach, and as assistant manager for the senior team (under Vicente Del
Bosque). But few are aware of the fact that he and Grande (Del Bosque’s
# 2 since Benítez departure) where Raúl’s first coaches at “the White House”.
Raúl scored 71 goals in 33 games with Castilla (Real Madrid B) under
Benítez, which propelled him to the first team (coached by Valdano). In
total Raúl achieved 83 goals in 180 games in all under categories before
establishing himself as a fixture in the senior team. Meanwhile our man in
Liverpool worked at the club for 6 seasons (1993-1999) in the youth teams
(4 Leagues and 2 Cups), Castilla and Real Madrid (as Del Bosque’s
assistant in his first tenure as Real Madrid’s coach).
With the current turmoil that has led to Ramón Calderon’s dismissal
and expected Presidential elections before the summer, a couple of names
are fixtures in all conversations: Florentino Pérez and Rafa Benítez.
Both formerly associated to the Best Club of the XX Century. Mr. Pérez
is remembered as the “galactic” President. But also as the man who
ruled the Club for three “losing” years, whose flight left us in the current
institutional dire straits.
Rumours fly. And if Florentino finally decides to run in the upcoming
elections all polls show him as the sure winner. His candidacy is associated
to two coaches: Arsene Wegner and Rafa Benítez.
The current Arsenal boss is an old Pérez dream. But the Frenchman has
never showed any appreciation for Real Madrid. In my opinion Benítez
should be the man. The right choice to command the post Raúl situation.
He was his first coach at the club and could be the last (if the circumstances
are right). Wegner isn’t a Champions winner. And “our” Rafa is, coaching
Liverpool. His “second coming” could close the virtuous circle.
