Rafa's press conference when leaving Valencia

[Maldini]

I was just reading about it the other day in Balague's book, does anyone have video of it?

[Guest Banjo]

If you're talking about his voice cracking up and him not being able to finish what he was saying about, its true. I think there was clip of it on that Valencia fansite, the one with the orange and white background, where you could also download all their goals etc. That site has clips of practically everything Valencia.

[owenthomas]

try searching Sky Sports mate - they definitely had it on their tv channel - maybe there's a clip of it there??

 

btw - Balague's book.. what do you think? I'm halfway through and finding it quite a decent little read.. i'd recommend it to anyone who doesn't have a copy..

 

i'm going to get the Paco Lloret one once i've finished this one..

[Maldini]

I only read about 20 pages on Christmas day, interesting so far

[slapnuts]

from 4thegame.com

 

It was announced on June 1st 2004 that Benitez was leaving Valencia, and in an emotional statement to a news conference at the Mestalla Stadium he said: "This is possibly one of the most difficult decisions I've had to make in my sporting life. I am not going to continue.

 

"I want to value as positive the efforts of the club to renew my contract, but the efforts the last season and the physical and psychological effects on me have made me consider my future.

 

"We (Benitez and his family) are going to analyse the future in the next few days to make the best possible decision.

 

"Personally I want to thank everyone, the players and the employees of the club, the media and especially the fans for their support..."

 

Benitez was then overcome and left the press room in tears, unable to deliver the final lines of his statement, which read: "I have two daughters, one is a Valencia fan, and Valencia will always be in my thoughts and in my heart."

 

Speculation had already been rife that the Spanish coach was leaving to become the new manager at Liverpool, and his departure from Valencia added weight to those rumours. His appointment at Anfield was officially confirmed on June 16th in a news conference after serving 15-day notice period following his resignation from the Primera Liga Champions.

 

He said on his arrival: "I am a very, very proud man today because all the coaches in Spain like to be at the best club. We know Liverpool are one of the most important clubs in the world. I know the history of Liverpool Football Club. It is big, wonderful.

 

"I am young, I want to win a lot of matches and I want to win in the right way. I want the supporters to be proud of the team, of the manager, of the players, of the club. It is a dream to come to one of the best leagues in world, one of the best teams."

 

still cant find the video.

[Benitez]

Benitez was then overcome and left the press room in tears, unable to deliver the final lines of his statement, which read: "I have two daughters, one is a Valencia fan, and Valencia will always be in my thoughts and in my heart."

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Misstranslation that was, I remember reading that when he arrived here. What he said was 'One is a Valencian' in reference to the fact his youngest daughter was born in Valencia.

[mercury]

Misstranslation that was, I remember reading that when he arrived here. What he said was 'One is a Valencian' in reference to the fact his youngest daughter was born in Valencia.

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Yup, in the books mentioned in this thread, Rafa was referring both his daughters as "falleras", lovers of Valencia's spring firework festival and that one of them is Valencian.

Edited December 28, 2005 by mercury

[owenthomas]

Misstranslation that was, I remember reading that when he arrived here. What he said was 'One is a Valencian' in reference to the fact his youngest daughter was born in Valencia.

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Bran/Mercury - which book's the best.. Balague's or Llorets? quite enjoying Balague's at the moment..

[Benitez]

Bran/Mercury - which book's the best.. Balague's or Llorets? quite enjoying Balague's at the moment..

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I enjoyed both, I guess if I had to say one was better than the other, it'd be Mr Llorets book.

 

What put me off Ballague's a bit, was there was too much comment from Chris Bascombe in it, which he used as yet another way to get his own personal grudges out into the public view, which was unecessary. BUT it was still a very enjoyable book to read (for sure ).

 

Paco Lloret's book has a lot more about Rafa's time in Spain, in fact the majority of the book is from that perspective, and that is very interesting, seeing more of an insight to his work there. And because it's written by a close friend of Rafa's, you do get the feeling that it's a far truer insight into how he works and what sort of person Rafa is, than you get in Mr Ballague's book.

 

So basically, both are well worth reading, but Llorets was the best one for me.

[Guest Jude]

After having read both books i would also say that Lloret's book is the more informative if you want to see how Rafa operates.Also think that after reading about Rafa's time at Valencia we are now seeing a mirror image in our own Liverpool team as to the one Rafa had with Valencia,quite spooky as to how things seem to be moving along the same lines.

[Guz]

I've seen a short clip of it somewhere, buggered if I can remember where though. BBC Sport may have it.

[Benitez]

After having read both books i would also say that Lloret's book is the more informative if you want to see how Rafa operates.Also think that after reading about Rafa's time at Valencia we are now seeing a mirror image in our own Liverpool team as to the one Rafa had with Valencia,quite spooky as to how things seem to be moving along the same lines.

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I was flickin through LLoret's book over Christmas, and you realise when you go back to it - a few really poignant comments regarding Rafa's dad.

 

There's a bit there saying how his dad was in tears after we won the European Cup. Also there's this bit about how his dad was somewhat jokingly trying to persuade the Valencia chairman to take on his son a long time before he actually went there, at a time where he was struggling through the lower leagues. His dad knew the guy from work contacts, and apprently said to him 'Take my son to Valencia, he's a wizard'

 

So all in all, Lloret's book does give some nice insights to Rafa away from football and his family and all that, which makes it pretty interesting too.

[owenthomas]

@ "he's a wizard".. he's not far wrong like (remember the Sky clip when he made his name appear on the screen!)..

 

just ordered the Lloret book now - thanking you for your views (plus your review on Amazon!)!

[Guest Red in Holland]

He said on his arrival: "I am a very, very proud man today because all the coaches in Spain like to be at the best club. We know Liverpool are one of the most important clubs in the world. I know the history of Liverpool Football Club. It is big, wonderful.

 

"I am young, I want to win a lot of matches and I want to win in the right way. I want the supporters to be proud of the team, of the manager, of the players, of the club. It is a dream to come to one of the best leagues in world, one of the best teams."

 

I remember that. I remember also the sincerity with which he said it.

 

After the trauma of the GH exit. I distinctly remember wanting so much to believe this guy Rafael Benitez. Mourinho came to english football with "I am the Special One".

 

Rafa came to us with that.

 

I consider us blessed

 

RiH

[Guz]

I loved his "I am here to win trophies, not to learn English" line