Rafa Benitez
Rafa Benitez
Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudesis a Spanish football coach currently managing Newcastle United. He is the only manager in history to have won the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup...
decisions difficult possibly
This had been possibly one of the most difficult decisions I have had to take in my sporting career,
hard injury picked played steven whether
It is hard to say whether Steven would have picked up his injury if he hadn't played so many games, you just don't know.
supporters
I was with our supporters at the end. I could see him but he didn't want to.
bad balance high
He's got high energy, always working and he's not bad with the ball. I think he can give us balance in midfield.
good won
He's had two good years with Valencia where he has won trophies. I know him well and he's a very good player.
asking compact defense good looked needed people score
We looked organized, compact in defense and scored two good goals. People said we needed to score and we managed that ... I think we did all the things people are asking of us.
beat cup good reach teams win
If you are going to win the FA Cup then you must first beat good teams to reach the final.
fit injury last member problems season squad stay
He was unfortunate last season because he had so many injury problems, but if he can stay fit then he will be an important member of our squad this year.
attacking best experience gives goal goals loves score signed wealth
He hasn't been signed because he loves the club. He's been signed because he's one of the best goal scorers ever to play in the Premiership and he can score goals for us right now. He's got a wealth of experience and he gives us more attacking options.
decide depends fit full hope physical session training whether
He did a full training session and the day after he was injured. Now I hope that he will be fit again. It depends on his physical condition. We will decide whether he can play or not.
league priority thinking
Their priority will be the league. They will be thinking about the league for sure.
alex champions changes letter praising remember sent sir won
I remember Sir Alex sent me a letter of congratulation when we won the Champions League, praising the tactical changes we made at half-time.
champions clearer european hope league maybe
I hope it will be like a European game. It will be better for us. We have a clearer idea in the Champions League and maybe we will have more confidence.
attacks counter lose minutes playing preferred steve tried
I preferred to lose Steve for 80 minutes than for one month. We tried playing second-half counter attacks but we couldn't score.