Thursday, 21 April 2016
Ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez 'was a genius but cold and unfair — I wanted to PUNCH him'
- In his new book, Kop hero Jerzy Dudek lifts the lid on what life was really like under Spaniard who returns to Anfield as the Magpies' manager this weekend
Dudek claims in his book that poor man-management by Benitez almost drove him to violence
Jerzy Dudek was one of the stars of the Miracle of Istanbul, his wobbly legs routine helping Liverpool win the 2005 Champions League final in a penalty shoot-out after coming from 3-0 down at half-time against AC Milan.
That was manager Rafa Benitez’s finest hour with the club. But, ahead of Benitez’s return to Anfield with struggling Newcastle on Saturday, Dudek reveals in his entertaining autobiography why wanted to HIT the Spaniard... and claims he wasn’t the only one.
Jerzy Dudek: A Big Pole In Our Goal (RRP £18.99, £14.99 on sportmediashop.com — ebook also available), published Friday April 22 .
*
Rafa Benitez is truly passionate about the game.
He has a great knowledge of football. He’s not a fool who comes out with theories that are all talk. His problem is that he’s not a great ‘people person’ so always encounters problems when managing a group because he is very cold and hard-faced in how he makes decisions.
He kept a distance between himself and his players – like there was an invisible wall there – but it didn’t stop him from being a genius of a coach.
After the Champions League triumph, I felt he was treating me unfairly, but that’s how Rafa operated. He did everything so coldly, almost inhumanely, because he saw things as business.
He had to protect his interests, but it was hard to be on the receiving end of it. when I returned to Melwood I had a new rival - Jose ‘Pepe’ Reina, a Spanish international, had been signed from Villarreal for a reported £6million.
I wasn’t happy and went straight in to see Benitez, who tried to calm me down.
“It doesn’t mean that I’ll let you go."
“You don’t buy a player for so much money to leave him on the bench... Should I look for a new club or will you take care of selling me?”
“Okay, let’s wait for serious offers. Then we’ll start to talk money. We’ll find a good solution for everybody.”
I loved being at Liverpool, but Benitez clearly didn’t want me.
I’d been the hero in Istanbul so could I now just be a fire-fighter who waits for the moment when a fire needs fighting?
If this was Poland, the media and fans would have demanded that I play, but I didn’t have that support in England.
Then rumours started that I was earning between £60,000-70,000 per week and Benitez wanted me off the wage bill.
I wondered if someone had made this story up to try and turn the Liverpool supporters against me. I was confused, so I spoke about what Benitez was up to.
The main interest was from FC Cologne, so I told Benitez I wanted to go there.
He said it would be a good move for me, adding: “We’ll definitely help you, we’ll do whatever it takes to make a deal.”
The negotiations started. I was in touch with Cologne regularly and they told me Benitez wouldn’t speak to them. I got more and more frustrated with him until transfer deadline day when I finally boiled over.
As soon as training had finished, I stormed over to him and ripped my gloves off in an aggressive manner. I was so angry that the lads said later the aggression was pouring out of me. I raised my voice.
The lads could see I was fuming, so all hung around to see what would happen — footballers love seeing a bit of confrontation on the training ground!
I was furious with him, absolutely fuming, and in my head I could hear a devilish voice saying ‘Punch him in the face – punch him in the face and he’ll let you go to Germany’.
To be completely honest, I genuinely considered punching Rafa in the face. Then the consequences of doing so flashed through my mind. Would he let me go? Or would it just lead to a massive media scandal? Surely I couldn’t stay if I gave him a smack?
I don’t know how, but I managed to stop myself.
Punching a Liverpool manager who had won the European Cup only a few months earlier wouldn’t have looked too good on the CV, I guess, but I was still angry.
“You said you’d help me. You said you’d do everything to get a deal through. You didn’t mean it. You promised you would help me but now I have a concrete offer you’ve not kept your word.”
As I walked off towards the dressing room, Stevie walked alongside me.
“You wanted to punch him, didn’t you, lad? You really wanted to f***ing punch him...”
I explained to the lads in the dressing room how he’d promised to help me move but was now going back on what he said.
I worked under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid and while no such thing as an ideal coach exists you’d be close to finding it if you combined his and Rafa’s qualities.
Mourinho had more respect in the dressing room because he was a more personable character who spoke to his players as people.
It was a different philosophy, but one that helped players to accept his demands in training more than they did from Benitez.
Most of the lads didn’t like it and Stevie was one of them.
I knew he had some issues with Rafa and twice it looked like he might leave Liverpool for Chelsea.
Rafa wanted him to leave – I think he thought he could buy three or four players with the money – but, deep down, Stevie didn’t want to go.
I know that the relationship between Stevie and Rafa was never the same afterwards and because Benitez had played games with me regarding a potential transfer I was on Stevie’s side, even if I decided not to say anything publicly.
Stevie once said to me that it would have been great if Mourinho could have taken over at Anfield when Rafa left.
I think it was after my leaving, when I came to Liverpool as a Real Madrid player in the Champions League. I remember those words well, even if it was just a casual conversation.
I think Liverpool could have improved under Mourinho. Stevie and Jose had a mutual respect.
It’s a pity that Stevie didn’t come to Real.
In my opinion, that move would have extended his career at the top level for at least two years and he would have learned even more by playing for Mourinho.
Mirror
Azam nguvu zote Ligi Kuu, Kombe la Shirikisho
BAADA ya kutupwa nje ya michuano ya Kombe la Shirikisho barani Afrika na Esperance ya Tunisia, kikosi cha Azam kimesema kwa sasa kinaelekeza nguvu zake kwenye michuano ya Ligi Kuu Tanzania Bara na ile ya Kombe la Shirikisho (FA).
Mabingwa hao wa Klabu Bingwa Afrika Mashariki na Kati, Azam FC, walijikuta wakitolewa na Esperance katika michuano hiyo ya Kombe la Shirikisho Afrika kwa jumla ya mabao 4-2, baada ya juzi usiku kukubali kichapo cha mabao 3-0.
Azam FC wakicheza bila ya Pascal Wawa, Kipre Tchetche na Jean Batista Mugiraneza, walijikuta wanaruhusu mabao hayo 3-0 katika kipindi cha pili na kutolewa kwa matokeo ya jumla ya bao 4-2 kwani mchezo wa kwanza uliochezwa katika Uwanja wa Azam Complex, Chamazi jijini Dar es Salaam, Wanalambalamba hao walifanikiwa kuibuka na ushindi wa mabao 2-1.
Nahodha msaidizi wa kikosi hicho, Himid Mao, amewaambia mashabiki wao kuwa kwa sasa nguvu zao zote wanahamishia katika Ligi Kuu ya Vodacom Tanzania Bara (VPL) na Kombe la Shirikisho (Azam Sports Federation Cup) akiwaahidi kuwa watapambana kuchukua makombe yote hayo mawili.
“Matokeo yamewasikitisha watu wengi hata sisi wachezaji, lakini wanatakiwa wajue Azam FC ni timu changa sana na kwa sasa tunapiga hatua kubwa lakini hii haitufanyi tuvimbe vichwa kwani bado tuna deni, hivyo nafikiri inabidi tufanye kitu kikubwa zaidi kuweza kusogea mbele.
“Mashabiki waendelee kutupa sapoti kwani bado ligi ipo, FA pia ipo hivyo tutajitahidi kuweza kuchukua makombe yote hayo,” alisema.
Kikosi hicho kinatarajiwa kuwasili nchini leo ambapo kitakwenda mkoani Shinyanga kucheza na Mwadui FC mchezo wa nusu fainali michuano ya Kombe la Shirikisho (FA).
Azam FC iliyopanda Ligi Kuu miaka nane iliyopita, msimu huu ilikuwa ikishiriki kwa mara ya nne michuano ya Afrika hadi inafika raundi hiyo ilifanikiwa kuwatoa Bidvest Wits ya Afrika Kusini kwa jumla ya mabao 7-3.
Na Ezekiel Tendwa / Bingwa
The 19 richest football clubs in the world
19. Inter Milan (Italy)
2014/15 Revenue: €164.8 million
(£125.5 million; $187 million)
We begin with Inter Milan, not to be confused with its rival AC Milan, who it shares the 80,000 capacity San Siro Stadium with. Down two places from the season before, the club has the lowest matchday revenue of any club on the list, but sponsorship from Nike and Pirelli continues to bring in the money. A failure to qualify for any European championships in 2015/16 will hurt TV revenues.
18. Everton (UK)
2014/15 Revenue: €165 million
(£130 million; $188 million)
Liverpool's neighbour and rival, Everton are having a disappointing season in the Premier League but fare well when it comes to money. Farhad Moshiri, a British Iranian businessman, has a 49% stake in the club. Broadcast rights, which accounts for 69% of the club's revenue, rose to £86.8 million last season, while ticket sales are at a ten year high.
17. Newcastle United (UK)
2014/15 Revenue: €169 million
(£133 million; $192 million)
Newcaslte has a big fanbase, which means big money, but it stands to lose a chunk of that if it gets relegated from the Premier League this season. The club is owned by British billionaire Mike Ashley, who is disliked by fans, and the Sports Direct owner has suggested he'd like to sell up when wins its next trophy.
16. AS Roma (Italy)
2014/15 Revenue: €180 million
(£142 million; $205 million)
AS Roma is the fifth most supported club in football mad Italy, so the club has deep pockets. As it happens, it's using that money to build a new stadium this year, said to be inspired by the Colosseum.
15. Atlético Madrid (Spain)
2014/15 Revenue: €187 million
(£148 million; $213 million)
Another Club that's moving to a new, bigger stadium this year, Atletico Madrid enjoys royal patronage: Felipe VI, the current king of Spain, has been the honorary president of the club since 2003. Barcelona's recent dramatic drop off in form has also left Atletico in with a chance of winning La Liga this season.
14. AC Milan (Italy)
2014/15 Revenue: €199 million
(£157 million; $226 million)
Down two places from last year, AC Milan is one of many clubs on the list with a high profile majority shareholder — in this instance Italy's former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Matchday revenue in 2014/15 was €2.6 million lower than the previous year due to the club playing fewer home games, while the absence of any UEFA presence saw a drop in TV revenue.
13. Schalke 04 (Germany)
2014/15 Revenue: €220 million
(£174 million; $250 million)
Up one place from the season before, the "04" comes from when the club was founded in 1904 in case you were wondering. It has a well-known rivalry with German neighbours Borussia Dortmund, who we'll be seeing later on. Schalke have jumped on football's international appeal, with over 20 club media channels and region specific content in five languages, that helps shore up revenue from overseas.
12. Tottenham Hotspur (UK)
2014/15 Revenue: €256 million
(£202 million; $291 million)
Tottenham has become a serious contender against Leicester FC for the Premier League title this season, but it was already raking it in last year thanks to a superb half decade. Taking pride of place as one of the world's oldest clubs — founded in 1882 — it's currently owned by the English National Investment Company.
11. Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
2014/15 Revenue: €281 million
(£222 million; $320 million)
Borussia Dortmund is massively rich, but it's also charitable: ticket sales from a 2011 game and €1 million from Dortmund's main sponsor Evonik went to Japanese earthquake and tsunami victims.
10. Juventus (Italy)
2014/15 Revenue: €324 million
(£256 million; $369 million)
Founded 1897 a group of young Torinese students, it's safe to say Juventus became bigger than any of them could have imagined. It's the best-supported football club in Italy, with over 12 million supporters — approximately 29% of the total Italian football fanbase.
9. Liverpool (UK)
2014/15 Revenue: €392 million
(£310 million; $446 million)
Despite mixed success over the last few seasons, Liverpool fans are in an upbeat mood thanks to their charismatic new manager Jurgen Klopp. The Merseyside club are also in with a shout of winning the Europa League this year. The club is one of a number of Premier League teams to have caught the eye of American investors: at present, it's owned by the Fenway Sports Group, who also own the Boston Red Sox baseball team.
8. Chelsea (UK)
2014/15 Revenue: €420 million
(£332 million; $478 million)
London club Chelsea has had a dreadful season, which resulted in the firing of manager Jose Mourinho, but at least its revenues are sky high, thanks in part to the club lifting the Premier League trophy last season. Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003 and his continued investment has (mostly) kept fans happy since.
7. Arsenal (UK)
2014/15 Revenue: €436 million
(£344 million; $496 million)
London club Arsenal boasts the fifth largest fanbase in the world on social media and is worth over $1.3 billion according to Forbes magazine. A lot of its success is down to its manager Arsene Wenger, who has served the club for almost two decades.
6. Manchester City (UK)
2014/15 Revenue: €464 million
(£366 million; $$528 million)
Winners of the Premier League title in 2012 and 2014, Man City is owned by investors of the Abu Dhabi United Group who are seeking to turn the club into a dominant force in European football. Premiership glory looks set to elude the team this season, but there's always next year.
5. Bayern Munich (Germany)
2014/15 Revenue: €474 million
(£374 million; $539 million)
Down two places from last year, Bayern Munich continues to rake it in. The club counts former players Hopfner and Rummenigge as its President and Chairman respectively, who took them to championship glory last season. Matchday revenue grew marginally to €89.8 million, as average league attendances rose to 72,882 following approval to increase the capacity of the Allianz Arena to just over 75,000
4. Paris Saint-Germain (France)
2014/15 Revenue: €481 million
(£380 million; $547 million)
France's only club on the list is also one of the wealthiest in the world. It's currently owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, which has ploughed $340 million into the club since 2012, allowing it to buy some of the world's most expensive players, build its brand, and cement its league success.
3. Manchester United (UK)
2014/15 Revenue: €520 million
(£411 million; $592 million)
Fans may be missing the Alex Ferguson-led glory days, but the global brand of Manchester United still gave it the biggest revenues of any English club in the 2014/15 season. It's also one of the few clubs in the world to have gone public, debuting on the New York stock exchange in 2012.
2. FC Barcelona (Spain)
2014/15 Revenue: €561 million
(£443 million; $638 million)
Home of Lionel Messi — the world's best player in many people's eyes — Barcelona rises two places from the previous season. Its ownership structure is something of a cooperative: it is not possible to purchase shares in the club, but only membership. As of 2016, the club has 140,000 members.
1. Real Madrid (Spain)
2014/15 Revenue: €577 million
(£456 million; $657 million)
The biggest money making team of last season was voted by FIFA as the European club of the 20th century, and its fortunes are only getting better this millennium. Real Madrid has some of the world's most expensive players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, but its revenue to wage ratio is in good health thanks to high ticket, shirt, and TV rights sales. Expect it to be number one for many years to come.
Rafu yamwondoa Kessy Simba
- Safari ya Azam, Yanga yanukia
- Tippo adai watafanya biashara na timu yoyote
RAFU mbaya aliyoicheza beki mahiri wa Simba, Hassan Kessy dhidi ya mchezaji wa Toto African, Edward Christopher, imemsababishia kutemwa kuitumikia timu yake hiyo hadi mwisho wa msimu huu.
Kessy alimchezea rafu Christopher kwenye mchezo wao wa Ligi Kuu mwishoni mwa wiki iliyopita na kusababisha kutolewa nje kwa kadi nyekundu, huku uongozi wa Simba ukimuongezea adhabu ya kukosa michezo yote iliyobaki katika Ligi Kuu Tanzania Bara.
Mbali na kusimamishwa kwa mchezaji huyo, tayari kuna tetesi za kuikacha klabu hiyo na kujiunga na kati ya klabu ya matajiri wa Bongo, Azam au Watoto wa Jangwani, Yanga, licha ya tetesi hizo kutokuwekwa wazi.
Inadaiwa timu hizo Azam na Yanga zilikuwa zinasubiri kumalizika kwa michezo yao ya kimataifa ya marudiano kati ya timu za Esperance na Kombe la Shirikisho na Al Ahly mchezo wa Ligi ya Mabingwa Afrika, ili zianze mchakato wa kumnasa beki huyo ambaye mkataba wake unaisha mwezi Juni.
Akizungumza na MTANZANIA jana, Kessy alisema bado uongozi haujampa taarifa zozote za kusimamishwa kwake.
“Sijapewa taarifa yoyote, lakini kama wameamua kunipa adhabu sawa nitaitumikia kwa kuwa bado ni mchezaji wao na bado nina mkataba nao, ila nikimaliza mkataba wangu mwezi wa sita meneja wangu ataamua kama nitabaki au nitaondoka,” alisema.
Kwa upande wa meneja wake Athuman Tippo, alisema wamepokea maamuzi ya uongozi huo kumsimamisha mchezaji wake na ataitumikia adhabu hiyo kama ilivyoamuliwa kwa kuwa ni mwajiriwa wao.
“Ataitumikia adhabu yake hadi atakapomaliza mkataba, lakini bado tunaendelea kusubiri adhabu watakayompa Vicent Angban na wasipofanya hivyo tutaendelea na msimamo wetu wa kuchukua hatua zaidi, tutakaa na mwanasheria na kupanga nini tufanye baada ya kipa huyo kujichukulia sheria mkononi kumpiga Kessy,” alisema.
Alisema hadi sasa bado hawajafanya mazungumzo na timu yoyote nyingine, lakini Kessy akimaliza mkataba wake atakuwa huru hivyo watafanya biashara na timu yoyote itakayomtaka.
Kessy jana alitangazwa na Mkuu wa Idara ya Habari na Mawasiliano wa Simba, Haji Manara, kuwa atakosa michezo yote iliyobaki katika ligi, akieleza alionekana kucheza rafu mbaya ambayo ingeweza kumsababishia kifo mchezaji huyo wa Toto.
“Kessy ameihujumu timu kwenye mchezo huo kwa rafu mbaya aliyoicheza, iliyosababisha kupewa kadi nyekundu kwani hakuwa na sababu ya kucheza vile alionekana kabisa ameinua mguu sijui ni makusudi au bahati mbaya, angeweza kumsababishia hata kifo Edward, hivyo tumeamua kumuongezea adhabu badala ya kukosa mechi mbili kwa kadi aliyopewa atazikosa mechi zote tano,” alisema.
Hata hivyo, mchezaji huyo mbali ya kucheza rafu hiyo iliyomuondoa Simba, alikuwa anaandamwa na jinamizi la kutoaminika tena Simba tangu alipoigharimu klabu yake katika mechi ya mzunguko wa pili wa Ligi Kuu Tanzania Bara, kati ya Simba na Yanga iliyochezwa Februari 20 kwa kuokoa mpira kizembe ambao ulinaswa na mshambuliaji wa Yanga, Donald Ngoma na kufunga bao kirahisi.
Na Mwali Ibrahimu/ Mtanzania
Video : Mafoto
