Ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League encounter with Real Madrid, TF90M’s Sunit Thakurta takes a look at how the media may have jeopardized Rafael Benitez’ chance of success.
One has to feel really sorry for Rafael Benitez as the Spaniard’s future is always under severe media surveillance. The Liverpool manager has a knack of taking on the press with an unorthodox approach which somewhere down the line has the ability to rough up some genuine feathers in the British media setup. His rebuke towards the press when asked about a possible job back in his home country to manage Real Madrid has forced the press to hit back at the former Valencia coach. Yet I do feel that Rafa has been a little unlucky when it comes to interacting with the media.
His public spat with Liverpool owners set the trend for a tumultuous media relationship that has dragged on to this day with Mr. Benitez in a retaliatory mood to ward off any English media reports. Now that is understandable for an under pressure man like Benitez who since the takeover of Liverpool by American owners has been under serious media scrutiny over his seemingly unsettled future at Anfield. The latest ‘Real Madrid’ link comes as no surprise as Benitez is seemingly getting frustrated with the wishes of the boardroom.
The Reds manager was so furious when asked about a possible move to the Spanish capital that he was quoted as saying, “If I say that Real Madrid would be the icing on the cake for my career, people will say I want to leave Liverpool. If I say it would not be, then it looks like I am showing a lack of respect to Madrid. The right thing to say, and the truth, is that I am not thinking about leaving and I hope to be here for a long time. But, of course, Real Madrid would be the perfect ending to anyone’s career although my career is not coming to an end yet.”
The more Benitez reacts to an overzealous media, the greater will be the impact on his team chasing a resurgent Manchester United in the Premier League. Already knocked out of the FA Cup, the Merseysiders know they cannot afford to slip up in the league. With a Champions League clash against Real Madrid awaiting, things are not looking as bright for the Anfield faithful as the season wears on. And when results turn bad the reports and the rumours follow on the back pages.
For once let the Spaniard do his job freely, his irritation at press conferences are having a profound effect on the club’s prospects and it is regrettable that the Liverpool board is not doing enough to come and speak for the Champions League winning manager and dismiss all the rumours surrounding Rafa’s future at the club.
Maybe, after all, something is wrong within the club.
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