 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rafael Benítez Maudes | ||
| Date of birth | 16 April 1960 | ||
| Place of birth | Madrid, Spain | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Playing position | Sweeper | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Internazionale (Manager) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 197?– | Real Madrid Aficionados | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1974–1981 | Castilla CF | 247 | (7) |
| 1981–1985 | Parla | 124 | (8) |
| 1985–1986 | Linares | 34 | (7) |
| Total | 405 | (22) | |
| National team | |||
| 1979–1981 | Spain Universities XI | 5 | (?) |
Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudes (born 16 April 1960) is a Spanish football manager and former player, currently in charge of Internazionale having replaced José Mourinho in June 2010.
Born in Madrid, Benítez played football throughout his youth and joined the Real Madrid academy. He mixed his university studies with his football career at lower division Spanish teams. He joined Real Madrid's coaching staff at the age of 26, going on to work as the under 19 and reserve team coach, and assistant manager for the senior team. Benítez moved away from Real Madrid but management spells at Real Valladolid and Osasuna were short-lived and unsuccessful.
Benítez guided Segunda División side Extremadura back to the Primera División in his first season in 1997, but the team was relegated the following season. He left the club, taking a brief break from football before returning to coach Tenerife in 2000. Benítez was appointed coach of Valencia and he proved himself to be amongst the top Spanish managers by winning La Liga in the 2001–02 season—Don Balón and El País named him Manager of the Year. In 2004, another league title and a UEFA Cup victory were added. However, a disagreement between Benítez and the club director over team investment caused the Spaniard to switch to
English Premier League club Liverpool.
Benítez was a high-achiever in his first season as he guided Liverpool to victory in the UEFA Champions League, the highest honour in European club football. In the following three seasons he won the FA Cup, amongst other honours, and reached the 2007 Champions League Final, but remained unable to win the Premier League, with Liverpool's best performance under Benítez a second place finish in 2008–09.
(source:wikipedia)
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