mazembe 2 - 0 internacional

At the time I thought it was innocuous too, but the subsequent results on the pitch prove otherwise. Of course it was probably not solely due to Fact gate, but it must have played a part.

I realise that Benitez needs to speak out against the intense criticism that he's been receiving, but the *immediate* aftermath of a trophy is not the time to do it IMO. It's the timing more than the content that I'm criticising.

Also, nothing wrong with asking for new players...but asking for Inter to change their model (which worked pretty well last year for Mourinho, thanks in part to Guardiola's funding) is again a bit too much. He should learn to adapt to his club and try to change it bit by bit. Not all at once.

I'm not sure he is actually asking to change the model. It is maybe just a bad translation.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jscGp6mODlwwcUwbHdf-XlL8EapQ?docId=CNG.0d88c40a839cc859c748793101909f78.fb1


Embraced by chairman Massimo Moratti at the end, Benitez told reporters: "My relationship with the chairman is good - but I ask the club for help and respect - they did not come up with the goods after what they told me in the summer about (new) signings and so it's not easy.

"There are three possibilities. The first is that they help me and four or five new players come in and make the team even stronger," said Benitez, pointing out that several of his top stars have turned 30.

"The second is to carry on the same as now without a project or planning and get to May (season's end) that way. And the third is to speak with my agent," he said, implying that if the club were dissatisfied with him they should find someone else.

He insisted: "My relationship with the club is good - but I am a professional of 25 years standing in football and I want respect and assistance."

fcb wrote:At the time I thought it was innocuous too, but the subsequent results on the pitch prove otherwise. Of course it was probably not solely due to Fact gate, but it must have played a part.

Are you Richard Keys ?

Why would anyone think that played a part ?

Difficult to take instructions from and feel inspired by a man who has humiliated himself by losing control and making a load of demonstrably untrue statements on international TV.

fcb wrote:

COTR wrote:"I spoke with the president at the beginning of the season" continued the Nerazzurri coach, "and we will talk again, but today is a day of celebrations. I have been polite, I did my work and I received the criticism. But now there is the need for some support and by support I mean transfers. Now I say that if Inter want Rafa Benitez as their coach he needs to have a support one hundred per cent, control over everything that is going on. That way, later, there won't be just one culprit. We will talk of this again."


Doubt this will result in the outcome Rafa is looking for

Very foolish from Rafa. Shows again (after "FACT"-gate) that he's clueless about the PR side of being a manager. Immediately after winning a big trophy, he decides to give an ultimatum to his president?

And even worse, he wants "full control", something even Mourinho didn't get at Inter, a club where they employ a technical director. What does Rafa think, that Moratti wants Robbie Keanes and Ryan Babels at Inter?

Exactly... he is smoking something stupid if he thinks he will have anywhere near 100% control over the "support"... that is NOT how Inter work. And to be honest, if I had to choose between Benitez & Branca for spending Inter's transfer budget, it would be a no-brainer. And after Moratti has shown remarkable patience on Rafa when everyone was calling for his head, giving an ultimatum at this point is just silly....

That said, I do hope Inter invest over this winter. Benitez clearly wants to change the way our team plays, and Inter must buy 2-3 players who will allow Benitez to express himself. Most importantly, we need to account for Samuel's season ending (career-ending?) injury... Ranocchia is probably the best bet. Then we may been a wingers or two... Sanchez is being talked about... Bale is probably out of our budget at the mo... Vargas maybe? Or one for the future - Schelotto? Maybe some other buys for the future like Luc Castaignos...

We have had too many injuries, and our team is not getting any younger... so 2-3 players need to be brought in...

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

fcb wrote:At the time I thought it was innocuous too, but the subsequent results on the pitch prove otherwise. Of course it was probably not solely due to Fact gate, but it must have played a part.

Are you Richard Keys ?

Why would anyone think that played a part ?

IIRC this was before the Stoke game that they drew, wasn't it? Rafa already had a cold relationship with the press...as soon as the result on the pitch was negative, they all went "ooooh Rafa's lost it, that's his Keegan moment", etc. etc. Basically his attempt at mind games backfired, creating more pressure and negativity and doubt around their title run than there was before.

fcb wrote:

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

fcb wrote:At the time I thought it was innocuous too, but the subsequent results on the pitch prove otherwise. Of course it was probably not solely due to Fact gate, but it must have played a part.

Are you Richard Keys ?

Why would anyone think that played a part ?

IIRC this was before the Stoke game that they drew, wasn't it? Rafa already had a cold relationship with the press...as soon as the result on the pitch was negative, they all went "ooooh Rafa's lost it, that's his Keegan moment", etc. etc. Basically his attempt at mind games backfired, creating more pressure and negativity and doubt around their title run than there was before.

It was.

Not a bad result - United were 0-0 at Stoke until a nailed on red wasn't given to a United player and then one was given to a Stoke player allowing United to grab a late win 11 v 10.

That's what makes the difference.

Makes sense If a manager does not get 100% support from the boss then you are fighting a losing battle from the beginning. He should get what he needs when he needs. Unless of course they do not have the money then you cannot expect it, in that case do not go to the club. Brian Clough ruled where ever he went and always was larger than the club even if they did not like it the smart clubs turned out with a winning team the losers could not buy in stayed losers. Benitez is no Mourinho and the latter is closest to Cloughie Some clubs can never sell over lock stock and barrel to a manager they do not need to they would rather screw the fans first.