Rafael Benitez is arguably the most popular man on Tyneside after his valiant performances in the Premier League with Newcastle, guiding the Magpies towards safety and masterminding an incredible surge up the standings in the second-half of the campaign.
Vastly experienced from spells with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid, Benitez also excelled earlier in his career with Spanish outfit Valencia – leading the LaLiga side to numerous glories during a dominant spell in the mid-2000’s.
Valencia won two LaLiga titles and the UEFA Cup in 2004 under Benitez’s guidance, before he then moved to Liverpool and won the Champions League, and former defender Curro Torres has given an insight into what it’s likely playing under the Spaniard.
Speaking to LaLiga Lowdown, the former Spain international said:
“Rafa is one of those people who you love or hate. He’ll get the best out of you but it comes at a cost. At a psychological level, a footballer often has to be able and prepared to cope because he’s a very methodical coach.”
“He’s very demanding with his tactical work. I think that one of the things that brought us together in that sense was that I had some good character traits: working hard, being focused and being intelligent on the pitch.”
“And then it’s about having those strokes of luck at key moments, being at the right place at the right time, to be able to make the most of the opportunity.”
