Rafael Benítez

Rafael Benítez is a former football player and football manager. Benitez started playing football at the Real Madrid Aficionados, later moving to Castilla CF. His career in professional football was curtailed by a trauma and after several seasons with minor team Parla and Linares he finished playing at the age of 26. After retiring he joined Real Madrid coaching team.

In 1986 he accepted the offer to coach Castilla B. Subsequently he managed Real Madrid Youth B, Real Valladolid, Osasuna and CD Tenerife, though it was his spell in Valencia that brought him first success as the head coach. He was invited to take managerial position in 2001 and under his helm the side claimed two La Liga titles and the UEFA Cup in the season 2003/2004, defeating in the final Marseille 2–0.

In 2004 Benitez moved to England accepting the offer to head Liverpool. The Reds did not enjoy much success on the domestic arena during his inaugural season, but in the Champions League Liverpool outplayed Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Juventus and reached the final, where they famously came back from 3 goal deficit and beaten Milan in the penalty shoot-out. Later the team claimed the FA Cup and became one of the one of the main contenders for the Premier League title. Despite reaching the second UEFA Cup final and finishing second in the League, the relations between Benitez and the new owners of the team were strained and tense and the Spaniard finally decided to leave the club.

In 2010 he started coaching Internazionale, winning the Italian Super Cup within weeks after his introduction ot the team. Inter also won the Club World Cup, yet the results in the Serie A and the Champions League were disappointing and on 23 December Benitez left his post.

Late in 2012 the Spaniard was invited to replace Roberto Di Matteo at Chelsea. Strongly disrespected by Chelsea supporters Benitez managed to finish third in the Premier League and clinched the Europa League title. After that successful spell with the English team he replaced Walter Mazzarri at Napoli.