- Full Name – Rafael Benítez
- Date of Birth – 16/04/1960 (62years)
- Country of Birth – Spain
- Status – Inactive
Premier League Records
- Premier League Seasons – 11
- Matches – 359
- Wins – 173
- Draws – 86
- Losses 100
- Goals For – 543
- Goals Against – 350
Honours And Awards
7x Manager of the Month
- November – 2005
- December – 2005
- January – 2007
- October – 2008
- March – 2009
- April – 2013
- November – 2018
MANAGER BIOGRAPHY
Rafael Benitez was most recently the manager of Everton having also led Newcastle United, Liverpool and Chelsea in the Premier League.
Having been on Real Madrid’s books as a player, Benitez was troubled with a knee injury before playing in the Spanish lower leagues.
The Spaniard returned to Real Madrid at the age of 26 to take up numerous coaching roles in their youth system before becoming assistant manager.
In 1995, the Madrid-born coach took charge of Real Valladolid and then Osasuna before leading Extremadura to promotion in 1997.
Tenerife was Benitez’s next destination and he guided the club to promotion in 2001, catching the eye of LaLiga side Valencia.
In his three years at the Mestalla, Benitez won LaLiga twice and the UEFA Europa League in his final season.
More silverware would come the way of the Spaniard as he made his first mark in English football in 2004/05.
Liverpool and Benitez would claim a remarkable UEFA Champions League final win over AC Milan in 2005, before lifting the FA Cup the following year.
Milan got the better of Liverpool in a UEFA Champions League final repeat in 2007, while 2008/09 ended with the Merseysiders finishing the Premier League campaign in second place.
Inter Milan came calling in 2010, with Benitez adding the Italian Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup to his impressive CV.
In November 2012, Chelsea announced Benitez as their interim manager until the end of the season. UEFA Europa League glory followed six months later.
Two years at Napoli heralded two more trophies – the Italian Super Cup and Coppa Italia – before Benitez got his chance to lead Real Madrid.
He departed the Spanish giants in January 2016, allowing Newcastle to employ his services in March of that year.
Benitez was unable to prevent relegation from the Premier League but a swift return to the top flight followed as the Magpies secured the Championship title on the final day of the 2016/17 season.
The Magpies finished 10th in 2018/19 and 13th in 2018/19 before Benitez left St James’ Park when his contract expired on 30 June 2019.
Shortly after, the Spaniard joined Chinese side Dalian Professional before departing the club in January 2021.
On 30 June 2021, Everton announced Benitez as Carlo Ancelotti’s replacement at Goodison Park.
He won three of his first four matches, but two victories in the next 15, culminating in a 2-1 loss at Norwich City, led to his departure on 15 January 2022.
