Napoleon’s famous quote about preferring lucky generals to clever ones has been directed at Rafael Benitez before.
Some critics have used the ‘lucky boss’ argument to suggest that fortune has somehow favoured his haul of two La Liga titles, a UEFA Cup, an FA Cup and a Champions League.
They even claim that because his two Liverpool trophies came via the lottery of a penalty shoot-out, they are somehow devalued.
Nonsense, of course.
I prefer Thomas Jefferson’s philosophy: “A bit of luck and government are good, but you’d be a fool to trust in either of them.”
But there’s no doubt that this week Rafael Benitez has got lucky.
Just as Liverpool’s roller coaster season reached the dizzying height of a home win over Spurs, then took another sickening lurch downwards at Molineux, Italian newspaper La Stampa announced Juventus’ desire to lure the Spanish manager to Turin.
A little reminder of Rafa’s stock throughout Europe – Real Madrid have tried to lure him three times to the Bernabeu – doesn’t do his standing any harm amongst wavering Reds fans.
While American owners who know next to nothing about ‘soccer’ surely can’t fail to be impressed.
Don’t for a second think the link has somehow been stage-managed. La Stampa is owned by the Agnelli family, who also own Juve.
If Marca is the Spanish media mouthpiece for Real Madrid, La Stampa is the Italian equivalent.
So should Reds fans be concerned or offering to carry Senor Benitez’s bags to JLA?
There’s no doubt that something, somewhere has gone horribly wrong at Anfield this season – and it’s not just a question of swapping an injured Italian for a Spanish playmaker.
But it’s hardly irretrievable.
Liverpool are still well placed for a fourth place finish, still have the best striker in Europe to come back and still have England’s first choice right-back to return.
They also have a manager who wants to prolong his stay as Liverpool manager until this summer and far beyond.
Managerial stability is a crucial quality in a successful football club, and Liverpool are lucky that despite their boardroom upheaval, they have a manager who wants to sick around.
In football, you make your own luck – and Benitez has made plenty of his own.
Which is why clubs of Juventus’ stature want him.
Is Rafa Benitez a good manager or a lucky one?
I’d suggest he’s both – which makes Liverpool lucky to have him.
Some critics have used the ‘lucky boss’ argument to suggest that fortune has somehow favoured his haul of two La Liga titles, a UEFA Cup, an FA Cup and a Champions League.
They even claim that because his two Liverpool trophies came via the lottery of a penalty shoot-out, they are somehow devalued.
Nonsense, of course.
I prefer Thomas Jefferson’s philosophy: “A bit of luck and government are good, but you’d be a fool to trust in either of them.”
But there’s no doubt that this week Rafael Benitez has got lucky.
Just as Liverpool’s roller coaster season reached the dizzying height of a home win over Spurs, then took another sickening lurch downwards at Molineux, Italian newspaper La Stampa announced Juventus’ desire to lure the Spanish manager to Turin.
A little reminder of Rafa’s stock throughout Europe – Real Madrid have tried to lure him three times to the Bernabeu – doesn’t do his standing any harm amongst wavering Reds fans.
While American owners who know next to nothing about ‘soccer’ surely can’t fail to be impressed.
Don’t for a second think the link has somehow been stage-managed. La Stampa is owned by the Agnelli family, who also own Juve.
If Marca is the Spanish media mouthpiece for Real Madrid, La Stampa is the Italian equivalent.
So should Reds fans be concerned or offering to carry Senor Benitez’s bags to JLA?
There’s no doubt that something, somewhere has gone horribly wrong at Anfield this season – and it’s not just a question of swapping an injured Italian for a Spanish playmaker.
But it’s hardly irretrievable.
Liverpool are still well placed for a fourth place finish, still have the best striker in Europe to come back and still have England’s first choice right-back to return.
They also have a manager who wants to prolong his stay as Liverpool manager until this summer and far beyond.
Managerial stability is a crucial quality in a successful football club, and Liverpool are lucky that despite their boardroom upheaval, they have a manager who wants to sick around.
In football, you make your own luck – and Benitez has made plenty of his own.
Which is why clubs of Juventus’ stature want him.
Is Rafa Benitez a good manager or a lucky one?
I’d suggest he’s both – which makes Liverpool lucky to have him.
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