Rafael Benitez has claimed ‘everything changed’ at Liverpool last season and that he will return to the city one day.
The Spaniard left Anfield by mutual consent earlier this month after a disappointing campaign in which his team finished seventh in the Premier League and failed to qualify for the Champions League just a year after narrowly missing out on the league title.
Reflecting on his six years on Merseyside, the new Inter Milan manager claims his final year at Anfield was made difficult due to changes of personnel at the club.
“This year everything changed from the beginning,” said Benitez.
“The people in the club changed and then the approach was different.
“Clearly there was the question of controlling the money we could or couldn’t spend. From the beginning of the season everything was different to in the past. We were so close to winning the title the season before. Everybody was expecting us to do something more. But we had problems from the beginning with injuries and performances. That led to a bit of frustration and you could see the atmosphere at the club was different at the end of the season.
“Now, during the summer, you can see the fans are not very happy.
“I enjoyed the first five years especially but the last year was more difficult. But the memories after six years have been really good overall.”
Despite a strained relationship with the club’s owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, Benitez describes his sadness at his departure and paid tribute to the Liverpool supporters.
“I was really sad to leave Liverpool,” said the 50-year-old. “It’s really sad but you have to move forward. I always say to my family that you cannot stay talking too much, or complain too much.
“The people of Liverpool are fighters and I came here fighting from the beginning until the end. I was really pleased at Liverpool where the fans were amazing. Now I have to think about the future. I must move forward and do the best for my new club.”
As Liverpool faltered last season, Benitez provided the guarantee of a top four finish. It was a promise he could not keep and the former Valencia boss admits to making mistakes during his time at the club.
“Every manager can make mistakes,” he says. “We know we made some mistakes. But if you analyse them in the context of the decision, sometimes you have to do these things.
“For example, if you play two holding midfielders maybe it’s because you don’t have the offensive midfielders you need.
“Some journalists like to analyse but don’t always know exactly what’s going on. It’s difficult to have to explain every single day. But all managers make mistakes and will continue to do so in the future.”
Benitez always maintained his family were settled in England and has said he intends to keep their home on the Wirral.
“I can guarantee one thing,” he finished. “I will not sell my house. It is our home here.
“We will come back. I don’t know when, but we will come back for sure.”
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