By Shaun Dowling
It is not really surprising that the xenophobilic and anti-scouse press core have not even mentioned Rafael Benitez for the post of England manager. Rafa is not an Anglophile but from his behavior since leaving LFC seems more like a ‘scouseaphile’. This is the only reason why he hasn’t even been thought of in any of the different papers and websites over the last few days. It is laughable that Hodgson got more lines written about him that our ex-coach.
Why would Rafa be good to England? He is a super tactician, a strategist who knows how to get teams who might not have the best players in the world at least to a semifinal. This is beyond dispute in my book. He did is many times with LFC and with the talent of the best English players at his dispense, he would be a great manager to bring on at least in the short term.
There is talk that the FA want someone for the Euro’s and then after place someone on a more permanent basis could be a strong reason why an out of work internationally experienced manager like Benitez could fit in. He knows the English game and having competed at the highest level of the Champions League and the Premiership he has the experience. The press may actually tolerate his presence if he is asked to get the country out of the hole they have placed themselves in. He could be given a little slack at least.
There is also the FA criteria that for the long term the new coach is someone who brings on youth. Rafa’s CV is rich in this aspect having re-organised the Academy and Liverpool now tasting the fruits of his lead with players like Kelly and Spearing being an integral part of the first team. This long-term view would be more difficult as criticism would be thrown at him left, right and center, but if he won the Euros they would have to shut up.
The media may hate it if he is appointed and would treat him with the distain that they show every non-British coach and manager. Compared to ‘Arry’ Redknapp, Rafa is miles ahead on international experience and winning big trophies. He is sitting at home working hard to help the people in the local community and just taking in football.
For the short-term, England could do with his talent. It is the logical choice, no?