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The former Valencia, Liverpool, Inter and Real Madrid boss has revealed the finest player to have played under him.
Rafael Benitez has ignored Cristiano Ronaldo when discussing the best player he has ever managed.
Benitez snubs Ronaldo
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The former Valencia, Liverpool and Inter boss had a short-lived spell in the Spanish capital from June 2015 to January 2016, managing Ronaldo for the first half of the 2015-16 campaign.
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Despite the time spent with the Portuguese icon at Real Madrid, Benitez does not Ronaldo is the best player to have played under him.
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Benitez recognises his finest player
The Spanish coach named Steven Gerrard as the best player he has coached, with the experienced manager coaching the former midfielder for six years from 2004 to 2010.
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The peak of their six years together was the 2005 Champions League final success in Istanbul against AC Milan, where the Reds came from 3-0 down at half-time to force extra time and eventually penalties, sealing a historic success.
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Speaking on The Overlap, the 64-year-old explained the strengths and weaknesses of the retired England midfielder.
“Stevie is the best player I have ever coached,” said the Benitez. “When I was in Madrid I couldn’t say that, now I can say that. It’s very clear; he had everything.
“What was missing was the tactical knowledge that a foreign player has. He was so good, he had so much energy that he could get into the box, run at a full-back, do whatever he needed to do.
“But he needed to understand the position. With Alonso, he could be fine but Alonso is not the quickest, so we had gaps when he went forward. I didn’t know his best position.”
Benitez has not returned to management since leaving Celta Vigo in March 2024.
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