Rafael Benitez - life and career of one of the best coaches in the world

Rafael Benitez was born on April 16, 1960. Now this famous coach is 55 years old, and for such a period of time he managed to achieve impressive achievements. Well, it's worth briefly talking about his gaming and, of course, coaching career.

Early activity of young years

Rafael Benitez has been fond of football since childhood. As a young boy, he played in many school teams. By the way, among his comrades was Ricardo Gallego, who in the future became a very famous football player. Young Raphael very early demonstrated his potential as a coach and leader. At the age of 13 he took under his watchful eye the children's football team.

At the age of 12 he was admitted to the junior team of Real Madrid. Rafael Benitez showed himself well as a defender. He played stably well, due to what he managed to get to "Castile", which was a farm-club "Real". In addition to his football career, Rafael Benitez also entered the sports faculty of the Madrid Polytechnic University. And he graduated successfully. In 1982 he received a diploma, becoming a specialist in physical education.

Coach career: the beginning

Until 1986, Rafael Benitez was a field player. He changed four clubs. First he played for Castile, then in Guardard, then for Parla and finally for Linares. But at 26 he returned to Madrid "Real" and became part of the coaching staff of the team. In 1986-1987 years. He became coach of FC "Castilla". With this club, he twice took first place in the national championship - in 1987, as well as in 1989.

In 1990, Rafael Benitez, taking control of the youth squad of the "Real", led the team to victory. Then he began to lead it to 19 years, as the post of coach left Jose Antonio Camacho. With this coach the team managed to win two times the Youth Cup of the country. And both times the guys beat their principal opponents in the finals, that is, the guys from the "Barcelona".

During the period of working with boys and boys Rafael Benitez received a coaching independent license. It was in 1989. And in the following, 1990, he studied at a football training camp, which was in Davis (at the University of California).

Years of success

Much can be said about such a coach as Rafael Benitez. The biography of this person abounds with bright facts and details concerning his activities as a leader and teacher. The coach changed a lot of clubs - "Castile", "Valladolid", "Osasuna", "Extremadura", "Tenerife" ... All these teams he coached. But in 2001, Benitez led the "Valencia". Immediately in the first season, he led the team to victory in the championship. This was their first achievement in 31 years.

In 2005, the coach was headed by Liverpool. It was under his leadership that the dramatic match against Milan took place, when the English in the second half of the Champions League final, losing to Rossoneri 3-0, scored in a draw and won the penalty shootout.

In 2010, Benitez became the head of the Milan "Inter". On December 18 of the same year the club under the leadership of the Spaniard won the club world championship. True, with the leadership of "Inter" Rafael did not find a common language and left his post ahead of schedule. But he was immediately invited to his "Chelsea". This team thanks to the work of Benitez won in the European League, defeating "Benfica".

In 2013, the Spaniard led the "Napoli". Benitez led the Italian team to victory in the Cup of Italy. And in 2015, on June 3, the coach moved back to his club. From this moment Rafael Benitez "Real" heads - the team with which he started that playing career, that coaching.

Achievements

Given all of the above, you can guess that the account of Benitez is simply an incredible amount of awards, achievements and titles. And indeed it is. But if about the command, at least something was said, then about the personal - nothing. Well, and it's worth discussing. Rafael Benitez is the holder of the Don Don Balon Prize, the two-time coach of the year according to the UEFA version, and also the five-time coach of the month in the Premier League. In general, this man recruited 22 honorary titles - along with game awards, coaching and personal. And this, I must say, is a worthy indicator. Not surprisingly, under the leadership of this talented coach, all teams reached heights.