Go, Rafa, Go …and Take the Spaniards with You

Juventus and Liverpool are two proud clubs, forever linked by one of football’s darkest moments – the Heysel Stadium tragedy of 1985. It’s perhaps fitting then that 25 years after that fatal evening, Juventus is throwing Liverpool a lifeline during one of the darkest periods on Merseyside.

Once considered contenders for the Premier League title, Liverpool are now watching qualification for the Champions League slip out of their grasp. Many blame the club’s manager, the Spaniard Rafa Benitez, whose hit-or-miss transfer record and inability to settle on the right starting lineup have been main factors in the club’s struggles in the league year after year.

As it is, Liverpool couldn’t afford to fire the Spanish manager if they wanted to – and Rafa certainly won’t walk away from the rest of his multi-million-pound contract. That is, unless he’s got another job in the wings. And that’s exactly what Juventus are offering. According to reports, the Old Lady of Turin wants to sign Benitez, and they’ve given the Spaniard about 10 days to make up his mind.

If we could whisper into the ear of Liverpool owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, we’d tell them to do everything in their power to make this deal happen. For one simple reason:  Rafa’s Spanish revolution will never work in England. Sure, he’s had a couple of successes, namely Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres. But there have been a lot of flops, too. And if you scan the history books, you’ll discover the problem with Spanish players.  Only three Spanish players have ever won Premier League medals. Can you name them?

Happier times for Benitez and Riera

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