English Premier League, Managers Speak Out
Benitez Speaks Out Against Hodgson
Former Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez heavily criticized his successor Roy Hodgson, blaming him for the Reds’ poor start to the season. The Inter Milan coach said that if it weren’t for the Englishman, his former side would not have been
in the relegation zone.
Benitez, whose side will take on English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League tonight, spoke out against Hodsgon’s claim that he has banned Kenny Dalglish from the Liverpool training ground.
He told reporters, “Mr Hodgson doesn't understand. Every single press conference is worse than the last one. He's talking about things he doesn't know. I brought back Kenny Dalglish to do a role at the club; it was managing director Christian
Purslow who gave him another role. But Hodgson doesn't know this.”
Benitez was also upset over Hodgson’s suggestion that the squad he had inherited from the Spaniard wasn’t good enough. Benitez felt that Hodgson was unfairly blaming him for Liverpool’s poor start to the new season, which saw them at the
bottom half of the league.
He continued, “Hodgson has to concentrate on the job, try to do his best and not talk about the level of his players. He signed nine new players. I left that Liverpool squad with £10million net spending; I left that squad with £300m value
and 13 internationals.”
Redknapp to Fight the FA
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said he would gladly fight any charges the FA placed on him for his post match comments about the match officials in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United over the weekend.
Match referee Mark Clattenburg had apparently given Tottenham the advantage and goal keeper Heurelho Gomes, thinking that he had been awarded a free kick visibly relaxed, no sooner that he had done that he conceded a goal.
Redkanpp claimed that it was Clattenburg who was responsible for the goal and that it should never have been allowed to stand. The Spurs boss was furious and said he expected the officials to come up with a story explaining why they had
allowed the goal.
He told reporters, “I would be sick if the FA charged me. I wouldn’t take that lying down, no chance," said Redknapp. "I haven’t done anything wrong. I didn’t go up to the referee; I didn’t go running onto the pitch, I didn’t chase him
into his room.”
Redknapp was confident that he had not done anything wrong in speaking his mind after the match; the Spurs manger was obviously giving reference to more emotional and expressive managers who have often walked on to the pitch and argued
with the referees.
He said, “I got put in front of the cameras within five minutes; I gave my honest opinion, that’s what I saw. I saw a complete mess-up, where no-one knew what had happened. I’ve got no issues with the FA, but I wouldn’t take it lying down.
There’s no way I’d do any more TV interviews.”
Redknapp was mostly upset over the fact that his side lost over a goal that should not have been allowed to stand. Tottenham put up a good fight until the end, but could not recover being two goals down.
He added, “Don’t bother asking me speak to TV after a game again. I don’t care if it’s in the rules. I don’t want to do it. The last thing I want to do is go on TV and talk about the game. I just want to get on the coach and go home. I
don’t expect a charge, but if they do I’ll fight it all the way.”
The Spurs boss might be under the impression that his side could have come back from a goal down, but the unfair goal was very disheartening. His side takes on Inter Milan in the Champions League tonight and he will hope they can banish
the memory of the unfortunate goal conceded over the weekend.
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