Rafael Benitez becomes the coach of Inter Milan
Amidst the drama of the World Cup, the club drama has been subsided for a little while. But, the club news is still exciting and still important for all the players and football fans. After Rafael Banitez’s hard run as Liverpool’s manager, he has been finally freed by the club. On the other side of the continent, Jose Mourinho decided to leave Inter Milan after a treble winning season, as he decided to join Real Madrid. Real Madrid is having a tough time against their rivals Barcelona in the La Liga and Mourinho is supposed to turn things around for them. It was also good news for Rafa, as a vacancy was immediately created and Inter readily signed him as the head coach, as the options available were quite few.
Inter Milan had a very good run under Mourinho’s two year reign. The best season came with Mourinho leading them to an incredible treble in the 2009/10 season. They have enjoyed enormous superiority in the Serie A and have had a relatively easy road towards league titles. But, as soon as the season came to an end, Mourinho did not wait for too long for Madrid’s job and are ready to take on the next challenge. Mourinho is a kind of manager who likes challenges and so far, he is been pretty successful, except the Champions League job for Chelsea.
Rafa, on the other hand has had rough days in the Liverpool club, especially the last three seasons. He only won a Champions League and an FA Cup in his five year stay at Liverpool. During that course of time, he made some horrible decisions, especially in the transfer market. The best decision taken under his reign was the acquisition of Fernando Torres from Athletico Madrid. However, Rafa has had some success in his career, as he had a successful run with his previous club, Valencia. Although his resume was not strong enough as compared to Mourinho’s, but still he had credentials to coach a side like Inter Milan.
Although, Mourinho brought European success to Inter Milan, a long-awaited victory, he was still criticised by the media. The major allegation was that Mourinho’s tactics represent anti-football, and the game-play is unexciting and dull. So, in his first press conference in Milan, Rafa promised a more open style of play and exciting football on the Spanish style. The Spaniard has shown it in Liverpool and he has the credentials to bring it in Inter Milan.
But, there is one thing for sure, although the Mourinho’s tactics are widely criticised, he was the one to win the Champions League. Otherwise, the Barcelona’s pressure could have been too strong to curtail by an attacking Inter side.
Although the World Cup is attracting all the attention, the transfer problems are still knocking at the clubs doors, which was also an issue facing Rafa, just after he signed the paperwork. Banitez would be trying to stop his major players from leaving the club, and would also be keeping an eye on other players. Most of the speculations are about the defender Maicon, who is constantly being linked to Real Madrid. Rafa would do his best to stop this transfer; however, he is also keeping an eye on Sagna of Arsenal, for a possible replacement. Other players in the threat of leaving the club are the striker Diego Milito and the midfielder Wesley Schneider. These were the key figures in Inter’s success last year, and this would be a big loss.
Apart from all that transfer drama, the current World Cup would also be troubling Rafa, as it troubles all other coaches of the clubs. He would be keeping an eye on his players’ fitness and hoping for the favourable outcomes.
Rafa has promised five trophies this season for Inter Milan including the three won by Mourinho and the Euro Super Cup and the Club World Championship. This would be a lot to demand from the players, but there is no doubt that Inter can perform this well in the next season. The only thing is that Rafa should keep his head straight, and make efficient use of the Squad of World-Class players under him. The competition would be tougher in the next season, and the confidence and determination of the squad would matter alot.
Tags: