Newsletter

Get your daily update and weekly newsletter by signing up today!

Opinion

West Ham fans react to Rafa Benitez made hot favourite to replace Pellegrini – Very interesting comments

4 years ago
Share

West Ham fans have been reacting to news that Rafa Benitez is now the clear favourite to be their next manager.

Despite getting good backing in the transfer market, Manuel Pellegrini looks to be heading for the chop.

Five defeats and two draws in their last seven games, including a 4-0 hammering at Oxford in the League Cup and a 3-2 home loss to Newcastle.

Reading the comments below from West Ham fans, the belief appears to be Pellegrini could be sacked this weekend if they lose at home to Mourinho’s Spurs, or failing that, the following game away at Chelsea.

Paddy Power make Rafa the short 6/4 favourite to be the replacement, Eddie Howe the 9/2 second favourite.

Eighteen months ago the media were insistent that Rafa was heading to West Ham to replace David Moyes, with claims he’d finally had enough of Mike Ashley who was refusing to back him in the transfer market.

At the time a poll of 4,452 West Ham fans showed their clear preference…

The Mag – 22 May 2018:

With the end of season fast approaching, the popular Claret and Hugh West Ham independent website have ran a poll asking supporters who they would like to see in charge next season.

With 4,452 West Ham fans voting, it is a decent sample of public opinion and there was a very clear winner…

Number of votes and percentage share:

1,859 (41.76%) Rafa Benitez

706 (15.90%) Unai Emery

603 (13.54%) David Moyes

576 (12.94%) Thomas Tuchel

357 (8.02%) Marco Silva

349 (7.84%) None of the above

As we now know, Rafa Benitez was forced to make a £20m+ profit in the 2018 summer transfer window but stayed to see out his contract, whilst Pellegrini got the job.

Very interesting then now to see what West Ham fans are saying about Rafa Benitez possibly/probably managing the Hammers next.

Not quite as enthusiastic…

West Ham fans commenting via their Knees Up Mother Brown message board:

‘I sincerely hope we don’t go the route of another ex prem manager in charge of a Chinese team….’

‘No thanks to Benitez. He has had 2 opportunities to take the job and didn’t take both chances, so let him rot in China.

I only want a manager that genuinely wants to manage our club. One that is hungry to do the best job and sees us as a step up in their career.

He’s not getting any younger either. Yes, not as old as Pellers, but he still went to China like Pellers.

And just look at the excuses he is making for wanting to return to England. I.e. his family still lives here. Oh so whichever job you take you are just doing it to live in England.

So are we just simply the club that’ll pay your wages then? Doesn’t sound like a hungry manager with ambition.’

‘Rafa’s greatest success at Liverpool was winning the Champions League with Houllier’s side. His transfer record was poor overall too.’

‘When we ‘almost’ landed Benitez I was disappointed that it didn’t happen. In my opinion to go back to him now though would be a mistake.

It’s just got that ‘unfinished business/what if’ feel about it though and can see Sullivan trying to do it.’

‘We had a lucky escape! Now the bunglers are going to put that right…’

‘It will be Rafa. Anyone who pays any attention will know that.’

‘He will cost a fortune to sign from China

Those who hates Big Sam’s negative approach will get to watch footy that makes him look like Rinus Michels!

His record for signing players is spotty at best.

Having said that he would fit the S&G favored profile – a slightly desperate, past their best big name.’

‘Anyone who wants benitez but wanted allardyce got rid of for the boring football is either a hypocrite or doesn’t know what they’re asking for.

Steve bruce’s newcastle put on a far more attacking display at the shi..bowl than rafa’s ever managed.

He’s the perfect fit for our owners, a big name who would do anything for the right money (hence china) who wouldn’t do anything as negligent with their prized asset as trying to get it playing good football and would be a midtable certainty for as long as his contract lasted.’

‘On the plus, at least you can rely on Steve McClaren to perform his annual rejection routine. (Despite never being in the running since 2000).’

‘Benitez plays really boring stuff. Avoid.’

‘Was Benitez overly defensive at Liverpool? I genuinely can’t remember, or did he just set up a team to suit the players at his disposal, at that particular time?

At Newcastle did he just do the best with the players, and the limited resources he had to work with?

I’m not advocating giving him a job here, just asking questions, based on a perception that most seem to have of him.’

‘Rafa seems more likely. He is in dire form in China, has been popping up in the press to have a go at Steve Bruce.’

‘Kevin Nolan is available…’

‘It will be Scott Parker ‘

‘There is no way they will risk PL status with an appointment like that.

Their go to is usually ‘PL experience/safe pair of hands’. If there’s a change they will go straight to Benitez.’

‘The only way he goes is if a horrific home defeat to rivals sees the crowd get on his back and he walks. I just can’t see the owners paying him off.

They probably have Benítez lined up, but are waiting for Pellegrini to leave himself.’

‘He’ll be gone after Spurs, or maybe Chelsea.’

‘If Rafa gets the sack I’d expect them to move quickly. Otherwise it’s just too much £££ for the board.

I think Rafa is completely the wrong appointment but that’s for another time…’

‘Why would we keep him for one of our most difficult stretches of matches when we could have bedded in Rafa during the international break? Total utter circus this club.’

‘Rafa was good in the cups with Liverpool, but melted under pressure from Ferguson (facts rant). He also was lucky that AC Milan switched off in the Champions League final he won, as they were by far the superior side in that match.

Also, he decided to do his usual power play at Liverpool and got sacked after annoying the owners. He did the same at Valencia and Newcastle. He also annoyed the Napoli owner and his dull approach got him chased out of Madrid.

Overall he is quite a miserable sod, which is reflected in previous comments from Kevin Nolan.’

‘I respect what Benitez has won, but am not advocating for him to come here as I’m not sure he is what we need.’

Rafael Benitez would be an absolute disaster under the current board.

In addition, he is also in a terrible run of form in China – his team are bottom of the form table.

That seems a reason why we are suddenly being linked – he is probably about to walk the plank!’

Share

If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk

Have your say

© 2024 The Mag. All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by Mediaworks