Rafael Benitez - Champions League Coach

The Early Years

As a youngster growing up in Real Madrid ,Rafael Benitez dreamed of a career as a football player, registering at the Real Madrid youth academy at the age of 12. Although a capable player, Benitez went on to play the majority of his football for second and third division sides and retired from play in 1986 to focus on coaching the Castilla B youth team.

Coaching Career

Liverpool football club manager Rafa Benitez speaks to the media during a press conference at the Melwood training complex, in Liverpool, in north-west England, 27 November 2007.

For the next eight years Rafael Benitez worked as a coach of various youth teams, returning to the Real Madrid academy in 1989. His break as a coach of a senior team came in 1995 when he was promoted to coach the Real Madrid B team.

After two years spent coaching the Real Madrid second-string side, Benitez departed for greener pastures taking up the head coach position at a series of La Liga clubs including Valladolid, Osasuna and Valencia.

Benitez achieved his greatest Spanish success with Valencia, leading a youthful but brilliant team to the club's first La Liga title in 30 years in 2002. Then, in the 2003/2004 season, Benitez saw his team claim a second La Liga title as well as their first ever UEFA Cup. A fall-out with the club director led to Benitez departing at the end of 2004 to join Liverpool.

UEFA Champions League Coach

Rafael Benitez joined Liverpool at a stage when the club was in a state of flux and under-performing. The UEFA Champions League coach quickly brought the club to order, recruiting a host of La Liga players to assist him in implementing his famous attacking style of play.

Whilst Liverpool improved only moderately in domestic competition, they overcame a slow UEFA Champions League start to reach the finals of Europe's most prestigious tournament in 2005. The final saw Liverpool beat a talented AC Milan side courtesy of one of the most remarkable comebacks in football history.

Benitez's next year at Liverpool's helm saw the club capture the FA Cup and finish third in the Premier League. In 2007 Benitez and his talented team achieved an impressive double by going through to the UEFA Champions League final in Athens where they lost against a determined AC Milan side.

Despite reports linking Benitez to a move to Real Madrid, his immediate future at Liverpool seems assured as the UEFA Champions league coach has firmly stated his commitment to the club that has helped him win European football's biggest prize.