Former Liverpool defender berates ex-Everton manager for having ‘horrible man-management skills’

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock berates Rafa Benitez for having horrible man-management skills, forcing him to leave his childhood club

Stephen Warnock highlighted the poor man-management skills of former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez that forced him to leave the club. The former Liverpool defender praised the Spanish manager for his brilliant tactical mind but berated his poor communication skills.

Benitez etched his name in the Reds’ legacy by guiding the club to a memorable Champions League victory in 2005. The 64-year-old also won the FA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup but his poor man management caused several controversies.

Liverpool star midfielder Xabi Alonso infamously departed from the club after the 2008-09 season due to poor relationship with Benitez. Benitez attempted to sell Alonso before the 08-09 season to sign Bareth Barry but failed to accomplish his transfer plans.

Alonso played a pivotal role in the 2008-09 Premier League title charge which ended after an infamous Benitez “fact” rant. After Alonso departed from Real Madrid, Liverpool failed to recover amid a poor relationship between the owners, fans and the manager.

Several players including the Reds biggest legend Steven Gerrard endured a poor personal relationship with Benitez during his tenure. Many fans and experts believe that the poor man-management played a key role in Benitez’s struggle in numerous clubs.

Benitez left Liverpool by mutual consent in the June of 2010, after failing to qualify for the Champions League spot. Speaking on Undr The Cosh podcast, Warnock revealed the poor communication between him and Rafa before the Champions League final. Benitez included Warnock in the 2005 Champions League final squad but later excluded him abruptly to add returning defender Josemi. He said:

“It was hard for me because I’m a Liverpool fan, I grew up on the Kop and everything. I thought ‘I f***ing hate this team, like what’s going on here’. I was fuming, I was so angry. I didn’t hate the team, I hated Rafa. I sat there thinking ‘I’m so happy for the lads, but I’m also p***ed off with the way things have played out’. If you ever played in a final or you’ve not played in one, you don’t feel part of even if you’ve played your part to get it.”

Warnock further revealed several stories where Benitez failed to show empathy and communicate properly with the then-young Liverpool defender. He added:

“He didn’t speak to anyone. His man-management was horrendous, absolutely horrendous. I’ve said this to loads of people, [he’s] tactically brilliant. Man-management? Zero. Absolutely no idea how to speak to anyone.”

Liverpool have enjoyed great success under current manager Jurgen Klopp due to his overall qualities as a manager. Apart from his fantastic tactical philosophy and demand, Klopp is an incredible, honest human being and a man-manager.

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The difference between Klopp and Benitez is potentially the reason why Liverpool achieved every major trophy under the beloved German manager. The Reds are appointing Feyenoord manager Arne Slot as Klopp’s successor and Slot’s impeccable man-management reputation played a key role in his appointment.