Former Liverpool manager claims he led the Spanish revolution in the Premier League
Former Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez was recently talking to Spanish outlet AS and claimed that he’s the one behind the Spanish revolution in the Premier League. Before Benitez showed up took the helm at Anfield no other Spanish manager had tried themselves in the Premier League.
Now the league is being run by the likes of Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola who has won four PL titles in a row with Manchester City. Guardiola also completed a historic treble last season and Benitez might’ve paved the way for his success.
While speaking to AS, Benitez shed light on how his time with Liverpool and Newcastle United helped create a place for Spanish nationals in the Premier League. Let’s have a look at what he had to say regarding the subject. (h/t AS)
“There was a time when the Spanish player did not adapt to the Premier. In the 2004/05 season we opted for players like Xabi Alonso, Luis García, Fernando Torres and Reina, who paved the way for others,”
Benitez added that his signing Joselu and Mikel Merino for Newcastle United further opened the door for Spanish players to come to the Premier League. Some credit also goes to Benitez’s team during his time with the Reds and at Newcastle.
The Spanish manager also bought in other Spanish coaches and scouts to make up his team during his time in the Premier League. Over time it became common practice for other teams to bring in Spanish nationals to bolster their ranks as well.
Benitez is surely not responsible for all the good that Spanish managers have done in the Premier League. However, he sure did in one way or another set off the Spanish revolution in the Premier League.
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It would be safe to say that we wouldn’t have such an abundance of Spanish talent in the Premier League if it wasn’t for Rafael Benitez kicking things off two decades ago.
