Benitez names Gerrard as best player he has coached: Details
Rafael Benitez, a highly respected football manager, has named Steven Gerrard as the finest player he has ever coached. This statement comes despite his tenure at top-tier clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, and Real Madrid. Benitez's coaching career includes working with world-class players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Frank Lampard. However, it was Gerrard's exceptional skills that stood out to him. Here are the key details.
Benitez praises Gerrard's skills and energy
In a conversation with Gary Neville on The Overlap, Benitez highlighted Gerrard's extraordinary skills, energy, and versatility on the field. "Steven [Gerrard] is the best player I have ever coached," Benitez said. "In Madrid, I couldn't say that, but now I can! It was very clear he had everything." He further noted that what Gerrard initially lacked was the tactical knowledge often possessed by foreign players due to their positional play.
Gerrard's role in Liverpool's success under Benitez
Benitez managed Liverpool from 2004 to 2010, a period marked by significant victories including the Champions League and FA Cup. Gerrard played an instrumental role in these triumphs. Despite later stints with other clubs, Benitez considers his time at Liverpool, particularly his collaboration with Gerrard, as a career highlight. He also suggested that given his talent, Gerrard would be worth around £180m in today's market.
Benitez's coaching journey post-Liverpool
After leaving Liverpool, Benitez held various coaching positions including a successful stint with Chelsea where he won the Europa League. He also had a tenure at Napoli, securing the Italian Cup for the team. His most recent role was managing Celta Vigo but was dismissed following a poor run of results. Currently without a club, Benitez has been linked with the US national team manager role, although this position is expected to go to Mauricio Pochettino.
