A Season on the Brink: Rafael Benítez, Liverpool and the Path to European Glory

A Season on the Brink: Rafael Benítez, Liverpool and the Path to European Glory by Balague, Guillem. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780752879369.

Biographical Portrait of Liverpools Spanish football manager Rafael Benitez and an extraordinary season for the club. When Rafael Benitez was appointed manager of under-achieving Liverpool at the start of the 2004-2005 season, the reaction of many fans was Who the **** is Rafael Benitez?. The Liverpool fans had grown used to French manager Gerard Houllier but he had been a fan of the club himself since his days as a teacher on Merseyside. A Spaniard with admittedly a wonderful record at Valencia was going to take over management of Liverpools famous Boot Room and try and win over a disillusioned Kop. But in one season, Benitezs importation of Spanish players, coaching methods and diet has led to a revolution, even usurping Jose Mourinhos Chelsea, whereby the team has ended the season winning the ultimate trophy for any European club - the European Champions League. No fan will ever forget the comeback from a 3-0 deficit to a 3-3 scoreline, then dramatic success in the penalty shoot-out. This is the story of Rafas remarkable success.