Rafa Benitez and Jose Mourinho Feud Continues

Published by adam | Filed under Football (aka soccer), La Liga, Serie A

Well there is nothing short of drama when dealing with managers Rafael Benitez and Jose Mourinho.

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When signing on with Italian and Champions League Champions Inter Milan, Rafa understood exactly what he was doing. Following a championship run especially in the manner that Inter did, is no easy task. Following in the footsteps of Jose Mourinho, The Special One, is even harder. To make matters worse, the former Liverpool manager said that Mourinho was not the right man for the job at Real Madrid. Mourinho, remember won the championship at the top flight in three different countries, and with Inter, he led the first Italian team to win the Treble.



Anyhoo, upon arrival, Rafa took down all photos of Mourinho at Inter’s training grounds. The new manager has started his Nerazzurri campaign off on a good note having won the Suppercoppa Italiana. Rafa stated his intentions to outdo Mancini and Mourinho in the following comment after winning the cup,


“It’s the first official trophy won this year by Inter, by the club, not by its coach. It’s a trophy won by a group of players that have done well and by the fans that have always supported the team. Then there’s the coaches, first Mancini, then Mourinho and now me, and I hope to win more than them. We could win six trophies this season.”


Rafa and Inter have a couple of fixtures coming up in the Intercontinental Cup in Abu Dhabi that they will want to win, where Internacional of Brazil will be the likely contender for the title. The Intercontinental Cup is now referred to as the FIFA Club World Cup where a representative from all continents play in a tournament. The title game is however, typically played between the winners of the European Champions League and the Copa Libertadores.


Mourinho’s again delivers the verbal smackdown in his response to Rafa’s comment above,


“One thing is certain, [Rafael] Benitez won’t do better than me [at Inter]…Another thing is also true that should he lift the Intercontinental Cup, he will have only won two games compared to my 13. Therefore it will be my trophy and not his.”


“I don’t need photos to make those around me love me as they carry me in their hearts. When I was Inter coach I never asked for the images of Herrera or Mancini to be taken down…If they don’t like my photos it’s not a problem. I always shared a great rapport with the Inter family.


“I wish Benitez success in his new role, not because I love him but because he is coaching a team that belongs to me, my fans and my president.”


Of course, although i hate to admit, that is true. Done and done, Mourinho wins. What can Rafa possibly say in response? Moral of the story. Don’t pick a fight with Mourinho, his special powers will weigh you down.