Rafa Benitez (Paperback)

The book itself is just over 220 pages, and is nicely packaged in what is sort of between a hard back and a soft back book, if that makes any sense!

It's an easy read, I read it in a day. And it's relaxed writing style, and the fact each section is split into small chapters, breaks up the book, making it one of those ideal books to read on trains and bus journeys to work, if, unlike me, you don't get the urge to read a book from cover to cover in a day!

The book itself, I would say, is 90% focused on football. So if anyone was hoping for a deep insight into Benitez the man as well as Benitez the manager, they will be disappointed. Lloret makes a point of stating early in the book what an intensely private man Rafa is when it comes to his family. And it seems this book has been written with the express instruction that no great deal is said about his private life.

This isn't to say that we don't see a little of the personality behind the manager. There are some endearing images portrayed of a studious child, and of a budding footballer, that had his promising career cut short by a serious injury. As well as the surprising fact that Benitez actually spent a year in medical college before deciding to make a go of his football on a professional level. But the main things that come across from these glimpses into Rafa's upbringing, childhood and young adulthood, is how hard working, intense and committed an individual he was then as he is now. This won't come as a surprise to any supporter of his current or former clubs. But the intensity of his commitment to his football and his coaching is proof if ever there was, of how hard work can bring success!

What this book makes obvious is that Benitez never had it easy, never had anything in football handed to him on a plate, and had to endure several deflating and dispiriting moments in his career both as a player and a coach. Everything he's achieved, he's plotted and planned for, and worked tirelessly for. It really is refreshing to read about such an individual in a football world that is being dominated more and more by rich, spoilt young men, who've not had to do a thing for themselves since they signed with their first clubs.

The main focus of this book is Valencia FC, and this is no surprise. Lloret as well as being a close friend of Benitez, is a Valencia fan. And as well as some of the more famous tales of discontent that emerged when Benitez joined Liverpool, this book gives us a far closer look at his time there, both the great times and the battles behind the scenes, and sometimes in front of the cameras. And this is one thing that may surprise British football followers, who see Benitez as such a mild mannered character. It becomes apparent that in Spain, he was more than prone to a few rages, and battles with other coaches as well as Valencia's directors. It really does give a fascinating insight into the mind of not only a meticulous and outstanding football coach, but also a tough and often stubborn man.

The last part of the book is devoted to Liverpool and especially the amazing Champions League run of which Benitez was the architect, which culminated in that fantastic final in Istanbul. And one of the most interesting parts of the book is the recollections of the days surrounding the game, from Benitez' perspective. It's an insight into how he plans and works for games, and of how he himself dealt with the pressure. Whereas this book on the whole doesn't delve too deeply into Rafa's persona away from football, there is a heartfelt section detailing the very personal reasons that made going back to Turkey such a poignant time for him. Unbeknown to most Liverpool fans, Rafa's brother in law had been killed in Turkey just 2 years before. And a year later, it was while in Turkey for a UEFA cup tie with Valencia, that Rafa heard of the devastating terrorist attacks in his home city of Madrid. Attacks which his nephews and nieces and been caught up in, and in which another brother in law was actually in one of the trains hit, but luckily not badly injured.

In conclusion - this book certainly isn't a biography in the obvious sense, as most of the book is devoted to football, but as explained earlier this is no surprise. And as it's an official biography and a book written by a friend of Benitez' it's fair to say that he's had some control over the content. But in the same way, as it's written by someone close to him, you do get the feel from the book that it's been written with a lot of affection and privileged knowledge, making it far more worthy of a read than any unofficial books written by journalists and writers without a true knowledge of the real Benitez.

All in all, this book is pretty light reading, but it is interesting. It's a good portrayal of one of Europe's finest football managers and coaches, and a man who combines his work with a dignity and class, so rarely seen in high profile managers over here.

I would recommend this book especially to fans of Valencia and Liverpool, as well as to fans of Spanish football in general, as it gives good insight into the obsessive world of football over there.