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Soccer

Rafael Benitez names 'the best player I have coached', and it's not Cristiano Ronaldo

Rafael Benitez names 'the best player I have coached', and it's not Cristiano RonaldoJuan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
The Spaniard appeared on the latest episode of The Overlap.

Rafael Benitez has revealed that Steven Gerrard was the best player he ever managed, and the Spaniard managed a number of big names including Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid. 

Benitez was appearing on an episode of Gary Neville's The Overlap where he looked back on a career which included a managerial spell at Liverpool between 2004-2010. 

During his time at Anfield, Benitez won a Champions League and FA Cup, and he could not hide his admiration for the Liverpool legend. 

"Stevie is the best player that I have ever coached,” Benitez said. 

"He had everything.

"What was missing was the tactical knowledge a foreign player has because they play in this position.

“He was so good, he had so much energy that he could get into the box, go as a full-back, do whatever he wanted to do, but he needed to understand the position.”

After his time at Liverpool came to an end, Benitez went on to manage at a number of major clubs including Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid.

His latest managerial role was at Celta Vigo who he joined in June 2023, Benitez however was sacked in March following a poor run of results and the club sitting two points above the relegation zone. 

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