Wednesday, 26th June, 2013
Rafael Benitez may have managed two of English football’s top teams, but maintains a fervent admiration for Spanish football, with a special eye on Barcelona star Andres Iniesta.
Benitez’s managerial bones were made whilst a coach with Real Madrid’s reserve side – and a stint as assistant for the senior team – and his exploits in England have always included a Spanish connection.
Recently, he revealed his obsession with Spain’s footballing heritage, which increased further thanks to his spells as manager with Real Valladolid, Osasuna, Tenerife and Valencia before moving to England.
And at Napoli, the former Liverpool and Chelsea manager is keen to add a Spanish flavour to his side, with World Cup-winning Iniesta the latest on his mind, even if the midfielder is part of Los Blancos’ arch rivals Barcelona.
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"Iniesta is a great player and is a joy to watch", he told Radio Marca. "It is a great satisfaction for those who are around him and for those who see him from the outside.
"We can only enjoy with a player like him. He does amazing things, but the team also does some incredible things.
"Surrounded by players who, by their moves and understanding, make things appear easy, totally easy. On the contrary, what they do is very difficult."
Benitez’s other name from the Spanish game comes from his old hunting ground of Real Madrid, with Jose Callejon impressing thanks to 30 La Liga appearances.
The Napoli boss is unsure whether Real Madrid’s new direction under Carlo Ancelotti will see Callejon retained, but he nevertheless keeps Spain on a pedestal of its own.
"I believe the Spanish game, with the quality it has and its surrounding atmosphere, has a team guarantee", he added.
"Football is as it is, but Spain is a guarantee, because of the type of football played, by the results obtained and by their regularity.
"I have come to Italy where people are considering Spain to be superior and the best."
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