Can new Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez emulate Max Allegri?

Rafael Benitez’s appointment as Real Madrid manager was met with a mixed response from both the club’s fans and football pundits. The former Napoli boss was unveiled as the new Real Madrid manager by club president Florentino Perez at an emotional ceremony a few days back.

While many have now got used to Perez’s “hire and fire” policy, some happen to be questioning the magnate’s recent decision to bring in the former Valencia, Liverpool, Inter and Chelsea manager. World Cup winner and ex-Inter defender, Marco Materazzi, sarcastically went on to wish “good luck” to the fans on hearing about their new manager.

Something like this doesn’t really come as a surprise from the Italian given the torrid time he spent at Inter under him. Benitez’s Inter adventure was a stark contrast to the previous season when an old adversary, Jose Mourinho guided the side to a historic treble.

Having started his career as a youth coach at Real Madrid, Benitez went on to guide Valencia to the La Liga title first in 2001-02 and thereafter in 2003-04. After a falling out with hierarchy there, he took charge at Anfield where he guided Liverpool to the UEFA Champions League title in 2005, the FA Cup in 2006 and a second placed finish in the League in 2008-09.

After his dismissal, Rafa went on to manage Inter but didn’t last for a long time. He was then brought in to replace Roberto Di Matteo at Chelsea and he even went on to win the Europa League with the side. But disagreements and a lack of faith of Roman Abramovich in him led to his departure.

However, he soon found a new club. Napoli signed him on and he led the side to the Coppa Italia title in his first season there. His second season was far from successful as Napoli lost out to Ukranian side Dnipro in the Europa League semifinal and also failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

The similarities to Massimiliano Allegri

With all the trophies and the experience, Rafael Benitez surely seems to be the perfect man for the role at the Bernabeu. But what the records don’t reveal is the fact that over the past few seasons, his stock has been on the wane.

From not connecting with the players at Inter to doubting John Terry’s abilities, Benitez has since failed to get the best out of his star performers. At Naples, he was far from good. Though he won the Coppa Italia, he failed to do what Walter Mazzari did with that side.

It all indicates that there is no doubt that Real Madrid fans who are accustomed to the creme de la creme will be aggrieved at a “discard” taking charge of the club.

Perhaps in this regard, his appointment resembles the decision taken by Juventus officials to appoint Massimiliano Allegri as the club’s boss. Having just completed a torrid season at the San Siro, Allegri was possibly the least favourite to fill the manager’s post left vacant after Antonio Conte’s resignation.

The previous seasons had been fruitful for the Old Lady in terms of domestic competitions but with Allegri taking charge, Juventus have not only achieved the domestic double but came within an inch of winning the Champions League this season. While Conte cast his doubts on any Italian club’s chances of doing well in the competition, Allegri managed to prove him wrong in just one season.

Allegri was perceived as a “discard” who never deserved to take charge of Juventus. In a similar manner, Benitez is being perceived the same way as one who certainly doesn’t deserve to be at the Bernabeu.

Can Benitez take the same course as Allegri?

The answer is plain and simple. Why not? Benitez unlike some of his predecessors at Real isn’t as high profile and is widely tipped to fail. He could use that to his advantage just like Allegri. While Allegri didn’t go about making wholesale changes to the squad, Benitez also does not need to do that.

In fact, the Real squad in spite of not winning trophies is still a set squad. Adding to that, Benitez’s long cherished dream of having Cristiano Ronaldo has been fulfilled. A few changes here and there is all that they need.

Allegri did not get along with Andrea Pirlo at Milan but at Juventus, he adjusted. He understood the fact that the midfield maestro commands a lot of respect from his teammates and perhaps he shouldn’t disrupt the rhythm of the team by offloading him.

Pirlo put in great performances for the side despite not having the most convincing of all his seasons. Benitez, on the other hand, could adopt the same policy with club legend Iker Casillas. Although the veteran hasn’t been at his best for some time now, you cannot simply do away with the presence of someone like him.

Rafael Benitez was destined to take charge at Real Madrid. Be it now or a few years later. Since he has already been appointed, questions on his abilities should be put to rest.

All that matters is what he does at the club now. Benitez can and has all that he needs to emulate Allegri and perhaps be more successful than him. As Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher pointed out, “Benitez always wins trophies.”