Gary Neville and Ian Wright crack up as Rafael Benitez makes unexpected entrance for interview
Rafa Benitez’s grand entrance on the latest episode of The Overlap left hosts Gary Neville and Ian Wright in stitches.
The former Liverpool, Newcastle and Everton boss joined the panel to discuss his successful stint at Anfield including that famous night in Istanbul in 2005.
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The Spaniard, who is currently out of work, quickly set the tone for what was always going to be a fascinating insight into his football journey.
On entering the studio, Benitez greeted the panel consisting of Neville, Wright, Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher with a ‘hello’ before adding: “I’m not the waiter!”
The quick-witted comment saw Neville and Wright burst into laughter with the Arsenal legend replying: “That’s a good one, Rafa.”
During his time as a Premier League manager, Bentitez was often cruelly targeted by opposing fans chanting: “You’re just a fat Spanish waiter.”
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The 64-year-old had never previously reacted to the chant until now and brilliantly repackaged it into a humorous ice-breaker.
Benitez shared some of his most cherished moments as Liverpool boss, a job he took in 2004 after leaving La Liga side Valencia.
He spent six years at Anfield which included Champions League success in his first season before losing the final to AC Milan two years later.
His only domestic success with the Reds came in the 2006 FA Cup final when Liverpool overcame West Ham on penalties in Cardiff.
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Spells in charge of Inter, Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid followed before a three year spell at Newcastle saw him become the darling of Tyneside.
An ill-fated seven-month stint at Everton preceded roles in China and more recently Spain with Celta Vigo.
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But Benitez is best remembered for his time at Anfield and delivering the Reds their fifth European Cup triumph.
Despite his success, Bentiez admits he was unable to construct the team he truly wanted due to being unable to compete financially with other Premier League clubs.
“Under Tom Hicks and George Gillett, I wanted to sign [Stevan] Jovetić and he was £16 million,” Benitez told The Overlap.
“In my head, I was selling players and had £34million, but was told that we don't have money. We went to play against Fiorentina and lost 2-0 – Jovetic scored both goals. I said that this was the player we wanted to sign but we didn't have money.
“I wanted to sign Aaron Ramsey when he was playing for Cardiff City, and we made an offer of £1.5m but Cardiff were playing in the FA Cup and wanted us to wait, but I told them that we had to do it, he was 17 years-old. When we went again to try and sign him, Arsene Wenger paid £5m, and we couldn't sign him.
“Gareth Bale, when he was 17 at Southampton, six months after we were watching him, Tottenham paid £8m, and we couldn't compete.”
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