Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has shared his thoughts on two of his ex-players now managing Premier League clubs, revealing which one he expected to reach management and which came as a surprise.
Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso both joined the Reds under Benitez’s leadership, with Alonso arriving first in 2004 when Benitez was reshaping Gerard Houllier’s squad, followed by Arbeloa in 2007 from Deportivo after progressing through Real Madrid’s youth system.
The pair will oppose each other on Monday when Arbeloa’s Fulham entertain Alonso’s Chelsea, approximately two decades after first linking up at Anfield under their former manager.
Together they secured the 2010 World Cup and back-to-back European Championship titles while representing Spain, alongside domestic league and cup successes following their moves to Real Madrid after leaving Merseyside. They combined for seven seasons at club level and totalled 262 appearances together across club and international duty.
Arbeloa took over from Alonso at the Madrid helm when the latter was dismissed in January of the previous campaign. Benitez noted the similarity between Arbeloa’s trajectory through Castilla and his own beginnings in management, describing the circumstances of his appointment as unique.
Both relocated to England in July to begin their inaugural top-flight managerial positions, overseeing sides based just two miles apart. Speaking to BBC Sport, Benitez suggested Arbeloa possessed knowledge of English football but had a shorter track record than Alonso. He emphasised the importance of seeing how Arbeloa would perform without the protective environment of Real Madrid.
Despite competing on the field, the pair developed a strong personal bond during their shared time at Liverpool, Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, and with Spain under Vicente del Bosque. They spent leisure time together and even took holidays as a group. Arbeloa described them as close friends who become opponents only when matches begin, adding they had communicated ahead of their encounter but avoided football-related topics. Their families now reside near each other in Cobham, Surrey, with their children attending the same educational institution. Arbeloa stated their connection would endure indefinitely.
Benitez explained that Alonso had acquired managerial expertise in another country at a different tier, having guided Bayer Leverkusen to a domestic league and cup double in the Bundesliga last year. The former midfielder’s tactical awareness impressed Benitez, who believed his exposure to different coaching philosophies at Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich under Pep Guardiola had broadened his tactical understanding.
Benitez recalled a particular instance of Alonso’s footballing intelligence during a 2009 Anfield encounter with Blackburn Rovers managed by Sam Allardyce. When instructed to swing a free-kick to the back post, Alonso instead delivered to the front post, enabling Fernando Torres to nod home his second goal in a 4-0 victory. Benitez remarked that Alonso consistently demonstrated thoughtful play.
Both departed Anfield for the Spanish capital in 2009.
Benitez numbers more than twenty former Liverpool players among his previous charges who have progressed into coaching roles. Among them are Wales national team manager Craig Bellamy and former defender Djimi Traore, now serving as assistant coach at Seattle Sounders. Benitez recalled an incident involving Traore during the 2005 Champions League final, when he sent the defender to the dressing room at half-time anticipating his substitution following a difficult opening period, only for Steve Finnan’s injury to result in his reinstatement before Liverpool’s remarkable comeback and penalty shootout triumph over AC Milan. He expressed satisfaction that these individuals had absorbed elements from his guidance that proved useful in their subsequent careers.
Over four decades since commencing his coaching journey at Real Madrid, Benitez, now 66, finds himself without a club for the first time in memory. He declared his readiness for a fresh opportunity while maintaining his enthusiasm for the sport and commitment to developing squads and individuals. Despite achieving the top-four finish required during his four-month tenure at Panathinaikos beginning in October, he was dismissed in May.
He cited his background as a physical education instructor concentrating on youth development as foundational to his continued drive, drawing parallels with his work with Anthony Gordon at Everton. Benitez continues serving as a UEFA technical observer and discusses integrating contemporary methods including social platforms, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics into his philosophy.
While recently connected with the Scotland national team position, Benitez stated he had received various approaches. He expressed openness to international roles, anticipating numerous openings following the World Cup, but emphasised the necessity of finding a situation offering genuine potential for achievement, whether promotion-linked like his Newcastle tenure or another compelling challenge. He acknowledged the increased pressures of modern football, cautioning against capitulating to social media demands and frequent managerial changes, as sustained project work remains essential to building success.