Benitez Factfile

We look at all the major points in Rafa's career

Last updated: 18th March 2009  

Benitez Factfile

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As Liverpool celebrate manager Rafa Benitez's new contract - we look back through his career.

1960: Born Madrid, 4th April.

1974: Joins Real Madrid as youngster, making slow progress through the ranks.

1981: Leaves Real Madrid without ever playing for the first team and joins Third Division Parla.

1983: Part of the Parla side which gains promotion to the Spanish Segunda B.

1985: Joins Segunda B side Linares. Spends almost the entire season injured and retires as a player in 1986.

1986: Appointed to Real Madrid's coaching staff, starting off with their juniors and working up through to the Under 19s.

1994: Leads Real Madrid's B team to seventh in Spain's Second Division and ends the season as assistant to first-team coach Vicente del Bosque.

1995: Appointed coach of Valladolid but sacked after 23 games with the team bottom of the Primera Liga table.

1996: Takes over at Osasuna in Second Division, but lasts just nine games after recording one win.

1997: Joins Second Division outfit Extremadura and leads them to promotion, finishing second in the table with 23 wins in 42 games.

1999: Extremadura relegated from top flight after a play-off defeat to Villarreal, earlier finishing the season 17th.

1999-2000: Quits Extremadura to take a year's sabbatical to study coaching in Italy and England.

2000: Appointed boss of Second Division Tenerife and leads them to promotion.

2001: Named as surprise choice to replace Hector Cuper at Valencia. Decision questioned by the fans but he leads Valencia to their first Primera Liga title in 31 years in first campaign in charge.

2003: Valencia fade away to finish fifth in the table, although they do reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

2004: Benitez leads Valencia to their first ever double, lifting both the Primera Liga and the Uefa Cup.

June 1 - Valencia announce that Benitez and club have agreed to part by mutual consent.

June 16 - Benitez confirmed as Liverpool manager on five-year contract.

2005: May - Wins Champions League in his first season as Liverpool come from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan on penalties in Istanbul.

2007: February - American duo Tom Hicks and George Gillett buy the club from David Moores vowing to bring the Premier League title to Anfield.

May - Benitez's side reach the Champions League final for the second time in three seasons but lose to AC Milan in Athens.

2008: Relations between Benitez and the Anfield hierarchy sour suddenly with doubts over the Spaniard's long-term future, largely due to differences of opinion over transfer policy.

2009: March 18 - Benitez signs a new contract after months of uncertainty, keeping him at Anfield until 2014.