Big Sam admits Rafa dislike

Blackburn boss stokes up rivalry with Liverpool chief

By Ben Collins   Last updated: 11th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Big Sam admits Rafa dislike

Allardyce: Likes mind-games

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Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has reignited his war of words with Rafael Benitez, admitting he 'doesn't like' the Liverpool chief.

The pair have never seen eye-to-eye and their latest verbal exchange through the media saw Benitez criticise Blackburn's style of play following Liverpool's 2-0 home win against Rovers last month.

Allardyce admits he relishes playing mind-games in a bid to outwit his rival Premier League managers and he has often got the better of Arsenal's Arsene Wenger.

The former Bolton and Newcastle boss felt his latest row with Benitez drew attention away from what was an encouraging display by his side, though, after putting themselves on the verge of another season in the top-flight with back-to-back wins over Hull and Bolton.

Personal

And although old adversaries Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho would famously share a post-match bottle of wine while they mulled over their latest clash, Allardyce insisted he does nothing of the sort with Benitez.

"He's always got personal with it for many, many years now, that's why I don't like him," he told Sky Sports News.

"The feeling's probably mutual but I don't get personal with him. I get into him, and under his skin, but that's all part of the game, is it not?

"The great shame is we didn't get a result - whether he becomes personal after that, there's very little I can do about it.

Tit-for-tat

"The outstanding performance we gave at Liverpool was obviously overshadowed by a bit of tit-for-tat between me and Rafa, which will be the order of the day, no doubt, until one of us isn't managing in the Premier League any more.

"I've always managed to psyche out one or two here and there, and that's the way the Premier League has evolved over the last few years.

"If you have a go at it and it rebounds on you then you'll get criticised, but if it works, that's fine."

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Comments (19)

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Bob Evans (Wigan Athletic fan) says...

Move on Sam your getting boring now, this is not tit for tat it's all one way you are sounding like a bully, Benitez is not biting, you need to concentrate on YOUR own team. You say you like to play mind games, but results don't lie you got beat, and when did you get the better of Arsene Venger?. Your miopic view is crazy, you could/should have had two sent off at Anfield. Saying something over and over doesn't make it true

Posted 07:20 12th March 2010

Ally Johnston (West Ham United fan) says...

Cant imagine Rafa being too bothered by lack of a friendship here, Allardyce once copped the hump for being overlooked for the England job when the only qualification he had was that he is English, not got a great reputation either has he?????

Posted 21:36 11th March 2010

Paul Edwards (Liverpool fan) says...

Yeah big Sam - great footballing sides you've produced, as Newcastle fans who famously said "you dont know what your doing!!" , as Rafa said everyones wants to adopt your thuggish footballing approach, if u cant beat them foul them is your motto! I'm afraid your style of football is suited to lower leagues side so one day soon im sure you'll find out! Or are u guna be the next Real Madrid manager? Thought not!

Posted 21:21 11th March 2010

Per Bergerud (Liverpool fan) says...

When Benitez has forgotten the dispute to focus on the following games and Allardyce are still talking about the subject, even Sam the man would realize who was the one most psyched out, three years form now.

Posted 19:34 11th March 2010

Stephen Richmond (West Ham United fan) says...

What a pathetic person. He sounds like a spoilt little school boy. I'd be embarrassed if I was him.

Posted 18:32 11th March 2010

Steven Pratt (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...

Leave it be Sam, its over. Look forward to the Spurs game this weekend. Please!! We need an away win and Saturday could be the time! NNN!!

Posted 18:22 11th March 2010

Chris Hutch (Liverpool fan) says...

I refuse to believe that Big Sam is capable of getting under anybodys skin with mind games...Sam, I think you will find that its the embarrassing anti-football tactics that you employ wherever you go that other managers dont like you for. You are not respected enough by other managers for them to pay attention to your opinions!

Posted 18:05 11th March 2010

Gavin Winstanley (Liverpool fan) says...

Why does the Sam still carry on with silly comments weeks after the Event? He thinks he's more important then any club and players. When was the Last time he beat Liverpool? He could'nt manage at a big club because no football fans like him. The mans a waste of time

Posted 18:05 11th March 2010

James Jones (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...

Oh come on Allardyce! This is getting stupid... Maybe you should focus on how our team are playing on the field rather than your dislike for Benitez. Its pathetic, grow up...!

Posted 17:27 11th March 2010

Rob Jones (Newcastle United fan) says...

I think Allardyce is really going mad. he is dillusional and doesnt realise no one actualy cares about him or his views on Benitez other than himself. He is a small time manager and always will be.

Posted 16:51 11th March 2010

Shane Bradshaw (Liverpool fan) says...

Who cares what Sam Alldardyce says or thinks. He is a brutal manager who hasnt done anything of note. i am sure Rafa is quaking in his boots about this attachack from Big Sam. The only thing big about him is his mouth

Posted 16:47 11th March 2010

Shirley Yearling (Manchester United fan) says...

Big Sam is right Benitez will be looking for a new job this time next year!! In Rafa we dont trust.

Posted 16:36 11th March 2010

Tim Shaw (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

Allardyce is a disgrace to the premier league . It is managers like these that people prefer foreign managers rather than people who want to make the sport nothing short of wrestling .He has never improved a team , only way is down when you emplooy Allardyce as a manager , as a player and as a club its the worst that can happen.

Posted 16:33 11th March 2010

Norma Klunder (Liverpool fan) says...

Sad, sad man. His own managerial achievements are negligible but he thinks he should manage England. He makes a fool of himself by misinterpreting Rafa's gestures to Alonso and gets Ferguson to fight his battle for him with ludicrous claims. He disparages Liverpool's style of play before playing them, loses the game then objects to Rafa answering his criticism afterwards. Is he deluding himself? Do his 'mind games' result in success for his team? Don't think so. All he is succeeding in doing causing is embarassment for his club's supporters. Time to shut up Sam.

Posted 16:02 11th March 2010

Sean Kelly (Liverpool fan) says...

Hold on Sam you seem these days to be getting ahead of yourself. You surely make such comments after winning 2-0 not losing 2.0 ? If Rafa gets 3 points off you I'm sure he will not worry too much about your "mind games" although if you continue to hear voices consult the club doctor.

Posted 15:42 11th March 2010

Steven Smith (Liverpool fan) says...

But it didn't work Sam because you lost. Why can't you just STOP talking about Liverpool Football Club and Rafa. Concentrate on your own club. Nobody cares if you don't like Rafa.

Posted 15:34 11th March 2010

John Hollins (Manchester City fan) says...

Sam you really do love yourself !!

Posted 15:33 11th March 2010

Lee Billingham (Aston Villa fan) says...

Sam shouldnt worry, I think there are a lot of us out there that do not like him! I don't like Sam that much either.

Posted 15:25 11th March 2010

Imran Ahmed (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...

Sam is doing a good job for Rovers, granted dont think he needs to get involved but does give us all some entertainment! Rafa does get personal and looks to be about to break.. Rafa spent hundreds of millions and Sams prob made a signifiant profit for Blackburn, in his dealings. Very David and Goliath if you ask me!!

Posted 15:14 11th March 2010
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