Former Liverpool manager reveals Tottenham once contacted his agent
Rafa Benitez has revealed that his agent once talked to Tottenham before his eventual appointment at Liverpool, a decision that ultimately shaped the destinies of both clubs in the mid-2000s.
Spurs’ managerial history
Tottenham’s managerial appointments have long been a source of intrigue, as Daniel Levy has had to part ways with several high-profile coaches over the years, ranging from Martin Jol to Antonio Conte.
Despite their ambitions, Spurs have often struggled to secure their first-choice targets, with notable examples including missing out on Arne Slot before appointing Ange Postecoglou and nearly hiring Erik ten Hag prior to Nuno Espirito Santo’s short-lived tenure.
The mid-2000s presented a similar story, as Tottenham sought to find the right leader to elevate the team. At the time, Rafa Benitez was emerging as one of Europe’s brightest managerial talents after leading Valencia to two La Liga titles and a UEFA Cup triumph.
With his stock at an all-time high, Tottenham were among a host of clubs vying for his services, but history would dictate that Benitez opted for Liverpool, marking the beginning of a transformative era at Anfield.
Benitez on Spurs: “It’s not important”
Speaking in his latest interview for It was What it Was, Rafa Benitez shed light on his managerial journey, revealing the moment Tottenham came calling during his rise to prominence. Although his eventual choice was Liverpool, Spurs were very much in the conversation.
When asked about other English clubs that showed interest in him at the time, Benitez admitted:
“Was there another English side, I believe, at that time?”
“Yeah, there was another one,” he replied.
“Was it Tottenham?”
“It’s not important at this time. It’s not important,” Benitez said, before elaborating further. “We are talking about a long time ago, but there was Besiktas, Inter, Tottenham and Liverpool. But when I say offers, interest, and then they were talking with my agent and that’s it. But the most serious for me and the most exciting was Liverpool.”
His decision to join Liverpool would prove monumental, as Benitez led the Reds to one of their most iconic victories, winning the Champions League in his first season and adding an FA Cup the following year. For Tottenham, however, the trajectory was quite different, with Martin Jol taking the reins in 2004 and providing stability without ever reaching the same heights as Benitez achieved at Anfield.
What could have been for Spurs
Had Benitez chosen Spurs, the Premier League’s landscape could have been drastically different. Liverpool’s gain was undeniably Tottenham’s loss, as the Spaniard’s five-year tenure at Anfield included an unforgettable Champions League triumph in 2005 and a close run at the Premier League title in 2009 with a remarkable 86-point haul.
Tottenham, on the other hand, endured a steadier, less glamorous progression under Martin Jol, who achieved a ninth-place finish 2004/2005 and a fifth-place finish the next season. However, he lacked the transformative impact of a Benitez. It’s tempting to imagine how Spurs might have evolved under the Spaniard’s leadership, given his ability to revitalise squads and deliver silverware during his prime.
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