That’s one way of viewing those two reigns I suppose. The players and fans of those clubs see it slightly differently. The squad may have been ageing but it didn’t get old in the space of an off season having won the league and CL. Age doesn’t explain the drop off. He had them in 7th and started with his usual transfer antics and politics. He was not in a strong position to make such demands after being so poor in the league. Leonardo fairly easily turned that form around by simply playing a style of football suited to the players. Unfortunately Moratti was a crazy cat and it’s took new owners and time to recover. That’s the one sympathy you’d have for Benítez, but then Mourinho made it work. Again at Real his inability to adapt was exposed. At Real it’s not complicated. They want to watch the best footballers play top attacking football and win. The demands are incredible. It’s found out good coaches throughout time. He wanted to play his way and couldn’t adapt. The fans hated it. The players equally so. Look up what Cristiano Ronaldo thought of his time there. Ramos etc. It was akin to Ruud Gullit here and the players we were going to lose if he stayed. For me two unmitigated disasters.
Pretty sure Inter were 5th with 2 games in hand, having just won the club World Cup and still in all cups, when he was sacked. As I said he broke all attacking stats when he was at real Madrid, he was also told off by la liga for fair play after they smashed 10 goals against Vallecano. He wanted to play Casemeiro against Barcelona, but wasn't allowed as the owner wanted a more attacking side, they lost 4-0 that match and Rafa said let me coach. Even still, they were 3rd in la. Liga and qualified for the knockouts of the champions league. One of the reasons for his dismissal was losing against Barcelona. You mean Ronaldo who was offended that Rafa didn't say he was the best player in the world, instead giving a dignified response by saying there are lots of good players and he refused to say he was the best at at Real as he didn't want anyone else in the squad to feel bad. He fell out with Rafa because Rafa ordered a study in to Ronaldos free kicks because he hadn't scored one in 6 months,Ronaldo took offence to this making out Rafa was trying to teach him how to kick a ball. For every player that doesn't like a manager, there will be several who do. Gareth Bale for example loved Rafa. Ask Schar what he thinks of Bruce, compared to Shelvey and you would get a different answer.
Attacking stats Funnily enough the fans watch the actual games rather than any stat counts. I can confirm they were an awful watch The players were about to revolt due to negative tactics. Sorry but if you have Ronaldo, Ramos etc in your squad you adapt your management style to get the best from the worlds best. As Zidane showed it’s about player management more because the talent level is so high. Rafa is a bad fit at top clubs with top players. Pretty sure Inter were 7th. They had won Club World Cup. They had also lost European Super Cup. But the league form was the problem. Looking they had played 15, won 6, drawn 5 and lost 4. It was horrific form. 23 points from possible 45 for a team which had won the league. The football was drab. For sure players enjoy certain management styles. The best don’t seem to enjoy Rafas whereas your Luis Garcia’s, Rondon, Torres, etc seem to perform at levels they never reach again. Nature of his style of coaching and management. Very defensive, very intense.
Didn't Frank Lampard like Rafa, but John Terry didn't. Likewise Bale loved him, but Ronaldo didn't, Benzema and Rodriguez liked him, but Ramos didn't. Swings and roundabouts. You can't say the Elite didn't like him, but lesser players did. That's a bit unfair. You can say his football was drab, but stats don't lie. I do agree, that he shouldn't have gone to Inter though, he should have gone to Juventus when they approached him. Likewise he should have gone to West Ham or stayed at Napoli for another season instead of going to Real.
Benzema, Ramos, Ronaldo, Rodriguez were all set to kick off. Bottom line is he had major dressing room problems at both clubs and had them performing well below what they capable of. He is generally considered a failure at both by fans, players, media and most football people. No shame he’s just not cut out for the very top clubs. Plenty good managers have struggled on top top jobs. Demands are higher and generally Rafas style is not a great watch so you must have stellar results. He could not manage those results or style. Actually stats do massively lie at times Judging style should always be done with the eyes. Football is not played in books. Stats are just useful side notes and useful to coaches to refine their approach. In terms of using it to imprint or judge a style of football is nonsensical.
Fact is that if Ronald and Ramos decide they don’t like you, then that’s it. Doesn’t matter who you are, you’re out.
Certainly a problem. The best adapt though. Wouldn’t have mattered what the players thought though, the football and results were not up to scratch. Their fans are notoriously demanding, so if you get it going you’re knackered really. Rafas just not suited top the big clubs really. Most of the top clubs want attacking football and he’s a defensive coach. It could have worked at Inter as Italians don’t mind defensive football but the results were just too bad.
