RAFA BENITEZ has revealed who the greatest player he ever managed is – and snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo in the process.
The experienced boss was asked the question while on punditry duty ahead of his former side Newcastle facing Manchester City.
Benitez has managed the likes of CR7, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid while also coaching Samuel Eto’o at Inter Milan and Eden Hazard at Chelsea, but another was dubbed the best.
The Spaniard did not think about his answer, immediately replying with Steven Gerrard’s name.
Benitez managed the Liverpool legend during his six-year stay at Anfield.
The club won the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup in 2006 while the duo were working together.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Gerrard played 292 times under Benitez, scoring 104 goals for Liverpool.
Speaking last year, Benitez again named the midfielder ahead of other stars that were his favourites.
He said: “Gerrard was the best player I ever coached.
“He was a great, great player, fantastic player and he’s a young manager now.
Most read in Football
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST FOOTBALL BETTING SITES IN THE UK
“What I would say to him now is to listen and try to learn from anyone.”
Gerrard, like Benitez, is currently out of management after his sacking from Aston Villa.
Yet the ex-England star has been linked with a return, surprisingly, to Paris Saint-Germain and the Polish national team.
He was also linked with recent vacancies at Leeds and Southampton.
Meanwhile, Benitez is reportedly an option for West Ham if they sack David Moyes.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
