West Ham chief and British businesswoman Karren Brady has named Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez as the Premier League’s best defensive manager as she sums up what makes the perfect boss.
The Spaniard has come under fire for his pragmatic approach from fans and pundits alike but it has left the Magpies with the least goals conceded in the bottom five clubs this season, despite having faced five of last season’s top six finishing sides already.
Writing in her column for the Sun, Brady was left in awe by the Newcastle boss, picking him out as her defensive genius and insisting he was a “master” of the craft, having proven himself for both Newcastle and Liverpool.
She said in the Sun: “A master of the barricades.
“From winning the Champions League with Liverpool to leading Newcastle to promotion and then Premier League safety last year when the opposition, which seemed to include owner Mike Ashley, thought they would crack at any time.”
Opinion
Benitez is a manager that many opposition fans seem to love to hate, and his approach to football, which some deem negative and boring, does not help. However, while those in the stands are complaining, the man in the dugout has used his ability to nullify the opposition to great effect, bringing him the relative success he has tasted at both Anfield and St James’ Park during his time in England. It might not be pretty on the eye, but it mainly comes from a necessity to use the resources available at his disposal, and at Newcastle that is not a lot. He has drilled his players as well as he can to try and keep the opponents, no matter who they might be, at bay. It has obviously worked, finishing 10th in the Premier League last season, and while results might not have gone the Magpies’ way this campaign, the actual scores show that they are still not easy to break down. Brady’s judgement is spot on, and with West Ham having been touted as potential suitors for Benitez before Manuel Pellegrini’s appointment, he could make a move to east London in the future if the cards are dealt right.