Rafael Benitez

Rafael Benitez has forged a reputation as one of the most respected tacticians in world football, winning 13 major trophies across Spain, England, and Italy. He began his distinguished coaching career at the Real Madrid Academy, where he guided the Under-19s to three league titles in 1987, 1989, and 1990, alongside two Spain U19 Cups in 1991 and 1993. Following a promotion to manage Real Madrid B in 1993, Benitez honed his strategic prowess, later achieving significant promotions with Extremadura in 1997 and Tenerife in 2000, successfully elevating both clubs from Spain’s Segunda Division to the top-tier La Liga. His managerial career gained significant international momentum upon his appointment at Valencia in 2001.

After a stint at Real Madrid in 2015, Benitez moved to Newcastle United in 2016, where he achieved promotion to the Premier League as Championship winners in the 2016–17 season. Demonstrating his adaptability across global football, Benitez also managed Chinese Super League side Dalian Professional, showcasing his ability to lead diverse teams in new environments. His most recent managerial roles include appointments at Everton and Celta Vigo, continuing to apply his respected tactical approach and extensive experience at the highest levels of professional football.