Rafael Benitez and I are both Spanish football players. The other thing we have in common is our first encounter with England when we visited Liverpool, the beautiful city.It was my home for about 10 years. The Benitez family lived there on and off since 2004, when I moved from Valencia.As they, I felt a sense of community from the beginning. It touches everyone it encounters, from the poor student I was back then to the Valencia-based manager. It is a community that not only cares about its members but also takes care of those who are outside.Despite Benitez's post-Liverpool career taking him to Spain, Italy, and back to England, his family home is still in Merseyside.Now he is back as a professional, but this time on the blue side of football. Although it hasn't been met with widespread approval by Everton fans this signing was considered a 'no brainer' by club owner Farhad Moshiri, Alisher Usmanov and his chief associate.Liverpool was the place Benitez was most likely to return to after he left Dalian Professional, a Chinese club in January. He was offered a second two-year contract worth 12m euros ($0.3m) per year.He wanted to be near his family during a time of pandemic. He felt that his job in China was not fulfilling him and that the Chinese league conditions made it impossible to make them better and challenge for the title. He left Liverpool mainly because he wanted to return home, in Liverpool.Two close family friends were killed by the pandemic, including Richard Green, his personal lawyer and adviser for nearly two decades. Green was a key figure in his move to Valencia. Moments such as these are difficult to handle, but it is easier to be close to his family and the Green family.After arriving in the UK, he realized he had to go back into the market. This was not surprising considering his CV, which includes 13 trophies including two La Ligas and one Champions League. Although he had several offers and was twice contacted by Napoli, he kept his faith in the possibility of getting something in England.It was worth the wait. While Benitez loves Liverpool and its people, it is understandable why some might not agree with his appointment to Everton.He misunderstood the Toffees' name as "a small team" fifteen years ago. However, it was a phrase that was lost in translation. He misunderstood a Spanish expression that means a small team when they don't want the ball. They defend in their box and kick away. This was not meant to be disrespectful of the club but rather about their style. It has remained in the minds of many fans, which is understandable.Whatever your opinion may be about the merits and pitfalls of this appointment, it is impossible to deny the immense contribution that he and his family have made the people of Merseyside.His wife, Montse Benitez Foundation was established in 2011 to raise funds for local charities that receive less than 15,000 dollars per year. It has been a blessing for Evertonians as well as Liverpool supporters. The charity continued to support the Liverpool Women's Hospital, Hillsborough Families' Support group, even after Benitez quit his position as Liverpool manager.In his two first video conference chats, Benitez impressed Usmanov and Moshiri - club decision-makers. They were impressed by what he had to offer - ideas about the academy, the squad's design, and his track record.Real Madrid wanted to make sure that Benitez was not just passing through, but was actually aiming to rise to the top. Both sides have agreed to a three-year contract.They were captivated by his ideas for a project at a club that he believes he can improve and, in a relatively short time, they have risen to the top of the Premier League. Everton has been a mid-table team in recent seasons, scoring 52 points per season over the last four seasons. This is the plan to bridge the gap with the European spots.Benitez is aware that Everton is similar to Liverpool in 2004. He took over from managers (Gerard Houllier and now, Ancelotti) who had begun to move the company in the right direction but never finished the job.He may be viewed as too old-fashioned at 61, but he has constantly rethought his approach to make it as modern and relevant as possible. His own software is in place to manage tactics, training, and explanations.Benitez is a gifted leader who can push things past anyone's limits, as he did when Chelsea won third place and the Europa League.When Juventus was the only team that could win everything, he won two titles at Napoli. Real Madrid was the top group in their Champions League group, and he had a chance of winning the league. He took them from the Championship as champions to Newcastle and kept them in Premier League.Is he defensive He holds the Champions League goalscoring record (8-0) with Liverpool against Besiktas, and Real Madrid against Molde (10-2). In La Liga, he won a historic 10-2 win against Rayo. His style can be described as balanced, with everyone having a part in both defence and attack.Before Benitez was appointed, offensive banners were displayed at Goodison and the area where Benitez lives. Police are currently investigating. They had the opposite effect of what they were intended.Many Everton supporters wanted to get away from the insults. They wanted to send the message that if he became the club's manager they would also be his manager.
