The untold story of how Rafa Benítez conquered Europe and revolutionised the English game

Author Sergio Andres Medina conducted revealing interviews with Rafa Benitez, as well as Liverpool players, coaches, opponents, journalists and backroom staff.

Two worlds collided when Rafa Benítez was announced as the new manager of Liverpool FC in June 2004. The Madrid man had earned a fantastic reputation by winning two La Liga titles and the UEFA Cup with Valencia, but no-one could have foreseen the impact he was to have on his new home city, club and the Premier League as its first Spanish manager.

Benítez infused a talented existing squad with some of Spain’s finest footballing exports, going on to win several trophies and inspire the most famous European Cup win of all in Istanbul in 2005.

Bringing talents like Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Luis García and Pepe Reina to Anfield created a buzz and meant the Spanish national team manager would look to Liverpool as much as La Liga when creating his history-making Euro and World Cup-winning squads.

This book is a celebration of six seasons that created a Scouse-Spanish bond that survives to this day.