Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez traveled to Switzerland on the last day of the transfer window and he was one of a small number of Europe’s leading club coaches who were meeting in Nyon to discuss a number of key issues to do with the modern game of football.
The UEFA Elite Club Coaches’ Forum includes Rafa Benitez
The UEFA Elite Club Coaches’ Forum was formed back in 1999, and it gives top coaches a chance to meet each other in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
They are encouraged to give UEFA their opinions, proposals and ideas to improve the game of football.
The coaches qualify by having managed in more than 100 Champions League games.
And because of that it is virtually unheard of for a second-tier club like Newcastle to be represented at a forum like this.
That’s the question put to Rafa on the Newcastle web-site yesterday and this is how he answered:
“Yes it is unusual, but I think it is very good for Newcastle United because I am representing the Club at the top level, at a prestigious meeting like this.”
“I can make sure I can bring back to Newcastle experience and information from the conference to help the Club.”
Rafa certainly does Newcastle proud and he is so well regarded in football circles.
The Forum meets about once a year and it is chaired by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Do you recognize any more of the top coaches in the photograph above?
Comments welcome.
Note: I still have no internet access at home from Time Warner – and it looks like it will be tomorrow at the earliest before it’s fixed – thanks to our local Starbucks for allowing me to get these articles out today – the coffee’s good too!
66 comments so far
Tsunki
Sep 3, 2016 at 1:23 PM
Comment #1John Carver shouldn’t have been put behind Wenger, he’s too short.
Laurent Robert 32
Sep 3, 2016 at 1:35 PM
Comment #2Meanwhile, near Crystal Palace, a silver haired man with a long pointy nose anxiously checks his watch waiting for a driver to pick him and take him to the prestigious meeting.
The driver never showed up…
Our Toon
Sep 3, 2016 at 1:54 PM
Comment #3Hibbit
Nope haven’t said players aren’t to blame, they should also carry the can but nowhere as much as the regime.
Look at how the likes of cisse, tiote, sissoko etc started there careers here, they were flying but as gini said lots of good plans he was told about but none of them became a reality. Once these lads knew they were sold a lie that was it.
I’m glad rafa has come in, hopefully we will see him reign for a long time.
Jail for Ashley
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:11 PM
Comment #4OT,
When did Wijnaldum say that?
Jib
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:14 PM
Comment #5The guy that served the 11o’clock biccies and coffee – was representing Sunderland
Our Toon
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:18 PM
Comment #6In his interview when he explained his joy at joining liverpool….he also expressed no regrets over joining us
Jib
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:18 PM
Comment #7http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/georginio-wijnaldum-newcastle-build-within-10612065
Jib
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:22 PM
Comment #8http://www.vi.nl/nieuws/nederlanders-in-newcastle-een-wisselend-succes.htm
Jib
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:23 PM
Comment #9http://www.fcupdate.nl/voetbalnieuws/281170/wijnaldum-krijgt-rugnummer-5-bij-newcastle-united/
Jail for Ashley
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:24 PM
Comment #10Where does he say he was told a pack of lies. I don’t doubt it just want to read the interview.
Jib
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:25 PM
Comment #11http://www.telegraaf.nl/telesport/voetbal/buitenlands/24255093/__VIDEO__Fans_juichen_Wijnaldum_toe__.html
Jib
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:28 PM
Comment #12http://www.voetbalzone.nl/doc.asp?uid=280957
Jib
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:29 PM
Comment #13http://www.vi.nl/nieuws/wijnaldum-ik-begrijp-de-nervositeit-niet-.htm
Jib
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:35 PM
Comment #14The worm says.
“I don’t doubt it
I just want to read the interview”
Get reading bonny lad
Spoof
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:38 PM
Comment #15Our Toon/Laurent from two threads back
It will be interesting to see where Yedlin does fit in, Laurent is right as he did play more as a winger when he came on but is that the intention or was that just to give the lad some game time so he could get a feel for the side that he has joined, I think its the latter but when it comes to cover for Ritchie then he could be used thee with good effect, what is interesting is where Anita who seems to be Rafa’s favourite will fit in, for me he is dreadful in every position where he has played apart from RB where even I have been impressed with him, for me the defence has to be one unit and not four individuals and they have to move forward together and drop back together and make sure that they work in tandem with the midfield when doing this, this is why Janmaat is now at his best, because he has gone, he just couldn’t do the team ethic bit whereas Anita who I don’t like can and does do the team ethic bit which is why I like him as a RB, but will Anita get a RB birth when we have Yedlin and Gamez who are both Rafa signing’s wanting that same birth, it’s going to be interesting.
Can Yedlin do the team ethic bit, I’m not sure that he can but he was certainly getting better and better at it for the unwashed last season, and then there is Gamez, he certainly can buy into the team ethic and the defence is one system, it’s what he specialises in so who will get that position, god only knows.
What also interests me is Lazaar, his last two seasons have allegedly been his best two seasons and during the last two seasons he has played as a LW more times than he has played as a LB, I honestly feel that if either of Yedlin or Lazaar are to be wingers then Lazaar is the most likely, another reason why I think this could be the case is due to something which I may have got totally wrong as I was convinced that Gamez was bought to be Janmaat’s replacement, I could have that wrong as it looks as if he could be used more on the left to challenge Dummett which then makes you wonder why have we then bought Lazaar, none of us know but it could be a case of Anita and Yedlin fighting for RB with Dummett and Gamez fighting for RB with Ritchie, Gouffran, Atsu, Aarons and Lazaar fighting for the winger positions with Yedlin, Anita and Lazaar being able to cover both FB and wing positions, it’s so confusing at the minute and it will be very interesting to see exactly how it pans out.
Toon Tang
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:39 PM
Comment #16Pards and Carvs were bringing the refreshment trolly in supposedly.
Jail for Ashley
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:42 PM
Comment #17The worm?
You still a bit sore from being put in your place again this morning. You really are so transparent. Have you ever actually discussed anything on here jiberish. You sneer and post links and everytime you get put in your place you either disappear or hurl insults. Complete no-mark.
Jib
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:46 PM
Comment #18I don’t think Sunderland’s massive list of former managers has a hundred CL matches between them !
Toon Tang
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:49 PM
Comment #19My favourite moment from Rafa so far, above anything else, is the way he just chops players from the team no questions asked. No matter who you are, if you perform shit you’re getting chopped. I wonder where he acquired this revolutionary approach? It’s something we’ve been missing for an absolute age.
Jib
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:50 PM
Comment #20Spoof
Rafa will go to 3 across the back with wing backs if the need arises .
So that may have something to do with the diverse skills of some of his signings.
Sorry Jail this is footy talk .
Just sit in the corner and do a crossword or summat.
😀
Jib
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:57 PM
Comment #21Toon Tang
Even the iconic Stevie G wasn’t immune !
Jail for Ashley
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:58 PM
Comment #22Toon Tang,
It would be absolutely great to give Pardew some extra strong truth serum, quadruple strength to actually get an idea of what’s been going on at the club for the last five years.
Jail for Ashley
Sep 3, 2016 at 2:59 PM
Comment #23Jiberish,
Only rugger fans call it footy!
Jib
Sep 3, 2016 at 3:04 PM
Comment #24And about 5 million Scots
http://www.footyheadlines.com/search/label/Celtic?max-results=4
Laurent Robert 32
Sep 3, 2016 at 3:28 PM
Comment #25Spoof, I guess they will have a preferred position, but also a flexible one to suit the style of game, depending on what Rafa thinks is best at that moment in time.
Our Toon
Sep 3, 2016 at 3:46 PM
Comment #26Spoof and Laurent
Yes he did play on the wing, will be interesting to see how rafa uses him and lazaar. Yedlin has pace to burn so looking forward to seeing him in action
bettyswallocks
Sep 3, 2016 at 3:49 PM
Comment #27Jib…… You didn’t tell me what we would receive in season six if we finished fourth?
Laurent Robert 32
Sep 3, 2016 at 3:52 PM
Comment #28I think Yedlin had the most foul throws in the league, and I’m sure it was that, via him, which led to Mitro’s equalizer at St. James’.
Both have pace so I’m looking forward to seeing how they get on. From memory of watching Sunderland games with him in, his crosses were pretty poor. Hope this can be worked on with Rafa, or at least get into a better position when delivering, or cut it back.
Toon Tang
Sep 3, 2016 at 3:56 PM
Comment #29Jail, I reckon a couple of speccy brews would have Pards crying like a jabbering wreck in the corner, spilling his guts about the behind-the-scenes running of toon.
Ive got the mental pic in my swede and its not pretty haha
lesh
Sep 3, 2016 at 4:08 PM
Comment #30I wonder if Rafa raised his concerns about closing the summer transfer window before the season starts? If he could curry support at this forum there’s a lot of clout to lobby the national and international football authorities.
Jib, the rate you’re posting links, your Googling fingers must be callused!
welshgeordie9
Sep 3, 2016 at 4:21 PM
Comment #31Tuff
September 3, 2016
Welsh – interesting snippet for you. Just got back from Yorkshire – Skipton area. By there are some sheep in those Yorkshire Dales.
Learnt that Skipton derives it’s name from old English – sceap means sheep and ton means town – forming the word Sceapton which eventually changed to Skipton.
Seems like your type of town or a future holiday destination.
Victor Meldrew, how about you kiss my hairy arse.
cyprus
Sep 3, 2016 at 5:02 PM
Comment #32How did Luis Enrique manage 100 plus champions league games?
cyprus
Sep 3, 2016 at 5:32 PM
Comment #33Off subject
Congratulations Marcos my man
Yo-yo
Sep 3, 2016 at 5:56 PM
Comment #34JIB
I hereby certify that:-
In the ten years I have been living here, neither I, nor any person with whom I have discussed Association Football in Scotland, nor any commentator or pundit heard on Radio Scotland, nor any Scottish based TV programme, nor any other passing comment, have ever referred to the game as ‘footy’.
Don’t believe everything you google.
Your web page was probably written by en English rugby fan.
Magtoonpie
Sep 3, 2016 at 5:57 PM
Comment #35Ed you should just tell them, Do you know who I am? I’m sure they will have you sorted out quickly or you’ll send over the Toon Army!
Tsunki
Sep 3, 2016 at 6:22 PM
Comment #36Not enough footy talk on here imo. Not nearly enough. 🙂
Laurent Robert 32
Sep 3, 2016 at 6:37 PM
Comment #37There’s a very good Ottmar Hitzfeld: Football’s Greatest programme on now on Sky Sports 5.
He was one who some fans, myself included, really wanted to take over when Shepherd was here. A dossier of his achievements apparently made it over to Shepherd of anyone remembers?
SUTTY1978
Sep 3, 2016 at 6:46 PM
Comment #38“The Forum meets about once a year and it is chaired by Sir Alex Ferguson.”
He’s only keeping the seat warm for Carver. He was too busy ending world poverty to attend this year
Blackley and Brownlie
Sep 3, 2016 at 8:01 PM
Comment #39Okay. Hand up. It was me. I call it “footy” sometimes.
worthing magpiee
Sep 3, 2016 at 8:16 PM
Comment #40Rumors from the paper
“Crystal place boss alan pardew has been approched by stricley come dancing to appear on the show after his cup final performance”
Any legs to this lads?