The enigma that is Rafael Benitez

Welcome to Italy, Rafa. For a man whose reputation among the English press was less impressive than mud by the time he left Liverpool, Rafael Benitez hasn't done too bad for himself. In fact, given that just a few months ago he seemed to be front runner for the Juventus job, he's managed to land just about the best position going in football at the moment. Not bad for a man considered to have lost it at Anfield.

When discussing Benitez, it's always hard to know which man to focus on. The one who won the Champions League, FA Cup and took the Reds to within a few points of taking their first league title since 1990. Or the man who alienated one of his best players to the point of demanding a transfer, brought in a series of mid-range duds who would have struggled at mid-table Premier League sides, and very nearly failed to see his side qualify for any type of European competition after a disastrous season.

Then there's his public persona, which has never been highly regarded at the best of times. He suffers badly when held up to the other more charismatic managers in the 'Big Four' but he's always been available for interview. It's also a shame that his humour doesn't seem to translate well. I've long held the suspicion that a lot of the comments Benitez has been ridiculed for are actually quite dry lines that aren't really picked up on.

Yet he can also come across as stubborn and somewhat irritable when matters aren't going his way, and these traits are hard to disguise, no matter the language barrier.

Many journalists, notably Henry Winter, describe Benitez as a cold figure - which fits with his persona - yet how do you marry this with the man who donated £96,000 to the Hillsborough Family Support Group as a parting gesture to a club he clearly has a lot of affection for, even after leaving?

Benitez still comes across as something on an enigma, both on and off the pitch. He's been particularly good at masterminding victories over Manchester United but then will play negative, defensive formations against the likes of Wigan when the game is there for the taking.

You don't become a bad manager overnight, and Benitez isn't a bad manager. When Liverpool were playing well or producing one of those stirring comebacks, they were a joy to watch. In 08/09 they were an excellent team. In a league where Liverpool didn't have quite the financial muscle of Manchester United and Chelsea, the Spaniard's record is decent.

But ultimately the less successful aspects of Rafa's record came back to haunt him and provide ample ammunition for a media pack desperate for a big-name scalp (and unlikely to see Ferguson or Wenger resign or be sacked). One sniff of blood and weakness and the inevitable questions about his future would regularly surface.

And he kept adding to the rod for his back. A series of below-average signings such as Josemi, Mark Gonzalez, and David N'Gog hardly set the pulses racing, while the alienating and subsequent sale of Xabi Alonso, the side's heartbeat, in an unsuccessful pursuit of Gareth Barry must surely rank as one of his biggest mistakes. And this is without mentioning serial boyhood club supporter Robbie Keane.

Combine this with Liverpool's form last season and their performances on the pitch - and let's not mince words here, the Reds were frequently dour and dreadful - and Liverpool falling three places short of Rafa's guaranteed fourth place finish and the writing was somewhat on the wall.

It would have been fascinating to see how Benitez would have got on next season and, had Liverpool challenged for the title, or even finished third, that would have been one hell of an achievement, especially given the state Tom Hicks and George Gillett have left the club in.

But it felt that, like a long term relationship where the love's still there but the spark's gone, it was the right time for Benitez to call it quits at Liverpool. And in playing hard to get for Juventus, he's landed a bigger prize.

Not that it will be easy. The man he's replaced, the most charismatic and, for last season, successful coach in Europe has left a huge legacy behind that's impossible to replicate. Should Rafa repeat Mourinho's treble, it will be an astonishing achievement.

He probably won't, mind, but he does have a much better squad at his disposal. Esteban Cambiasso is one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe, while Lucio, Maicon, Zanetti and Julio Ceasar are a formidable barrier to goals. Up front, Milito and Sneijder are in the form of their lives.

It's a big season for Benitez. If he fails at Inter, his reputation will nosedive when taken in combination with his final season at Liverpool. Succeed, and he shows Anfield's owners how poorly they've handled him.

It's too early to say how he'll fare in Milan but, while I don't rate him as highly as Liverpool fans and thought he was right to go, I hope he does well in Italy, if only to be able to serve a large helping of humble pie to some of the more vitriolic journalists during his time in England.

(Pic via soomaalidamaanta.com)