Rafa Benitez is one of the most successful managers in football history, having won numerous trophies with some of Europe's top clubs including Liverpool and AC Milan. His time at Benfica was no exception to this trend, as he led the Portuguese club to two consecutive Primeira Liga titles, becoming the first foreign manager to win the competition twice.
At Benfica, Rafa took over from Jorge Jesus in the summer of 2017, following a disappointing campaign that saw them finish ninth in the league table. However, he quickly showed his managerial acumen by leading the team to a dramatic comeback against rivals Sporting CP in the quarter-finals of the Taça de Portugal,Serie A Stadium before going on to secure the title with a 3-2 victory over Vitória de Guimarães in May 2018.
The following season, Rafa led Benfica to another impressive campaign, finishing second behind Porto in the league standings. He then guided the team to their third consecutive Primeira Liga title in 2019-20, beating Porto in the final match of the season. This success was a testament to Rafa's ability to build a strong team spirit and tactical nous, which helped him to achieve such success at Benfica.
Overall, Rafa's time at Benfica was marked by a combination of tactical brilliance and emotional commitment to the club. His leadership and ability to motivate players were key factors in the team's success, and he will be remembered fondly for his contribution to Portuguese football.