Paul Eaton 02 May 2007 George Gillett basked in the euphoria of watching Liverpool book their place in the Champions League final and then paid a glowing tribute to manager Rafael Benitez. | ||||
Gillett watched proudly from the Director's Box last night as Benitez led the Reds to the seventh European Cup final in the club's history. A date in Athens now beckons on May 23 when Liverpool will take on AC Milan or Manchester United for the biggest prize in European football. "Rafa has been tremendous. My sons and I followed the sport here before we came; we knew about Rafa Benitez and what he had done in Europe," said Gillett. "We knew of him but I don't think we realised how good he was, and not just as a coach. "Not only was he a brilliant coach but he is a very sharp, savvy businessman. He knows what he wants and how to get it. "The more we have seen of him the more impressed we have become. We have talked money but that is not the main point. We have discovered that the way people operate privately is not always the same as in public.
Gillett spent the minutes after the final whistle shaking hands and hugging supporters as Anfield united as one to celebrate our second Champions League final appearance in the space of three seasons. "You bet I will be in Athens, I have seen some marvellous games already in Europe and that will be another," he said. "I am hugely impressed by the way myself and my family have been received here, it is truly wonderful, that is why I wanted to share the moment with the fans. "They are amazing. Everywhere Tom and I go it is the same, people are pleased and so welcoming. I wanted to shake their hands, to embrace them at the end because they had been magnificent for their team. "It is all about them, it is not about us. The success since we have been here has been marvellous, I just wanted to thank them. I suppose chairmen don't do that sort of thing usually but it is just how I feel about them." |
Wednesday 2 May 2007
GILLETT BLOWN AWAY BY RAFA BRILLIANCE
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