Jermaine Pennant criticizes Benitez management in Liverpool: “Gerrard was the player manager”

Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has harshly criticized Rafa Benitez’s leadership style while on Anfield.

Benitez, 61, was recently announced as Everton’s new manager, much to the frustration of some fans given his affiliation with arch-rivals Liverpool, where the Spaniard oversaw a very successful period between 2004 and 2010.

The Madrid-born tactician led the Reds to two Champions League finals and was known for mastering the ‘Istanbul Miracle’, with his side trailing Milan three goals at half-time and winning on penalties. He also won the 2006 FA Cup.

Given his heroics at Anfield and the deep bond he has with Liverpool, some Evertonians were less impressed with the appointment as the well-respected manager succeeded Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park, who returned to Real Madrid in June.

Pennant has now fueled the flames of that discontent by verbally infecting his ex-manager, whom he referred to as the “poor manager,” before explaining how Gerrard essentially ruled the roost and led the team conversations.

“Look, it’s different for every player, different players will react differently to Rafa,” said Pennant talkSPORT.

“But he wasn’t a great manager in my eyes. His skills in this department were lacking.

“Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have also made this public that they find it difficult.

“I felt like it was difficult to approach him, have a conversation, and maybe talk about certain situations on and off the pitch.

“He didn’t come up to you, he wouldn’t grab you by the side and talk about anything you need to discuss. He kind of left it to Gerrard.

“Especially in big games, if things weren’t going so well at half-time, he wouldn’t point his fingers, shout instructions and tell you what to do to win the game.

“It would have been Steven who would have come in to numb and blind you.

“Back then I didn’t want to annoy Gerrard first and then my manager. Steven was the player manager. I think every player will take on him differently. “

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“Sorry Everton fans! The club will stagnate under him ‘

Despite an explosive start to the 2020/21 season, with Everton winning their first four games and new recruits James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure all settling in well, the Toffees’ form plummeted and the club eventually finished 10th. Place when European football looked anticipating at one point.

Benitez’s job will be to build on and make sure the club scores higher to get into continental football, as well as removing the stigma of the “Everton Cup” where the Merseysiders are regularly ridiculed for being apparently always just below the The title challengers of the Premier League – or “Big Six”.

Pennant, who played 81 games for Liverpool in three years between 2006 and 2009, however, does not believe Benitez has the managerial skills to oversee such a revolution at Goodison Park but believes the club will “stagnate” under his supervision.

“Will he set it on fire in Everton? Will he take her to the next level? Personally, I don’t think he will. Sorry Everton fans! ”Pennant continued.

“He’s a legend in Liverpool for that famous game that came back after a 3-0 deficit in the Champions League, 100 percent driven by Gerrard, and I know it.

“After Liverpool, you’ll see where he was … Newcastle, he didn’t actually set her on fire, he kept her afloat.

“I just feel like he’s going to stagnate a bit at Everton.”

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