• Following spells at Real Valladolid, Osasuna, Extremadura and Tenerife with mixed success, Benitez was appointed Valencia manager in 2001.
  • Immediate success followed, Valencia won La Liga in 2001/02 season. Benitez picked up Manager of the Year from Don Balon and El Pais.
  • A rich vein of form continues in 2004, another league title is added plus a European trophy in the form of the UEFA Cup.
  • Lack of investment caused friction between Rafa and Valencia's club director so in June 2004 Benitez joined Liverpool.
  • It doesn't take him long to sprinkle his magic dust on the Reds, with the 2005 UEFA Champions League secured in dramatic fashion.
  • The Kop takes quickly to their Spanish coach, Benitez soon embraced as an honorary Scouser.
  • Benitez's reputation continues to rise as he helps guide Liverpool to the 2006 FA Cup, beating West Ham on penalties after drawing 3-3 in normal time.
  • European heartache for Benitez and co in 2007 as they come unstuck against AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League final.
  • Benitez convinces his countryman Fernando Torres to join him on Merseyside, the striker proves to be a huge success.
  • Not all of Benitez's transfer dealings prove so successful, Robbie Keane among those to struggle at Anfield.
  • Liverpool come agonisingly close to landing the Holy Grail in 2008/09, but the Premier League title eludes Benitez once again.
  • The beginning of the end for Benitez as the 2009/10 campaign sees Liverpool stumble to a seventh-placed finish.
  • Some supporters refuse to give up on their boss, confident Benitez remains the ideal candidate for the job.
  • Benitez waves goodbye in June 2010 after six years at the Anfield helm, opening the door to a new chapter in Liverpool's history.
  • A few days after leaving Liverpool, Rafael Benitez is appointed the new head coach of Serie A and Champions League champions Inter Milan.
  • In August 2010 a 3-1 victory over AS Roma in the Italian Super Cup lands Benitez his first silverware at the club.
  • Disappointment follows in the UEFA Super Cup, Inter lose 2-0 to Europa League champions Atletico Madrid.
  • The Spanish manager's position at the San Siro was under threat by the time Tottenham Hotspur beat his side in the Champions League.
  • Winning the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi is too little too late and the Spaniard is axed two days before Christmas.
  • Appointed as interim Chelsea manager following the departure of Roberto di Matteo
  • On the touchline at Middlesbrough prior to his outburst after the FA Cup fifth round victory

Rafael Benitez

Following spells at Real Valladolid, Osasuna, Extremadura and Tenerife with mixed success, Benitez was appointed Valencia manager in 2001.