Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez has been hailed as a “tactical genius” by former Liverpool star, John Arne Riise.
The Chronicle reports that the former Norwegian international told Sky Sports:
“Benitez is so hard-working, he’s a tactical genius.
“I still keep in touch with Rafa and I really do wish him well.
“He’s the best manager I’ve had and somebody I shared so much with together.”
The full back must have been torn as he watched former club Fulham beat a team managed by a man he rates so highly. No, loyalties are club before manager in Riise’s world; he wasn’t “unhappy” with the Cottagers Friday night win.
Not that he expects Newcastle to remain in the Championship:
“It’s a very competitive league and I think it’s different to what Benitez has experienced before in terms of the way games are played.
“Benitez will need to adapt a little bit but he is brilliant and he will do that.”
