Rafael Benitez
16-Apr-1960
Spain
Football Coach
Benítez was named Valencia coach and won La Liga in the 2001-02 season. In 2004, another La Liga title and UEFA Cup victory were added to the foundation laid by Héctor Cúper who had taken Valencia to two consecutive Champions League finals; in 2000 against Real Madrid, and in 2001 against Bayern Munich.
Benítez's father, Francisco, worked as a hotel manager. His mother is Rosario Maudes. Rosario was a big fan of football and supported Real Madrid, while his father supported Atlético Madrid. Francisco died in December 2005 while Benítez was in Japan at the FIFA Club World Championship.
Rafael Benítez married Maria de Montserrat in 1998. They have two daughters, Claudia, born in Madrid in 1999, and Atagata, born in Valencia in 2002. Benítez speaks fluent Spanish, English, and Italian.