OTD - 16 June

27 Jun 2018
2004: Liverpool name Rafael Benitez manager

Rafael Benitez became the first Spaniard to manage in the Premier League after taking over at Liverpool.

Benitez won LaLiga and the UEFA Cup with Valencia the previous season, and maintained the winning feeling in a dream debut season at Anfield.

The Spaniard led Liverpool to victory in the Champions League final, with the Reds coming from 3-0 down to earn a 3-3 draw against AC Milan before winning on penalties.

Liverpool finished third the following season and earned their joint-best PL finish under Benitez in 2008/09, ending as runners-up behind Manchester United.

Benitez left in 2010, having also won the FA Cup in his six years at Anfield.

2014: Ronald Koeman appointed Southampton manager

Southampton appointed Ronald Koeman as manager, succeeding Mauricio Pochettino after his move to Tottenham Hotspur the previous month.

Koeman, who enjoyed a stellar playing career most notably for Barcelona and the Netherlands, had left Feyenoord at the end of 2013/14.

The Dutchman led Southampton to a club-record seventh-place finish in his first Premier League campaign.

Koeman surpassed that the following season by guiding Saints to sixth place and a club record of 63 points in 2015/16.

He left in the summer of 2016 before taking over as Everton manager.

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