Rafael Benitez has today completed an impressive double by being
named Barclays Manager of the Month for the second month
running.
The Liverpool boss followed up his award in November by steering
the Reds to another impressive series of results throughout
December.
All four league games during the month - against Middlesbrough,
Newcastle, Everton and West Brom - resulted in deserved victories
for the Reds, while a valuable Champions League point was also
claimed at Chelsea as Liverpool finished top of their qualifying
group.
Rafael Benitez, Rafa, Manager Of The Month
The decision was made by the Barclays Awards Panel, which includes
representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and
fans.
Nic Gault, from the Barclays Awards Panel, said: "If this form
continues then the Anfield faithful will have plenty of reasons to
paint the town red in 2006. Benitez's achievement of back to back
wins throughout November and December is a massive
achievement."
Benitez becomes one of only a handful of managers to win back to
back awards in Barclays Premiership history. Ironically, his double
success comes hot on the heels of Paul Jewell (Wigan Athletic) who
won Barclays Manager of the Month for September and October. The
only other managers to have achieved this feat include Kevin Keegan
(Newcastle Utd, 1995), Joe Kinnear (Wimbledon, 1994) and Sir Alex
Ferguson (Man Utd, 1996).
The defeat of West Brom on New Years Eve was Liverpools tenth
Barclays Premiership victory in a row, the second longest winning
sequence in the clubs history.
