Rafa Benitez unveils the greatest player he has ever guided to Cristiano Ronaldo and other big stars

RAFA BENITEZ has revealed who is the greatest player he has ever managed, choosing among other things to snub Cristiano Ronaldo.

The veteran boss was asked the question while on duty ahead of his former side Newcastle against Manchester City.

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Benitez has managed the likes of CR7, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid while also managing Samuel Eto’o at Inter Milan and Eden Hazard at Chelsea but another has been named the best.

The Spaniard didn’t think about his answer and immediately responded with Steven Gerrard’s name.

Benitez managed the Liverpool legend during his six-year stint at Anfield.

The club won the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup in 2006 while the duo worked together.

Gerrard played 292 times under Benitez, scoring 104 goals for Liverpool.

Last year, Benitez once again named the midfielder ahead of other stars who were his favourites.

He said: “Gerrard was the best player I’ve ever coached.

“He was a great, great player, a fantastic player and he’s a young manager now.

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“What I would say to him now is listen and try to learn from everyone.”

Like Benitez following his sacking from Aston Villa, Gerrard is currently out of management.

Still, the ex-England star has surprisingly been linked with a return to Paris Saint-Germain and Poland national team.

He has also been linked to recent job vacancies at Leeds and Southampton.

Meanwhile, Benitez is reportedly an option for West Ham if they sack David Moyes.

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