Benitez fued is over – Warnock

CARDIFF CITY manager Neil Warnock has admitted that his long feud with Rafa Benitez is finally over, after the former Sheffield United manager held Benitez partly responsible for the Blades’ relegation from the Premier League in 2006-’07.

On the penultimate weekend of the season, Benitez played a secondstring Liverpool side against Sheffield United’s relegation rivals Fulham ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League final, which was 18 days away. Fulham beat the Reds 1-0 and all but secured their Premier League status, making things harder for Sheffield United, who went down on the final day.

“At least I knew the players that were playing. I didn’t even know two of those that played for Liverpool at Fulham last week,” Warnock said at the time. “I’d never heard of them but when you are a foreign manager like Rafa Benitez, you probably don’t give two hoots about what Sheffield United think.”

In 2011, Warnock said he would always hold a grudge against the Spaniard for fielding a weakened team against his relegation rivals. “You don’t ever forget things like that. I’ll always remember that. Benitez sent me an email once saying that if I mentioned it again he’d take me to court,” he added.

However, the Cardiff manager appears to have a new outlook on the situation and suggested their feud is over. “Everything’s been said about what happened and we’ve met a few times since. Life’s too short and I’ve got to enjoy this now with a full house.

“The one person Newcastle can’t afford to lose is Rafa, I think they can get away with any player,” Warnock said at his pre-match press conference.

The pair meet again today and Benitez will want to extend his superior record of four wins and a draw in their five meetings.

Warnock also praised Newcastle’s controversial owner, Mike Ashley, who Benitez has appeared to have a challenging relationship with during his spell at St James’ Park. When asked if he is happy with Newcastle’s summer business, Benitez said he is pleased he has players who have experience playing in the Premier League.

“When I say that I am happy with our players who came in, it is because some of them know the Premier League and can give us something from day one,” Benitez said, before adding that he will refuse to let any more players leave.

“We will not allow anyone who is already in the team or part of the squad to go.” Cardiff City v Newcastle Utd, Live, Sky Sports, 12.30