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.
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 mbuttive 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 LiverpoolÕs tenth Barclays Premiership victory in a row, the second longest winning sequence in the clubÕs history.
-- XBL Gamertag: ScoopeX Currently Playing: Perfect Dark Zero - XBOX 360. Xbox.com - Founding member. :) EuroMillions lotto prize winner 06-01-06 £3,532.20. :)
