i dont think anyone's saying he's whiter than white.
I really think the Rafa haters should forgive his failings if only because he put us back on the map as a leading force in Europe which added to the tradition founded by Shankly and and Paisley.
When we're going through tough times we need to stick together. And one of the things that keeps us going during bad times is our history and tradition. Part of that is the fact that barring poor Roy who was perhaps the wrong man at the wrong time, every other manager going back to Shankly has put a trophy in the cupboard. It's because of this that we can create banners honouring a string of managers. I don't thin there is any other club that can do that.
So I urge Rafa haters to accept him as one of our family, a worthy member of the pantheon of great managers and worth a place in a banner with Shankly, Paisley, Fagan, Dalglish and Houllier at least.
We concede he wasn't perfect, he had significant shortcomings in the end, and maybe it was time for him to go when he did. But he earned a special place in our hearts and history which we should acknowledge.
