I think there's a big difference between "respecting" the manager and saying he has been "hugely successful". i really don't think he has been hugely successful as he's been at the club four years, we've never at any stage whatsoever challenged for the league title, we haven't beaten Manchester United in the league Home or Away, have we beaten Chelsea in the league? Arsenal once is it? I don't know I don't do stats and my memories gone, but I do remember us getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Burnley and then this year by Barnsley. We've spent well over 100 million quid in the last 14 months and the juries still out on whether we are a better team than we were two years ago , so I wouldn't describe that as being "hugely" successful.
Thats not to say in any way that I don't think he's done a decent enough job, because I think he has. He's bought reasonably well, we've obviously outperformed in Europe particularly in that first season with a substandard Houllier team, and in the main I think he can be pretty proud of what he's done. He has though made many mistakes, repeating many of them season after season (indeed arguably we are in the midst of repeating them already this season what with out lack of quality width) so I couldn't describe him as being "hugely" successful no.
Obviously though, I do respect him and think he's a good manager. He's impressed me most with his defensive coaching, which I think has been top drawer.
Thats where i can't get on with the died in the wool "in Rafa we trust"er, he's done a reasonable enough job but he's no God in my eyes. Funnily enough, those same people are the ones that will jump all over Gerrards back at the first chance, I only wish Rafa was a s good at his job as Gerrard is at his.