Category — Liverpool
Benitez is out
After six seasons in charge, Benitez has agreed to relinquish his position as manager having agreed a settlement package with the Merseyside club.
The Anfield outfit endured a disappointing season in the Barclays Premier League last term, finishing in seventh place and failing to qualify for the Champions League.
Managing Director Christian Purslow and Club Ambassador Kenny Dalglish have been asked by the Board of Directors to begin a formal search to identify and assess potential candidates for the managerial position.
Chairman Martin Broughton told the club’s official website: “Rafa will forever be part of Liverpool folklore after bringing home the Champions League following the epic final in Istanbul but after a disappointing season both parties felt a fresh start would be best for all concerned.”
Rafael Benitez said: “It is very sad for me to announce that I will no longer be manager of Liverpool FC. I would like to thank all of the staff and players for their efforts.
“I’ll always keep in my heart the good times I’ve had here, the strong and loyal support of the fans in the tough times and the love from Liverpool. I have no words to thank you enough for all these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager.
“Thank you so much once more and always remember: You’ll never walk alone.”
During his tenure, Benitez’s oversaw the club’s Champions League final victory over AC Milan in 2005.
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June 4, 2010 No Comments
Benitez leaving Liverpool at last?
Liverpool have offered coach Rafael Benitez a three million pounds (4.5 million dollars) deal paving the way for the Spaniard to leave the club in the summer, The Times newspaper reported on Wednesday.
The report said the club’s board had proposed the deal to ease Benitez out after a disappointing season that saw the five-time European champions place seventh in the Premier League, missing out on lucrative Champions League qualification.
Benitez would normally be entitled to 16 million pounds in compensation for leaving early, having signed a five-year contract only in March of last year.
But with reported debts of 351 million pounds, Liverpool will not be able to manage that much and hopes of a compromise appear to be founded on the belief that the coach might walk if the club will not commit to major summer investment on new players.
The Times reported that the proposed budget for new blood will be just 15 million pounds — far short of what Benitez says he needs to take the club that he led to Champions League glory in 2005 to a higher level.
The paper added Benitez could be tempted to move to the post at freshly-crowned European champions Inter Milan after Jose Mourinho’s switch to Real Madrid.
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June 3, 2010 No Comments
Liverpool confirmed selling Alonso to Real
Liverpool have agreed a fee with Real Madrid for the transfer of midfielder Xabi Alonso.
The deal is now subject to Alonso passing a medical on Wednesday.
A statement on Liverpool’s website added: “The terms of the deal will remain confidential and undisclosed.”
Real Madrid have been courting Alonso for much of the summer, and he is set to join the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema at the Bernabeu.
Manager Rafael Benitez was keen to keep hold of the Spain international, who he signed from Real Sociedad in 2004.
Alonso has formed an impressive central midfield partnership with Javier Mascherano and was one of the club’s most consistent performers last season.
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August 5, 2009 No Comments
Benitez : Newcastle is no threat
Liverpool are clinging onto Manchester United’s coat-tails at the top of the Barclays Premier League while Newcastle are in the relegation zone, three points adrift of fourth-from-bottom Hull City.
The Merseysiders turned in one of their best performances of the season against the Magpies in December when they won 5-1 at St James’ Park.
However Benitez knows they are likely to face a much tougher test at Anfield on Sunday in a match vital to both clubs.
“We were really good that day,” said Benitez. “We were in control, we had a lot of chances and their goalkeeper (Shay Given) was man of the match. It was nearly a perfect game for us.”
Steven Gerrard, who has missed the last four matches with a groin injury, is set to return to face Alan Shearer’s side, but Manchester United could be six points clear of Liverpool at the top if they win at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
But whatever United’s result, Benitez knows his side simply have to win if they want to hold onto any hope of landing the title – and he insists a display similar to the one which blew Newcastle away last time the sides met is the requirement again.
“It will be different this time because they have a different manager and are in a different situation,” he added.
“And clearly they need to win, so I don’t think they will be waiting and waiting for a draw. They have quality players in attack.
“We just need to keep doing our job and we have the confidence to keep winning games. If Manchester United make a mistake then we have to be ready, so we must take three points from each game and then see what happens. We will not give up until the end.” – EPL
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May 1, 2009 No Comments
Torres put Liverpool back to top of league
Fernando Torres sent Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League as Rafael Benitez’s men plunged Blackburn deeper into trouble at the other end of the table with a 4-0 win at Anfield.
The Spanish striker ensured the contest was over by half-time, following up a fifth-minute volley with a header after 33 minutes to take his goal tally for the season to 14.
A long-range strike from Danish centreback Daniel Agger, seven minutes from the end, and a last-minute goal for young striker David Ngog completed a win that will have revived Liverpool’s spirits after their Champions League defeat by Chelsea on the same pitch in midweek.
The win lifted Liverpool two points clear of Manchester United ahead of the champions’ match at Sunderland later on Saturday.
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April 11, 2009 No Comments
