Benitez: no one has asked me to stay at Liverpool

[Vlads Quiff]

I think this is a bit of a flyer really.............

Reds manager hints that he feels disappointed about his treatment on eve of Europa League semi-final

By Ian Herbert

Thursday, 29 April 2010



Rafael Benitez on speculation surrounding his future: 'For one year I have been listening to stories about Martin O'Neill taking my job or [Jurgen] Klinsmann, [Frank] Rijkaard. [Jose] Mourinho, or Guus Hiddink - so I have to keep doing my job, focus on the next game'


Rafael Benitez has overshadowed the preparations for Liverpool's vital Europa League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid tonight by revealing that no senior figure at the club has sought reassurances from the manager that he wants to stay at Anfield.

Liverpool need to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg tonight as they attempt to retain their interest in the one competition where they can still win some silverware this season. However, with strong rumours linking Benitez with a move to Juventus, no one in the club's hierarchy has tried to talk the Spaniard into staying.

Asked if anyone in the senior management had urged him not to respond to any offer from Serie A, Benitez replied with a flat "no" and then hinted that he feels he should have been treated far better. "Everyone expects it will be like this," he said. "For one year I have been listening to stories about Martin O'Neill taking my job or [Jurgen] Klinsmann, [Frank] Rijkaard. [Jose] Mourinho, or Guus Hiddink – so I have to keep doing my job, focus on the next game."

Benitez is looking to his more experienced players, such as Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard to carry the side through on what might be the last European night of his tenure at Anfield. "We have some players here now who don't know what it means to win a trophy of this value," he said. "The players with experience will be pushing them against Atletico, they will have to be leaders and be really positive."

Asked if tonight's game is more important to than Sunday's meeting with Premier League leaders Chelsea, Benitez said: "This game is the bigger game. The opportunity to be in a European final is massive."

 

[Peatcheo]

Well Rafa you have been so good this season its only a matter of time before you get your ego massaging begging act from the club.

 

[SaintGeorge67]

They gave him a contract until 2015 or whatever... maybe that's why they don't have to ask you to stay

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=SaintGeorge67 link=topic=39989.msg1095345#msg1095345 date=1272498305]
They gave him a contract until 2015 or whatever... maybe that's why they don't have to ask you to stay
[/quote]

I know, like DUH!

 

[rebel23]

He said "No", the journalist is trying to put words in his mouth

 

[Skullflower]

He's a sensitive soul.

 

[Oncy]

Crap article. He hasn't said anything even remotely noteworthy.

 

[peekay]

Looks like Rafa has started playing his games. This one is by Tony Barrett

From The Times
April 29, 2010
Rafael Benítez left in dark over future
Tony Barrett

Rafael Benítez claimed last night that no one at Liverpool has attempted to talk him into remaining at Anfield in spite of mounting interest from Juventus.

Speculation about Benítez’s future has heightened in recent weeks because of the increasing likelihood of Liverpool losing their status as a top-four club and the intensification of Juventus’s very public efforts to convince the Spaniard that he should quit the Barclays Premier League for Serie A.

But the Liverpool manager is still waiting to meet Martin Broughton, the club’s new chairman, almost a fortnight after he was appointed.

Benítez has refused to rule himself out of the running for the Juventus coaching role and that he has implicitly questioned the determination of his employers to retain his services beyond this season will only add to the uncertainty over his position.

Benítez also revealed his irritation at seeing a steady succession of rival managers linked with his post at Anfield, particularly because Liverpool could end a hugely disappointing campaign on a high if they overcome a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Atlético Madrid tonight to reach next month’s Europa League final in Hamburg.

“No one has spoken to me [about my future],†Benítez said. “For one year I have been listening to stories about Martin O’Neill taking my job or Jürgen Klinsmann, José Mourinho, Frank Rijkaard or Guus Hiddink. I have to keep doing my job. All I can do is focus on the next game.â€

Benítez is only 12 months into a contract that is not due to expire until 2014, but Juventus believe that they can coax him away from Anfield by offering him the spending power he craves. Sources in Italy claimed yesterday that a deal to take Benítez to Juventus is “99 per cent doneâ€, although Manuel García Quillón, Benítez’s agent, has been at pains to point out that his client has not reached an agreement with any club.

The situation is complicated by Juventus holding an extraordinary general meeting today that is likely to result in Andrea Agnelli being named club president and given the ultimate say on who is appointed manager. This role hitherto has been designated to Jean-Claude Blanc, the president, who has been the main pursuer of Benítez.

Should Benítez walk out on Liverpool, it would remove the possibility of the club having to fund a £16 million payoff in the event of the 50-year-old being dismissed. They could also demand compensation from Juventus should the Spaniard join them.

Benítez will attempt tonight to guide Liverpool to their third European final during his tenure when they play Atlético at Anfield.

The club completed the signing of Jonjo Shelvey, a highly rated midfield player, from Charlton Athletic yesterday for an initial fee of £1.7 million. Although delighted with the acquisition of the 18-year-old, Benítez refused to be drawn by suggestions that the signing was an indication that his own future remained at Anfield, insisting that he was simply doing the right thing by the club.

“We have to play for the future,†Benítez said. “We have been working on the Shelvey deal for one year. I told the club that we had to do it.

“I watched him and decided he would be good for the future of the club. That means we are doing our job.

“I don’t want to keep talking about my future because I want to concentrate on Atlético Madrid.â€

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article7111103.ece

 

[gareth_thomas]

Media fucking vultures.

 

[mark1975]

Hmmm.. Al they've done is taken the original article and used the journo's question now as a direct quote from Rafa, typical stuff.

I'm sure he does want the ego massage he's craving for, but like he said himself, he's made mistakes.

 

[Terrier]

I wonder how soon after the season he would announce he's off to Juve. I hope it's before the WC to give us ample time to look for replacements.

 

[Rosco]

take a hint Rafa

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I can't see much wrong with what he's said (or hasn't said).

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39989.msg1095412#msg1095412 date=1272521725]
I can't see much wrong with what he's said (or hasn't said).
[/quote]

Doesn't matter. Just do what everyone else does and find fault with him and his comments.

 

[Squiggles]

He's wise enough to know how these comments would be interpreted by the english press, and it's foolish to pretend otherwise.

 

[Terrier]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39989.msg1095413#msg1095413 date=1272522088]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39989.msg1095412#msg1095412 date=1272521725]
I can't see much wrong with what he's said (or hasn't said).
[/quote]

Doesn't matter. Just do what everyone else does and find fault with him and his comments.
[/quote]


Considering you've withstood the utter pain of this season with admirable cause - How many more seasons would you give Benitez to turn it around?

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=39989.msg1095419#msg1095419 date=1272523198]
He's wise enough to know how these comments would be interpreted by the english press, and it's foolish to pretend otherwise.
[/quote]

Maybe he's wise enough to know that he's taking the piss out of the English Press. And they're falling for it.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Terrier link=topic=39989.msg1095421#msg1095421 date=1272523560]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39989.msg1095413#msg1095413 date=1272522088]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39989.msg1095412#msg1095412 date=1272521725]
I can't see much wrong with what he's said (or hasn't said).
[/quote]

Doesn't matter. Just do what everyone else does and find fault with him and his comments.
[/quote]


Considering you've withstood the utter pain of this season with admirable cause - How many more seasons would you give Benitez to turn it around?
[/quote]

Next season.

If it's a mess, then he's done as far as I'm concerned. Although the ownership isses would need to be resolved too before someone decent could be actually found and paid for.

 

[Terrier]

So one more season Ryan, ok, and what would be an acceptable achievement for him to remain beyond that? A title? Going from 7th To 1st would be a big ask.

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39989.msg1095424#msg1095424 date=1272523683]
[quote author=Terrier link=topic=39989.msg1095421#msg1095421 date=1272523560]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39989.msg1095413#msg1095413 date=1272522088]
[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=39989.msg1095412#msg1095412 date=1272521725]
I can't see much wrong with what he's said (or hasn't said).
[/quote]

Doesn't matter. Just do what everyone else does and find fault with him and his comments.
[/quote]


Considering you've withstood the utter pain of this season with admirable cause - How many more seasons would you give Benitez to turn it around?
[/quote]

Next season.

If it's a mess, then he's done as far as I'm concerned. Although the ownership isses would need to be resolved too before someone decent could be actually found and paid for.
[/quote]

same. two seasons of decline isn't a blip, its a trend.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Terrier link=topic=39989.msg1095431#msg1095431 date=1272524130]
So one more season Ryan, ok, and what would be an acceptable achievement for him to remain beyond that? A title? Going from 7th To 1st would be a big ask.
[/quote]

Fuck knows, a significant improvement on this season would be a start.

Kinda depends on who he brings in during the summer window too. We're not good enough at the moment, and need a few better players in order to close that gap.

It's too early to say, but I want improvement, just like every other supporter out there.

 

[Terrier]

So same question to you spider.....What's acceptable for next year

 

[TheBunnyman]

He's off. I don't know how anyone can fail to see it. In another interview on the BBC site, he was asked if the Jonjo Shelvey signing meant he was staying. You can hear his sly smile as he replies: 'It means I am concentrating on the Atletico Madrid game.'

 

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39989.msg1095433#msg1095433 date=1272524378]
[quote author=Terrier link=topic=39989.msg1095431#msg1095431 date=1272524130]
So one more season Ryan, ok, and what would be an acceptable achievement for him to remain beyond that? A title? Going from 7th To 1st would be a big ask.
[/quote]

Fuck knows, a significant improvement on this season would be a start.

Kinda depends on who he brings in during the summer window too. We're not good enough at the moment, and need a few better players in order to close that gap.

It's too early to say, but I want improvement, just like every other supporter out there.
[/quote]

He could hardly fail to improve on *this* season. What's the point of saying 'I want improvement' if you then give him 'one more season' after every backward step?

 

[Delinquent]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39989.msg1095433#msg1095433 date=1272524378]
[quote author=Terrier link=topic=39989.msg1095431#msg1095431 date=1272524130]
So one more season Ryan, ok, and what would be an acceptable achievement for him to remain beyond that? A title? Going from 7th To 1st would be a big ask.
[/quote]

Fuck knows, a significant improvement on this season would be a start.

Kinda depends on who he brings in during the summer window too. We're not good enough at the moment, and need a few better players in order to close that gap.

It's too early to say, but I want improvement, just like every other supporter out there.
[/quote]

Fourth would represent a significant improvement on this season's performance. Would that be enough?

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=Terrier link=topic=39989.msg1095434#msg1095434 date=1272524436]
So same question to you spider.....What's acceptable for next year
[/quote]

if the old owners are in place, a top 4 finish, if new owners are installed and he is given a decent kitty then a title challenge.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=39989.msg1095437#msg1095437 date=1272524670]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39989.msg1095433#msg1095433 date=1272524378]
[quote author=Terrier link=topic=39989.msg1095431#msg1095431 date=1272524130]
So one more season Ryan, ok, and what would be an acceptable achievement for him to remain beyond that? A title? Going from 7th To 1st would be a big ask.
[/quote]

Fuck knows, a significant improvement on this season would be a start.

Kinda depends on who he brings in during the summer window too. We're not good enough at the moment, and need a few better players in order to close that gap.

It's too early to say, but I want improvement, just like every other supporter out there.
[/quote]

He could hardly fail to improve on *this* season. What's the point of saying 'I want improvement' if you then give him 'one more season' after every backward step?

[/quote]

"A significant improvement" were my actual words, but anyway.

And I'm not offering one more season after every fucking backward step. This, in my view, has been his one bad season and as such he deserves another one to right it.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Delinquent link=topic=39989.msg1095440#msg1095440 date=1272524865]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=39989.msg1095433#msg1095433 date=1272524378]
[quote author=Terrier link=topic=39989.msg1095431#msg1095431 date=1272524130]
So one more season Ryan, ok, and what would be an acceptable achievement for him to remain beyond that? A title? Going from 7th To 1st would be a big ask.
[/quote]

Fuck knows, a significant improvement on this season would be a start.

Kinda depends on who he brings in during the summer window too. We're not good enough at the moment, and need a few better players in order to close that gap.

It's too early to say, but I want improvement, just like every other supporter out there.
[/quote]

Fourth would represent a significant improvement on this season's performance. Would that be enough?
[/quote]

Not if we end up 20/30 points behind the League winners, no.

 

[spider-Neil]

its only another year to suffer, fan favorite jose will be sacked from real regardless of whether he wins them the league or not. liverpool can make a belated approach for the special one.

 

[Oncy]

Go on then, I'll give him another year too.
It'll be fun.