Liverpool FC Forum

[zarababe]

From the BBC:

Benitez rejected new Real offer 

Benitez led Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has said he recently rejected a fresh approach from Real Madrid in a contract more lucrative than his current Reds deal.
The Spaniard's camp has also suggested Benitez was ahead of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho on Real's managerial targets.

"I said no to Real when they offered me more money than I get here, even though there maybe were greater expectations," said Benitez.

"Madrid may be my town but I am happy here and pleased with everything."

Benitez turned down an offer from the Bernabeu club last summer and the Spaniard has consistently been linked to the club where he has played and coached.

But Benitez is keen to stay at Anfield to help the club prosper under new American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

This is a project, it is my club, my team, my players and the fans are always behind us

Rafael Benitez

"We want to stay because of the new ideas and the new owners are very exciting," added Benitez.

"It was not a difficult decision. I have an objective here, I explained that when I spoke to the new owners and they told me they would be supportive.

"I do not like to talk about my family but they are really happy here at Liverpool and I am prepared to have my daughter with a Scouse accent, even though it is sometimes a problem for me!

"I want to make it clear that I said no to a good offer. That is because we are happy, it is not a question of money.

"This is a project, it is my club, my team, my players and the fans are always behind us. I am really happy here for all these things together."

Liverpool opened talks over new deals for Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso, Jose Reina and Luis Garcia a couple of weeks ago.


Gerrard is one of the players discussing new deals at Anfield

Discussions are ongoing but Benitez insists he wants speculation about any deals to stop so Liverpool can focus on their Champions League campaign.

Liverpool play Chelsea in the first leg of their semi-final in Europe's elite competition at Stamford Bridge on 25 April.

"I do not want to talk anymore about the players' contract discussions," stated Benitez.

"I wanted us to show them I had confidence in them and I would like to see all of them here in the future - the people in charge of the club agree.

"But we are trying to progress, I tried to be positive with them and show the players we want to progress. But if we cannot do it quickly, we will wait and talk after the Champions League.

"It is clear we want to keep these players and to keep them happy here. I have confidence because the conversations were good but maybe now for this next few weeks it is time to finish talking.

"If we have an agreement okay, if we do not have an agreement we have shown them that we are interested in their futures.

"But now I want to focus on football and the Champions League."

--------------------

Fantastic news and shows the new era with the new owners has secured his services and hopefully of some key players !

[Ciggy]

Just heard about this and also what Hicks said

"Rafa is not going anywhere. He's under contract and he told me that his wife has said that if he ever did go, he'd have to go without her because she's staying in Liverpool," said Hicks.

Well in Montse luv 

[jonnymac1979]

Boss Rafa. 

[zarababe]

what about rafa:

"I do not like to talk about my family but they are really happy here at Liverpool and I am prepared to have my daughter with a Scouse accent, even though it is sometimes a problem for me!  

[jaytoothetee]

what about rafa:

"I do not like to talk about my family but they are really happy here at Liverpool and I am prepared to have my daughter with a Scouse accent, even though it is sometimes a problem for me!  

, added rafa

[Dundalk]

This is a project, it is my club, my team, my players and the fans are always behind us

[matrix]

great news on rafa...   

  did we ever think he was going anwhere...     

rafa higher up madrid's  list than maureen...   

[RUSHIE#9]

what about rafa:

"I do not like to talk about my family but they are really happy here at Liverpool and I am prepared to have my daughter with a Scouse accent, even though it is sometimes a problem for me!  

You've just gotta luv the guy!

But not in a gay way!

This is great news though and means that the summer can be solely about strengthening the squad.

[Tobin*LFC*]

great news   so glad rafa is staying and wouldnt go for any money that is thrown at him, he must love it at meseyside!!

[jaytoothetee]

:D what about rafa:

"I do not like to talk about my family but they are really happy here at Liverpool and I am prepared to have my daughter with a Scouse accent, even though it is sometimes a problem for me!  

You've just gotta luv the guy!

But not in a gay way!

This is great news though and means that the summer can be solely about strengthening the squad.

why not

[Sabre]

No surprises, it was obvious he was comfortable working here. And the bit that he rejected more money showed it.

Hilarious to see the reaction in Madrid, Marca is bitter about this refusal, "It's the second time he dismisses Madrid" they moan, as if that was unacceptable . Some home truths will be handy in order they realise money is not all, and that serious work and decent management also counts.

Within the diplomatic words of Rafa concerning the player contract talks, I read between lines that there's a case or two in which the talks are being more difficult than expected... it's not a fact of course, I'm speculating, but I'm a bit familiar with this kind of talk and in many cases it means that. At least by " if we do not have an agreement we have shown them that we are interested in their futures " I understand "we have offered them a more than decent offer so they can't blame the money nor the confidence for not staying".

[jaytoothetee]

No surprises, it was obvious he was comfortable working here. And the bit that he rejected more money showed it.

Hilarious to see the reaction in Madrid, Marca is bitter about this refusal, "It's the second time he dismisses Madrid" they moan, as if that was unacceptable . Some home truths will be handy in order they realise money is not all, and that serious work and decent management also counts.

Within the diplomatic words of Rafa concerning the player contract talks, I read between lines that there's a case or two in which the talks are being more difficult than expected... it's not a fact of course, I'm speculating, but I'm a bit familiar with this kind of talk and in many cases it means that. At least by " if we do not have an agreement we have shown them that we are interested in their futures " I understand "we have offered them a more than decent offer so they can't blame the money nor the confidence for not staying".

i thought he was trying to make it clear that the team is more than their own contract to be honest, when he said about discussions ending for a few weeks, although i do agree with your point. this would most likely involve xabi, if we can get him to sign a new contract now then he'll defo not be going to barca in the summer. but rafa did also imply that talks may not be going that well with some players when he said "if we cannot do it quickly, we will have to wait..." he sounds a bit frustrated that the players haven't got this out of the way quickly. just my view anyway, and at the end of the day does anyone really understand rafa? 

[Gracias King Rafa]

Good on ya Montse!

Does she wear the trousers in the Benitez household?

[CarlosRocks]

thats great news, im glad he's gonna be staying with us a while longer...

[lakes10]

thats great news, just hope he can sort this thing out about us slipping up when we play lower teams lol.