Liverpool FC Forum

KOPTALK
Benitez resigns following Chelsea Gerrard swoop

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has resigned as manager of the club following a row over the proposed sale of Steven Gerrard to Chelsea.

The Spaniard resigned following a scheduled monthly board meeting on Thursday in which he was informed that his Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard would be sold to Chelsea in the summer for £47million after a fee was agreed on Tuesday of this week.

There have been suggestions though that advisors representing Benitez held secret talks with Real Madrid earlier this week with the view of taking over the Spanish giants at the end of the season. News of those talks are said to have alerted Anfield chiefs which has further complicated things.

Speaking live on Sky Sports News this evening, Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry read out the following statement: "The board of directors have this evening terminated the contract of Rafael Benitez with immediate effect. Academy director Steve Heighway will take control of the first team until a replacement is found."

Asked if it was true if the club had agreed a fee with Chelsea to sell them Steven Gerrard, Parry simply refused to comment and said a further statement would be released at Friday's pre-match press gathering which could prove to be a heated affair.

Reports in London claim that Chelsea have already made a down payment of £23.5million in cash (50% of the total transfer fee that has been quoted) and that goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini is also included in the deal.

Chelsea refused to comment this evening on the developments at Anfield but it was interesting to note that Sky Sports will be showing their pre-match press conference live tomorrow afternoon.

Steven Gerrard's agents SFX refused to speak to Sky Sports but Rafa's agent Manuel Garcia Quilon did say that he would comment "when appropriate".

Reports in Spain claim that Rafael Benitez will take over as manager of Real Madrid some time next week.