Liverpool FC Forum

by **lurd** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 10:24 am

Rafael Benitez is poised to enter talks with Liverpool about the vacant manager's job within the next 48 hours, according to his agent.
Manuel Garcia Quilon, who represents Benitez, insisted no negotiations had so far taken place with Liverpool.

But he told BBC Sport that there would be developments "in the next few days".

Benitez, 44, is serving a notice period after quitting Valencia on 1 June and is favourite to take over at Anfield following Gerard Houllier's sacking.

Benitez has already been replaced at Valencia, by the former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri.

Valencia appoint Ranieri

Other European clubs are reportedly interested in the sought-after Spaniard, who won the Primera Liga title and Uefa Cup with Valencia this season.

But Benitez, who rejected the offer of a two-year deal at the Spanish club, is believed to want to test himself in the Premiership.

Liverpool had been waiting for chief executive Rick Parry to return from holiday to finalise details concerning the appointment of a new manager.

Now that Parry is back on Merseyside, the club are expected to make an announcement shortly on who will replace Houllier.

Benitez is also said to have the backing of Liverpool striker Michael Owen, who has long admired the Spaniard's style of play.

by **Boocity** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 10:44 am

lurd wrote:Liverpool had been waiting for chief executive Rick Parry to return from holiday to finalise details concerning the appointment of a new manager.

I wish he would make a decision, anouncement, anything

by **stmichael** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 11:10 am

have information from a very good source, whom I would trust implicitly regarding all things Liverpool FC (and who will NOT be named no matter how much anyone asks, to protect his integrity) as to why there is a delay in naming Benitez...

and it's good!

The story is thus... Valencia know, as we all do, that Liverpool spoke to Benitez while he was still employed by Valencia.However, Valencia also knew Benitez was going anyway, and they could not keep him, but want to get some compo out of us for poaching their manager.

This much everyone knows...

But... Liverpool agreed to act as if nothing was happening (hence the deafening silence) until Valencia could appoint a new manager to placate the fans... Valencia wanted claudio, as an old hero, to keep the fans happy, and it was not until they employed him that Liverpool could properly put the wheels in motion.

Also, Liverpool ARE prepared to pay SOME compo to Valencia, to stave off lengthy and costly court proceedings, but are paying it on the condition of first refusal, under request by Benitez, on Valencias players when selling.

The delay, therefore, at the minute is...

Liverpool are in talks with Valencia and the players about two, and possibly all three of, Aimar, Ayala and Canizares, and are hoping to go for the BIG announcement on Friday (without the players in attendence, obviously) of not only the new manager, but also several new players.

We wait in hope.

:cool:

by **lurd** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 11:16 am

Well St Michael, it certainly makes sense in the fact that there has been no news in the last week or so. I also heard about Ayala / Aimar from an ex Liverpool player( Unnamed) who i was chatting with in town last Friday night. Lets hope the rumours come true.

by **Boocity** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 11:24 am

Agreed, we wait with baited breath

by **Big Niall** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 11:39 am

If there is no announcement on Friday, can we all go around to stMichaels place and bash him?

by **anfieldadorer** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 11:40 am

I'd say it's gonna be this evening.

by **stmichael** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 11:44 am

Big Niall wrote:If there is no announcement on Friday, can we all go around to stMichaels place and bash him?

by **Scottbot** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 11:52 am

Great news. We all know Benitez is coming but the waiting is killing me! Looks like he will be bringing a few players with him. I like Ayala although he is a bit short of pace. Canizares is a quality keeper who i have always rated but i hope we keep hold of Kirkland. Aimar is skillful but i am not convinced he has the strength to play in the English game. I think it would take him a season to acclimatise - Why not buy a player readt made for the Premiership like a Malbranque?

by **Paul C** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 11:59 am

There hasn't been any news about this since Tuesday!!!

by **stmichael** » Fri Jun 11, 2004 11:59 am

Scottbot wrote:Why not buy a player ready made for the Premiership like a Malbranque?

i have said for ages that he is the one player that we should attempt to buy because he has class written all over him. the problem is that he is fulham's most valuable asset and they would probably stick some ridiculous price tag on him.

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