Published: 23 March 2007
Rafael Benitez has vowed to resist the anticipated lure of Real Madrid after receiving his own assurances from Liverpool's new owners, George Gillett Jnr and Tom Hicks, that substantial transfer funds would be placed at his disposal this summer.
The Liverpool manager had voiced concerns over a lack of communication from the Americans since they acquired an 80.7 per cent stake in the club earlier this month, uncertainty that fuelled further reports that Real would make a fresh play for their former employee if, as expected, they dispense with Fabio Capello at the end of this season.
While not au fait with the intricacies of association football, the impending co-chairmen have quickly discovered the power of the coach in their new sport and, following a flurry of e-mails from Hicks and a lengthy telephone call from Gillett, the Spaniard has been assured that he is fundamental to their long-term plans for Liverpool and, crucially, will be able to compete for the key signings he believes are necessary to sustain a Premiership title challenge next season.
"It's clear I have always wanted to stay and now I'm even more determined to stay," said Benitez yesterday. "I think it's important the fans know I am completely committed to Liverpool Football Club and I'm going nowhere. I've had some extremely positive discussions with the new owners and share their enthusiasm and determination to take this club back to the very top. All the contact I've had with the American owners has been positive and now I feel the situation is under control. It was important for me to hear their ideas.
"I will be sitting down shortly with both Mr Gillett and Mr Hicks to discuss things face to face, but an enormous amount of work is already under way in preparation for the way forward."
The Americans have scheduled a formal meeting with the manager following their next visit to Liverpool, for the home game against Arsenal on 31 March, and will have to back their promises with cash to prevent Benitez's head turning towards the club he supported as a boy and worked for as a player, youth, reserve and first-team coach. Benitez added: "Any manager would be honoured to be associated with such a famous club, especially as Madrid is my home city and also my former club. However, I want to make it clear I am very happy at Anfield and very happy in England and I'm excited by what the future holds for Liverpool."
Explaining the delay in talking to Benitez, Hicks said yesterday: "We will officially own the team some time next week when the tender closes. It would be very inappropriate for us to start and have those kind of important meetings prior to being the owners."
now we can relax... not that i bother about wtf you read in some of the british rags, i hardly buy papers i get all my info from the internet, and from newkit...
RAFAEL BENITEZ...
