Liverpool FC Forum

by **SouthCoastShankly** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:44 pm

Real Madrid choose Benitez

Real Madrid have identified Rafael Benítez, rather than José Mourinho, as the leading candidate to become their new coach and are planning to lure him from Liverpool by making an offer that they believe he cannot refuse. With the Spaniard unsettled at Anfield, as he awaits reassurances from Liverpool’s new American owners, Real believe that they can tempt him back to his native Madrid by offering greater control than any other coach has had at the Bernabéu.

Benítez rejected an approach from Real 12 months ago, partly because his misgivings about the regime that was taking shape in Madrid, but a series of changes behind the scenes have laid the groundwork for a renewed bid to sign the Liverpool manager. In recognition of the need to allow their next coach more power than they have given the beleaguered Fabio Capello, Real have made moves to marginalise Predrag Mijatovic, the sporting director, and to promote a friend of Benítez, Juan Ángel Sánchez, in a role as general manager that has been designed to avoid any conflicts of interest with the next coach.

Real plan to sound out Benítez via his agent, Manuel García Quillon, in the next fortnight, having detected that his position at Anfield is becoming unstable. The Spaniard expressed concern last week at the fact that he had not been contacted by George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks, the American sports tycoons, since they bought a 62 per cent stake in the club in early February.

He was piqued by their failure to speak to him when they visited Anfield for the Champions League match against Barcelona two weeks ago. While he has since been placated by a number of conciliatory e-mails from the United States, Benítez is understood to be demanding serious reassurances when the Americans, whose takeover is complete, return to Merseyside for the Barclays Premiership match against Arsenal on March 31.

Last night, Benítez offered observations on the new regime at Real in an interview with Revista de La Liga, Sky Sports’ Spanish football programme. “From a distance, you know that they are changing things,” he said. “They have enough quality and players with experience. It’s difficult when you are in another country to talk about their squad, but they have very good players.

“I know that the people are talking [about him], but I like to be focused on my team because we are trying to finish in the top four [in the Premiership] and we are playing in the Champions League.”

That at least is encouraging for Liverpool, but Benítez is eager to know whether he will have the money to strengthen the squad in the summer. Although Liverpool have had success in the Champions League this season, Benítez believes that they are at least two top-class players short of a team who will challenge for the Premiership title next season. Gillett and Hicks have offered assurances that there will be money available — with those assurances backed by Rick Parry, the chief executive — but Benítez wants to know how much, with uncertainty about whether he will have the funds to compete for a centre forward of the calibre of David Villa, of Valencia, or Samuel Eto’o, of Barcelona.

“It’s important to know the ideas of the new owners and they need to know my ideas,” Benítez said. “It’s important to know what will happen in the future. Will there be a new stadium and maybe more money coming in? We need to do the right things.”

Liverpool are confident that Benítez will stay at Anfield beyond his present contract, which expires in 2010, and are encouraged not only by his commitment to investing in better players at youth level but also by his decision to buy a new house for his family in The Wirral. But they also recognise that the attraction of Real is strong for a man who was born in Madrid, supported the club and played for their reserve team before spending several years on their coaching staff.

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Thoughts?

I just hope Rafa's promise to honour his contract remains intact.

by **KRobbo10** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:55 pm

To be honest I think every time there is a vacancy at Real Madrid Rafa is going to be linked with it. I honestly don't think he is gonna go anywhere yet.

But I do believe he will go there one day and who can blame him as he is a Real Madrid fan.

I think the big thing is that he is giving the money by our board to get the players he wants to make a serious challenge.

by **Emerald Red** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:08 pm

Real think they can do these things as if it's their God given right. The club is so commericalised these days, it's sickening. I think this typifies Rafa's original stance on not joining the club. They seem more concerned with creating revenue than being a serious trophy collecting side these days, with the signings of the likes of Beckham and the Pepsi crew, as I call them, showing this.

by **Scottbot** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:41 pm

I'm not particularly worried because we have heard it all before but i hope the clubs new owners aren't complacent about Rafa's future. I can understand why he would be a bit :censored:

that they did not meet with him on the night of the Barca game if for nothing else then to congratulate him in person for achieving such a fantastic result. Parry is fully aware that Real covet our manager so i imagine (and hope) he will always be on his toes. the sooner they sit down with him and talk about their plans the better.

by **CardinalRed** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:45 pm

We'll be twitching all bloody summer now......!

:cool:

by **Novo** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 7:56 pm

Benitez stay.Leaving Liverpool and not win Premiership...I don´t think so.

by **103-1173783836** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:22 pm

Thats a shame if he goes as he's doing such a good job at your place - anyone for forth?

by **wrighty (not mark!)** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:25 pm

garyneville wrote:Thats a shame if he goes as he's doing such a good job at your place - anyone for forth?

Anyone for a 6th champions league title?

we've won five theyve won 2, manutd are a load of poo na na na na hey! na na na na hey!

You've done well in the league this season no doubt but show some respect

by **103-1173783836** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:30 pm

Thanks , sorry no disrespect he's doing a good job.

Good luck aggainst PSV as I fancy us aggainst you in the final.

by **wrighty (not mark!)** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:33 pm

garyneville wrote:Thanks , sorry no disrespect he's doing a good job.

Good luck aggainst PSV as I fancy us aggainst you in the final.

Appreciate it. It would be one hell of a final I agree.

by **gato_busta** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:43 pm

I dont think Benitez would leave to Real Madrid. Liverpool finally has new investment which will help him get the players he wants. With the new investment we wont miss out on players such as Alves (from what I've seen of him, we should have payed what they asked for). In Real Madrid he would not have as much freedom in getting players he wants either so it wouldn't be wise for him. Finally, he hasn't won the Premier yet and Rafa is not a quitter

by **Lando_Griffin** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 2:32 am

They can just f*ck right off.

He's the best manager in the World, and we should do everything to keep him here.

Note to Real Madrid:

GET FUCKED.

by **cheesecake** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 5:52 am

Lando_Griffin wrote:They can just f*ck right off.

He's the best manager in the World, and we should do everything to keep him here.

Note to Real Madrid:

GET FUCKED.

I think these are the thoughts of most Liverpool supporters. However, every man has his price, and I just dont think that Benitez will ultimately resist when Madrid come knocking with lorry full of cash as incentive. I wont begrudge him if he does. Anyway, why wouldnt Madrid continue to ask? After the way they have raped and pillaged our club in the past (e.g. Owen, McManaman), luring Benitez back to his homeland shouldnt prove too difficult.

by **Lando_Griffin** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 5:58 am

cheesecake wrote:
Lando_Griffin wrote:They can just f*ck right off.

He's the best manager in the World, and we should do everything to keep him here.

Note to Real Madrid:

GET FUCKED.

I think these are the thoughts of most Liverpool supporters. However, every man has his price, and I just dont think that Benitez will ultimately resist when Madrid come knocking with lorry full of cash as incentive. I wont begrudge him if he does. Anyway, why wouldnt Madrid continue to ask? After the way they have raped and pillaged our club in the past (e.g. Owen, McManaman), luring Benitez back to his homeland shouldnt prove too difficult.

I'd like to see them try.

We're a lot better off now, and any even Rafa must see that this club is in a much stronger position than Real.

Even with Rafa's stewardship, things are in massive decline at the Bernabeu, and I personally don't think Beni wants to jump down to their level at this precise moment.

He has stated he's happy here, and plans to stay.

That's enough for me.

by **Lando_Griffin** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 6:04 am

Rafa, when asked if he will be at Liverpool next season: "Yes, I will."

After a chat with Gillette, he's happy.

Found this now:

Rafa

Eat sh*t, Real. :;):

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