Liverpool FC Forum

by **Effes** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 7:42 am

Lando_Griffin wrote:Found this now:

Rafa

Eat sh*t, Real.

Ah, the Daily Mirror.

I can rest in peace now.

by **Rafa D** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:16 am

I know Real Madrid is a club very close to Rafa Benitez's heart. He grew up supporting them, played for and took his first steps in coaching there.

However the steps we have made as a club since he has been here means we cannot afford to lose him. His knowledge of the game, his tactical nous and his general idealogy on football management have promoted him to the top, top level of football managers and it would be a major step back if we lost him.

However, I expect the same result of last year, Real will come in and come in strong, but with the new owners and the promise of full backing means Rafa will want to finish the job. He is a very clever man and to be honest it would not surprise me if this "Real Madrid interest" has not been hyped up by Rafa's agent - new owners, new contract.

by **The Manhattan Project** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:20 am

Real Madrid are too fickle.

Employment with them tends to be fleeting.

I think he'd be risking a lot by leaving LFC.

by **puroresu** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:48 am

As long as Rafa is backed by the board he will stay for next season.

by **Sabre** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:50 am

Rafa unsettled?

I'm a bit surprised, when you hear "The Times" around here you have the idea of serious journalism, you expect no tabloid cráp. What facts do they use to say he's unsettled?

The quotes they put on Rafa are the ones you would expect of him when asked about new managers, that things must be well done, and things must be spoken.

The only truth is this article is that Rafa is more valued than Mourinho is, Some will say that's because he's Spaniard but I think any Italian team would pick Rafa rather than Mou too.

by **RedBlood** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:46 am

i fkin hate the way real madrid and barcelona think they can click there fingers and get any player/manager they want
they are two of the biggest clubs in the world not the two biggest clubs in the world
the way there presidents make up lists of players and say these are the players we will buy in the summer shows a lack of respect and thats yet another reason why im chuffed we knocked the so called mighty barcelona out of europe

c.u.n.ts

by **Bad Bob** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:33 pm

Not at all worried about this rumour. I think Rafa's here to rebuild a great team and lead us to glory long term. Sure, maybe years from now when he's won everything that can be won with Liverpool several times over, Sir Rafa will consider a return to his home club but, at the moment, he's not going anywhere, esp. considering the state that Madrid's in.

by **SouthCoastShankly** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:52 pm

Liverpool owners make Benitez vow

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks says manager Rafa Benitez is "absolutely" the man they want to manage the club.

Newspaper reports have suggested Real Madrid want Benitez to succeed Fabio Capello as their boss this summer.

But Hicks told Five Live Sport: "We're going to get together with Rafa the morning after the Arsenal match (on 31 March). It's now time to do that."

Benitez added: "I am completely committed to Liverpool Football Club and I'm going nowhere."

Hicks continued: "I'll have my whole family over and [co-owner] George [Gillett] is going to have his family there.

"We're all going to celebrate our first match together as the official owners. We've set aside half a day the next day to visit with Rafa."

The American duo are set to formally take control of the Anfield club next week, when the tendering process closes.

Hicks says this is the reason why he and Gillett are yet to have detailed talks with Benitez.

"I've exchanged a number of emails with Rafa and know George talked to him personally last week," he said.

"We've explained to Rafa, which he knows and I think is very comfortable with, that we don't own the team yet.

"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."

by **Sabre** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 1:01 pm

Benitez added: "I am completely committed to Liverpool Football Club and I'm going nowhere."

I need no more. In Rafa I trust.

by **sundy** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 1:14 pm

Rafael Benitez today dismissed rumours linking him to Real Madrid and re-affirmed his commitment to Liverpool.
The Reds boss said: "I think it's important the fans know I am completely committed to Liverpool Football Club and I'm going nowhere.
"I know there's been a lot of speculation in the Spanish media linking me with Real Madrid.

"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 genuinely excited by what the future holds for Liverpool.

"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.

"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 underway in preparation for the way forward."

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From lfc.tv

by **redmikey** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 2:57 pm

real would want to control every asspect of buy players and rafa would just turn into a coach instead of having the reigns of power to push the club foward like he has here at lfc

talk sport did a great phone in last night though asking who would be the best for the job between rafa and mareen

for me real should give keegan a ring as if they want attacking football he is your man!!

by **Marianne** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:04 pm

we cant loose alonso and benitez!!! noooo

by **stmichael** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 8:22 pm

I wish Rafa had waited before making his announcement as it means we have sod all to discuss for the next week and a half. Selfish Spanish Sopworth.

by **E.Jack You Late** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:44 pm

Rafa is not the sort to leave abruptly just because another club comes in for him, even if it is Real Madrid. I’m sure he wants to manage Real Madrid one day but he hasn’t achieved what he came here for.

by **Kash_Mountain** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 9:46 pm

Rafa isn't going anywhere. He's not the sort that would allow something like this to unsettle him. He know's where he belongs and that's Liverppol Football Club.

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