Liverpool FC Forum

by **Owzat** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 11:29 am

I have some reservations over offering Rafa a new contract, the fact that we've yet to end the season having made a title challenge and we've been here before with a good start and gone to bits. If we were to finish third or fourth, bearing in mind the mancs are only eight points behind with a game in hand and none of the 'big four' left to play away, and Chelsea can go back top today on GD so we've two threats can't be written off, then would we be so keen to offer him a new contract? If we were to lose to Arsenal away then we could have all three of the 'big four' rivals snapping around us.

So I have mixed feelings about the contract situation, we look to be improving under Rafa but one too many false dawns before make me somewhat hesitant to welcome the news as much as some. Really it should be assessed at the end of the season, nothing is won in November and I can understand why Rafa would want to negotiate while in a position of strength. If we're bought out then who's to say the new owners would want to keep Rafa? That said, we'd be p1ssed off if he decided not to renew his contract if it wasn't done when and how he wants

by **aCe'** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 1:13 pm

Number 9 wrote:Like annie lennox...she talks to angles!

you werent breastfed were you ?

by **aCe'** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 1:18 pm

Leonmc0708 wrote:
aCe' wrote:fck me but i heard theyr about to offer benitez 5mill a year which would mean he gets paid more than both Sir Alex and Arsene Wenger... thats absolutely ridiculous if you ask me...

Actually i think we shouldnt be offerin anything until the end of season and certainly offering such stupid money imo means that we'll be very lreluctant to let him go at any point even if its warranted simply because it wouldnt make for good business...

If we absolutely need to offer him a contract now id be looking at a slight pay rie and plenty of bonuses based on performances... no less and no more... hes yet to prove he win us the league or even makeus challengers come the end of the season and i think its too early to be believing we'll win it simply because we'r a few points ahead of ManUtd and level on poits with Chelsea who are clearly eyond doubt favourites for the title this year !

Thanks F.uck your not on our board.

What are you basing your theory on ?

yea cause our board is oh so great...
u'd fit in just fine me thinks... heard theyr looking for incompetent mods so maybe..im just saying..

here's the story anyways haad to try and find a source for you...

RAFA BENITEZ GAGGED
New £5m-a-year deal will stop Anfield boss talking

RAFA BENITEZ - contract

By CHRIS BASCOMBE, 08/11/2008

RAFA BENITEZ will be gagged when he finally signs his new £5million-a-year deal.

Liverpool owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have at last agreed to begin talks on the manager’s contract extension.

But they intend to add conditions to prevent further fall-outs between Benitez and the board.

Gillett, in particular, will demand a silence clause that bans the Spaniard from talking openly and honestly about the club’s policies.

In the past, Benitez’s frank assessment of Liverpool’s position has angered the Americans and almost led to his dismissal a year ago.

But they have come to realise Benitez is the man who can lead Liverpool to glory and that he deserves a new deal.

Swift
The owners’ decision to open talks symbolises a thawing of relations at Anfield.

Yet, with no timescale in place, it is possible that the Yanks will sell the club before Benitez gets a chance to pen terms, leaving him in limbo.

Hicks and Gillett are relaxed about allowing negotiations to continue for the rest of the season.

The Liverpool boss, however, is anxious for a swift resolution, saying he wants everything sorted “very, very quickly”.

He is hoping for a four- year deal worth £20m.

But last season, Hicks said he was looking to give the manager just a one-year extension.

The players cannot wait for their boss to secure his future.

Striker Fernando Torres said: “He’s the best coach I’ve ever had, without doubt. He gets every last drop of ability out of you.”

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/65696/RAFA-BENITEZ-GAGGED.html

by **account deleted by request** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 4:45 pm

I don't think its a deal that Rafa should even contemplate. If that slimy pair start any more "antics" we need someone who can speak out, not someone who's position would be intollerable.

Personally I would prefer to wait to the end of the season before we assess Rafa's progress and worry about his contract. In todays world thats probably not possible, as no doubt other clubs would be sniffing around, but I certainly DON'T AGREE with any gagging clause in the contract. I am not concerned about how much the contract is for, just that the timing seems "off" to me. I am not sure we should be offering him 5 years either, I still think he has a lot to prove and a two or three year deal would be sufficient.

by **maguskwt** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 5:34 pm

if they insist on a clause to keep rafa silent, then rafa should insist on a clause not to undermine his team management. If the owners don't meddle in team affairs and as long as they give the manager a sensible amount of transfer money... I don't have problems with them...

by **Rockthekop** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 11:22 am

I think it may be somewhat premature to offer Rafa a new contract.

I won't be impressed if he's given a long contract at this stage of the season.

He hasn't challenged for the title yet and unless he does this season he shouldn't get diddly squat.

by **stmichael** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 3:27 pm

Rockthekop wrote:I think it may be somewhat premature to offer Rafa a new contract.

I won't be impressed if he's given a long contract at this stage of the season.

He hasn't challenged for the title yet and unless he does this season he shouldn't get diddly squat.

Locking Rafa in for another 5 years will virtually ensure we keep Torres, Reina and possibly Mascherano for a similar period.

by **Roger Red Hat** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 4:18 pm

Rockthekop wrote:I think it may be somewhat premature to offer Rafa a new contract.

I won't be impressed if he's given a long contract at this stage of the season.

He hasn't challenged for the title yet and unless he does this season he shouldn't get diddly squat.

yeah I agree, hes been nothing short of sh!te. :help

Please, for the continued success and strengthening and building to continue...
...give the man a new contract or we might just lose him.

by **aCe'** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:32 pm

stmichael wrote:
Rockthekop wrote:I think it may be somewhat premature to offer Rafa a new contract.

I won't be impressed if he's given a long contract at this stage of the season.

He hasn't challenged for the title yet and unless he does this season he shouldn't get diddly squat.

Locking Rafa in for another 5 years will virtually ensure we keep Torres, Reina and possibly Mascherano for a similar period.

So what if they stay or leave ?
Unless we can challenge and ultimately win the league i dont see much point in 'locking' Rafa in with a long term contract... since he's been here we havent chalenged and until we do so i dont see much point in extending his contract when he still has 18months or so left...
Torres, Reina and Mascherano were here last season and we still failed to mount a serious challenge and thy could stay here for 10 more years and we might still not challenge...
We'r Liverpool ffs... we'll always attract big names and if any player is only here because of the manager and would want to leave because the manager is out i say good fckin riddance ! Most managers come in and buy different players and i dont think a new manager would come in and all of a sudden start going after mediocre players

by **zarababe** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:07 pm

The contract offer is a smokescreen to detract supporters from the financial ruin the club faces - Rafa should be tied in to keep him from leaving - but alas with these two at the helm I fear this is a sinister scheme to cover-up refinancing difficulties

by **bigmick** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 8:18 pm

It's probably on balance wise to offer the manager an extension. I hear peoples misgivings about extending the contract of a manager who hasn't yet challenged for the Premiership in four full seasons, but I think they should be put aside on this occasion.

The reasons are firstly that if we select the team in the same sensible manner in the league which we have so far aside from one game, I think we will most definately launch a serious challenge this season. There is always the danger that having seen it, Rafa will elect to switch the light off again but I doubt it to be honest. At worst, we might see a little dimming of the switch, but I don't see it being a return to previous ways anytime soon.

I agree with the sentiment of those who say that if a player is going to feck off simply because the manager leaves, then the player isn't worthy of the shirt. Also, despite what peoples press agents and friendly reporters may try and make us believe, i don't believe there are such players in the squad. That said, as peoples contracts come up for renewal they will be looking at the managers situation and the longevity of the project. Even the likes of Torres will be on the earole for an extension on better terms come the end of this season (and deservedly so) so you really need to think ahead in these situations.

Thirdly, it is fair to say we have invested a fair amount of cash, and mose likely a considerable amount of effort putting together a huge group of youngsters. We have been led to believe that amongst them is some of the finest young talent available in the world, so it would be nice to see the project continued with. I know we haven't seen one break through yet, or even look close to doing so if we're honest, but best we run with the thing for the time being.

The team is better than when the manager first took over. He has learnt much and come a long way. We are now actually giving ourselves the opportunity to challenge for the title and we will. I think he should be offered a two year extension.

by **JoeTerp** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:41 pm

bigmick wrote:It's probably on balance wise to offer the manager an extension. I hear peoples misgivings about extending the contract of a manager who hasn't yet challenged for the Premiership in four full seasons, but I think they should be put aside on this occasion.

The reasons are firstly that if we select the team in the same sensible manner in the league which we have so far aside from one game, I think we will most definately launch a serious challenge this season. There is always the danger that having seen it, Rafa will elect to switch the light off again but I doubt it to be honest. At worst, we might see a little dimming of the switch, but I don't see it being a return to previous ways anytime soon.

I agree with the sentiment of those who say that if a player is going to feck off simply because the manager leaves, then the player isn't worthy of the shirt. Also, despite what peoples press agents and friendly reporters may try and make us believe, i don't believe there are such players in the squad. That said, as peoples contracts come up for renewal they will be looking at the managers situation and the longevity of the project. Even the likes of Torres will be on the earole for an extension on better terms come the end of this season (and deservedly so) so you really need to think ahead in these situations.

Thirdly, it is fair to say we have invested a fair amount of cash, and mose likely a considerable amount of effort putting together a huge group of youngsters. We have been led to believe that amongst them is some of the finest young talent available in the world, so it would be nice to see the project continued with. I know we haven't seen one break through yet, or even look close to doing so if we're honest, but best we run with the thing for the time being.

The team is better than when the manager first took over. He has learnt much and come a long way. We are now actually giving ourselves the opportunity to challenge for the title and we will. I think he should be offered a two year extension.

agree.

Starting over with someone new would be a huge mistake. Are there any current Prem managers who have what it takes to run our club? not likely, or at least they wouldn't be proven ENOUGH at the moment. SO then you are looking foreign, and would have to have ANOTHER getting used to the premiership period, and odds are than even at this new managers peak, there is a BIG BIG BIG BIG RISK that it would not match what Rafa is currently bringing (and could potentially bring) to the club.

As far as the youth thing. Most of the bigger name buys happened last summer (and then on a continuing basis) and better ones are the youngest. We certainly are not in the same solar system as Arsenal's Carling Cup squad at the moment, but I do think there is talent. One thing that is actually hurting Rafa is the success of the youth teams two and three years ago, which were mostly complete sides, of talented, but not extraordinarily talented youngsters who had been together as a group for a long time and were very well coached, and got on a run in two consecutive cups. Great Liverpool attitude and heart in those teams (kids like Darby, Spearing, and Irwin). But the talent that was searched the world over (or at least the brightest bits of the search) are still too young to judge (and sadly some of them don't have the best injury record since they have arrived)

by **Raffmaker** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 12:30 am

Two sides to this coin really:

1. we finish 3rd or less this term and Rafa walks.....

2. We finish 3rd or abouve then its a good win!

by **GYBS** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 7:55 am

what happens if we finish third ?

by **Bam** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 8:09 am

GYBS wrote:what happens if we finish third ?

Why the questions all the time ?

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