The OFFICIAL Liverpool FC thread - #DankeJürgen

blewuporstuffed · February 25, 2009, 02:23:43 PM

whata yous make of this, looks like its more than a rumour.enough toscare the bookies anyway

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article5802087.ece

blewuporstuffed · February 25, 2009, 02:28:35 PM

Rafael Benitez's future in doubt at Liverpool after bookmakers suspend betting

Rafael Benitez's future as manager of Liverpool looks more uncertain than ever after leading bookmakers suspended all bets on him leaving the club.

The news comes hours before his team take on Real Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League in the Bernabeu with rumours in the Spanish capital suggesting the Liverpool manager will leave Anfield.

The Spaniard has been locked in talks over a new contract in recent months and surprised the club's hierarchy by rejecting a fifth draft of the deal over the weekend. Benitez has less than 18 months left on his contract at Anfield and believes that if he reaches the end of the season without a commitment from Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the Liverpool owners, he would be forced to look for a new job.

The Americans agreed to offer Benitez a new contract before Christmas but the document remains unsigned. Sources close to Benitez have suggested that the Spaniard has reached agreement with the club on a number of occasions, only to find that, when the written contract arrived, it contained different terms than had been agreed verbally.

The owners have bowed to his requests for more control over transfer policy and the youth academy, however, sticking points remain about the job security of his backroom staff and his concern at the delays in the decision-making process, given the dysfunctional relationship between the owners.

Benitez began his career in coaching at the Bernabeu in 1986 and the Liverpool manager has been linked with a return to Madrid, where Juande Ramos is the incumbent. However, Ramos is a short-term appointment and is likely to be replaced in the summer.

Speculation has suggested that Kenny Dalglish, the former manager, has been approached to act in a caretaker capacity in the event of Benitez leaving, but the Scot remains a strong supporter of the Spaniard and would be unlikely to countenance the dismissal of a man who has brought the European Cup to Anfield.

The internal politics of Liverpool have been tortuous since the American owners took over and Benitez has endured a difficult relationship with Rick Parry, the chief executive. The pair have been enbroiled in a power struggle which has worn down the manager. However, Benitez believes he is right and will not depart without a fight.

Rupert Adams, a spokesman for William Hill, said: "We are slightly jumpy after being turned over by the recent Weymouth coup but the level of interest on Rafa getting the sack is unprecedented with over 300 calls logged today alone.

"We would be very surprised if he is still the Liverpool boss by midnight on Sunday."

corn02 · February 25, 2009, 03:27:35 PM

If the reason he leaves is to do with asssurances over backroom staff, although stupid, he will have gone up in my estimation.

Rafa - the credit crunch cruncher.

GalwayBayBoy · February 25, 2009, 03:55:34 PM

Quote from: bingobus on February 25, 2009, 12:40:20 PM
Quote from: under the bar on February 25, 2009, 12:31:51 PM
Quoteword is liverpool players have been told tonight is rafas last game.

which player said that?

Not a ripple of any of this on the Liverpool forums. Seems Lawro has caused another rumour to gather pace. I'd say he'll be blacklisted by anybody with any inside info in the future.

Benitez leaving was on some forums a day or two ago. Apparently Lawro opened his big gob again on some radio station and the rumour has gathered legs since. Whether it actually turns out to be true who knows?

Lawro is like an old woman the way he gossips.

An Fear Rua · February 25, 2009, 04:02:49 PM

http://www.radioireland.ie/lastword/2422009-18.wmv

20 mins in

corn02 · February 25, 2009, 04:05:16 PM

Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on February 25, 2009, 03:55:34 PM
Quote from: bingobus on February 25, 2009, 12:40:20 PM
Quote from: under the bar on February 25, 2009, 12:31:51 PM
Quoteword is liverpool players have been told tonight is rafas last game.

which player said that?

Not a ripple of any of this on the Liverpool forums. Seems Lawro has caused another rumour to gather pace. I'd say he'll be blacklisted by anybody with any inside info in the future.

Benitez leaving was on some forums a day or two ago. Apparently Lawro opened his big gob again on some radio station and the rumour has gathered legs since. Whether it actually turns out to be true who knows?

Lawro is like an old woman the way he gossips.

Tommy Tightlips.

Lecale2 · February 25, 2009, 04:06:28 PM

Has he left or has he decided to stay? I just wish he'd make his mind up one way or the other.

full back · February 25, 2009, 04:09:37 PM

Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on February 25, 2009, 03:55:34 PM
Quote from: bingobus on February 25, 2009, 12:40:20 PM
Quote from: under the bar on February 25, 2009, 12:31:51 PM
Quoteword is liverpool players have been told tonight is rafas last game.

which player said that?

Not a ripple of any of this on the Liverpool forums. Seems Lawro has caused another rumour to gather pace. I'd say he'll be blacklisted by anybody with any inside info in the future.

Benitez leaving was on some forums a day or two ago. Apparently Lawro opened his big gob again on some radio station and the rumour has gathered legs since. Whether it actually turns out to be true who knows?

Lawro is like an old woman the way he gossips.

Lawro's info is normally accurate enough

GalwayBayBoy · February 25, 2009, 04:12:49 PM

Quote from: full back on February 25, 2009, 04:09:37 PM
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on February 25, 2009, 03:55:34 PM
Quote from: bingobus on February 25, 2009, 12:40:20 PM
Quote from: under the bar on February 25, 2009, 12:31:51 PM
Quoteword is liverpool players have been told tonight is rafas last game.

which player said that?

Not a ripple of any of this on the Liverpool forums. Seems Lawro has caused another rumour to gather pace. I'd say he'll be blacklisted by anybody with any inside info in the future.

Benitez leaving was on some forums a day or two ago. Apparently Lawro opened his big gob again on some radio station and the rumour has gathered legs since. Whether it actually turns out to be true who knows?

Lawro is like an old woman the way he gossips.

Lawro's info is normally accurate enough

Sure he doesn't know himself. He said " I hear Benitez has walked or is going to walk" and then goes "but I think it's only a rumour".

Well done Mark you just repeated the rumour over the airwaves. He says things on Irish radio thinking they won't get picked up elsewhere. Has he never heard of the internet?

full back · February 25, 2009, 04:15:41 PM

Was it 'Lawro' that first broke the Keane news?

Doogie Browser · February 25, 2009, 04:17:57 PM

Apparently he was 'deep throat' too

An Fear Rua · February 25, 2009, 04:19:32 PM

"Some one has just rung me and said have you heard that Benitez has walked out, well Ive not heard that, I think its just one of those rumours"

so why mention it ?

bingobus · February 25, 2009, 04:25:34 PM

Quote from: An Fear Rua on February 25, 2009, 04:19:32 PM
"Some one has just rung me and said have you heard that Benitez has walked out, well Ive not heard that, I think its just one of those rumours"

so why mention it ?

Cause he is an attention seeking shitebag

full back · February 25, 2009, 04:30:53 PM

There must be something to it if Lawro mentions it
He was spot on about Keane
I hope the fcuk Rafa stays

The Real Laoislad · February 25, 2009, 04:33:32 PM

Quote from: full back on February 25, 2009, 04:30:53 PM
There must be something to it if Lawro mentions it
He was spot on about Keane
I hope the fcuk Rafa stays

In all fairness it didn't take a genius to work out Keane was having problems at Anfield
I think we all thought he may go before Lawrenson said anything