The 'will he, won't he?' quit rumours regarding Rafa Benitez and
Juventus are familiar to The Kop, who have seen their manager flirt
with rival clubs during every season of his reign.
Having been linked with a move to Juve, Real Madrid or Inter
Milan, the Anfield manager usually allows the speculation to
continue for long enough to provoke an hysterical appeal from his
supporters to stay, before announcing he's committed to the Mersey
cause.
Will the Old Lady of Turin finally lure the boy who keeps crying
wolf?
Or will this week's events follow the same pattern? Here are
Rafa's X Files...
March 16, 2005
BENITEZ is the prime target for Real Madrid, who are about to
sack Vanderlei Luxemburgo.
When asked in a Melwood Press Conference to deny claims he may
leave Anfield after just nine months, Benitez replies: "Real Madrid
is just another rumour. All I am thinking about is a win against
Blackburn. I want to win. That is my only idea."
March 24, 2005
AFTER a week of speculation and clear-the-air talks with his
board, Benitez confirms the Real stories were right but eases the
worst fears of The Kop.
"It is very nice that every so often my name is being mentioned
with several different clubs in Spain," said Benitez.
"But I can tell the Liverpool fans I have no intention of
leaving.
"I have a five-year contract and intend to stay for it.
"The board and everyone have been totally supportive of me and
not put any extra pressure on me.
"The club have not given me any targets this season, even though
deep down I know what my own are - and that is a Champions League
spot."
March 5, 2006
SPORT OF THE WORLD reveal that Inter Milan and Real Madrid want
the Liverpool manager. We report how Benitez is frustrated with his
board's lack of spending power and wants around £30million a season
to recruit world-class players for his Anfield squad.
Real's new president, Fernando Martin Alvarez, praises Benitez's
credentials and says he could be the man to bring stability to the
Spanish Galacticos.
March 8, 2006
BENITEZ is asked ahead of the Champions League last-16 showdown
with Benfica if there is any truth in the weekend reports linking
him with Madrid and Inter.
The Liverpool manager says: "I am really focused on the
Champions League clash and am not worried about other things.
"All I am doing now is preparing my team for the game and
talking to the players about the match.
"I have no problems with the board, with the Chairman or with
the chief executive."
March 17, 2006
TWELVE days after reports of an offer from Real Madrid are
revealed - and following more talks with his board, Benitez makes a
more emphatic statement.
"It's clear that I'm staying at Liverpool," he says.
"I want to thank the fans, the chief executive and the board for
their support."
"I'm happy here and I'm staying. I am very happy here and I want
to win a lot more trophies with Liverpool.
"My relationship with the fans and the people at the club is
fantastic."
March 14, 2007
BENITEZ requests an urgent meeting with the club's new American
owners following another approach from Real Madrid for his
services.
He says: "There are always a lot of rumours in the newspapers
and a lot of people have been talking about Madrid.
"We have new people taking over and it's important I talk to the
American owners.
"I have spoken to them once, when they first came to the club,
but now I would like to see them again as soon as possible and talk
about the future."
March 22, 2007
AFTER eight days of cryptic responses, Benitez ends speculation
with an unambiguous statement.
"It's clear I have always wanted to stay and now I'm even more
determined to stay," he says. "The news I have after speaking to
the new owners was really positive.
"I'm very excited about what we can achieve this season but also
about what we can do next season.
"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."
November 23, 2007
IT emerges Benitez has had a major falling out with new owners
Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr.
Reports claim he has become a target for Bayern Munich.
When asked a series of questions about his future, he replies
stating he is focused only on 'coaching and training' his team.
However, when asked if the England job is of interest, he
states: "You never know what will happen in football."
November 26, 2007
WITH Benitez on the verge of losing his job due to his 'coaching
and training' Press briefing, a 'source close to him' pleads for
his future: "Rafa loves it at Liverpool.
"He loves the people of the city, he loves the fans and he loves
the club.
"All he wants is what's best for the fans - he gets frustrated
when he feels he's not able to do that."
January 16, 2009
BENITEZ rejects the first of four
drafts of a new contract which are offered to him.
It is claimed Real Madrid and Manchester City are in contact
with his representatives.
Benitez says: "The owners feel that the manager's decisions need
to be subject to the chief executive. But I know that I am subject
to results and to our fans and they are the best judges I will ever
have."
February 22, 2009
A MONTH into the contract saga and amid rumours he's about to
quit, Benitez says: "I only want to concentrate on football."
March 18, 2009
BENITEZ signs a new five-year deal and issues the following
statement: "My heart is with Liverpool Football Club.
"I love the club, the fans and the
city and with a club like this and supporters like this, I could
never say no to staying.
"I always made clear I wanted to be here for a long time and
when I complete my new contract it will mean I have spent over a
decade in Liverpool.
"Throughout this process, I would like to thank the owners for
their hard work in finalising the deal."
January 26, 2010
REPORTS claim Juventus want Benitez to be their manager at the
end of the season.
The Italian outfit are poised to sack boss Ciro Ferrara after a
dismal run of form and are said to be looking to lure Benitez to
Turin in the summer.
It is suggested there has been direct contact between Juventus
officials and the Liverpool boss.
When asked if there is any truth in the story Benitez says: "I
know they are interested, that is part of the game now in
football.
"But I am not ready to talk too much because I don't want to
lose my focus.
"When you are a manager and you have clubs asking, you have to
be proud because they are a top side in Europe."