Benitez leaves
Liverpool by mutual consent
Benitez, who took over from Gerard Houllier in 2004, found his
position untenable after a disappointing season which saw Liverpool
finish seventh in the Premier League, just 12 months after being
runners-up to Manchester United.
Rafael Benitez told the club's official website: "It is very sad
for me to announce that I will no longer be manager of Liverpool
FC. I would like to thank all of the staff and players for their
efforts.
"I'll always keep in my heart the good times I've had here, the
strong and loyal support of the fans in the tough times and the
love from Liverpool. I have no words to thank you enough for all
these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager.
"Thank you so much once more and always remember: You'll never
walk alone."
After a poor start to the campaign, which included an exit from
the Champions League in the group stage, Benitez guaranteed he
would qualify for the competition in 2010-11. But Benitez failed to
deliver on that guarantee and only booked a place in the Europa
League due to Portsmouth's perilous financial state, with Liverpool
losing 19 matches in all competitions.
Failure to qualify for Europe's elite competition has
ramifications for Liverpool's own finances, leading to speculation
that star names such as Steven
Gerrard and Fernando Torres could be sold
off to balance the books.
"
Thank you so much once more and always remember: You'll never walk
alone.
" Rafael Benitez
News of the 50-year-old's impending exit broke on Wednesday
evening with talks underway to agree a compensation package. It is
thought Benitez will receive a £6 million pay-off.
The Liverpool board feels that the club needs a new direction to
stand any chance of finishing in the top four next season.
Liverpool released the following statement: "Liverpool FC today
confirmed that Rafael Benitez is to leave the club by mutual
consent. Mr Benitez relinquishes his position as team manager after
six years and the board of directors would like to place on record
their grateful thanks for his services and wish him all the best in
his future career.
"The board has now asked managing director Christian Purslow,
with the assistance of club ambassador Kenny Dalglish, to begin a
formal search to identify and assess potential candidates for the
managerial position. No timescale has been placed on the process
and Liverpool FC will make no further statement until a new manager
is appointed."
Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton said: "Rafa will forever be
part of Liverpool folklore after bringing home the Champions League
following the epic final in Istanbul but after a disappointing
season both parties felt a fresh start would be best for all
concerned.''
Benitez, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and
also reached the final 2007, is now the favourite to take over at
Inter Milan following Jose Mourinho's exit for Real Madrid and
Fabio
Capello's decision to stay with England.
"We really like Rafa Benitez and he is in our favour since the
Champions League final in Istanbul [when Liverpool beat rivals AC
Milan in 2005]," Inter director Gabriele Oriali told Corriere
dello
Is this related to Taxi Driver or Liverpool?
