RAFA BENITEZ NEW DEAL

Liverpool boss to sign two-year contract extension by Christmas

RAFA BENITEZ - agreement

By CHRIS BASCOMBE, 29/11/2008

RAFA BENITEZ will reject Real Madrid for a third time to sign a two-year extension to his deal at Liverpool.

The Kop boss this week told the Anfield board he would rather stay than go - despite renewed interest from the Spanish giants.

Now Spaniard Benitez is closing in on an agreement that will keep him on Merseyside until at least 2012.

Following talks with American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, both parties are confident a deal will be struck before Christmas.

Plan

Benitez said: "My advisers were in contact with them and we are waiting for a new contract right now. Sooner rather than later we will have another communication."

The deal represents an extraordinary turnaround for the Spanish coach, who was on the brink of being sacked 12 months ago.

The owners' eagerness to tie down Benitez is directly related to their plan to sell the Anfield club.

They are searching for a buyer and have been advised that the uncertainty over the manager's position makes Liverpool unattractive.

Hicks and Gillett know they must sell before July because of their £350million debt - and key players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will also be in line for deals in 2009.

Impact

Skipper Gerrard will have two years left on his contract this summer and wants to commit his future to Liverpool for life.

And star striker Torres will need to be rewarded for his impact to fend off the prospect of big-money bids.

Hicks and Gillett will not have the cash to make any significant financial commitments while their stadium plans are on hold.

The transfer budget will also be decided by Reds' on-field displays - assisted this week by the £10m assured from their Champions League progress.

Your comments

This article has 12 comments

Hi. Good site.

By Alek.. Posted December 31 2008 at 1:47 PM.

the yanks haven't been a disaster yet ,poor yes. However if they stay a minute longer than they must then it will be. I'm glad they are in the background they were spoiling a great great club who have always been the benchmark of what a club should be all about.

By zinc.. Posted November 30 2008 at 4:25 PM.

IF he wishes too go than go and bring back Kenny and also Owen back and we will have one of the best team in Europe once again .we have Steve as well .
SO RAFFA go please go

By bharat patel.. Posted November 30 2008 at 12:22 PM.

Rafa-Rafael-Rafa-Rafael-Rafa-Rafael......Rafael Benitez!!!

By Matt.. Posted November 30 2008 at 11:55 AM.

Great News

I can't think of anyone better for the Job

Rafa is the Best Manager in the World

By Born to be RED.. Posted November 30 2008 at 9:42 AM.

Please no, I cant stand watching his boring sterile lets go for a 1-0 football till 2012. Let him go to Real and bore them silly.

Prescot Pete

By Prescot Pete.. Posted November 30 2008 at 8:18 AM.

They should wait until Eater cos if we are out of everything as usual, they may regret having him on a long contract. Lets face it we hardly look world beaters do we.

Red Russ

By Red Russ.. Posted November 30 2008 at 8:06 AM.

"These 'terrible Yanks' have brought us Torres, Masch, Babbel, Keane, Rierra, Skertyl, Dossena.......don't believe the hype."

Most of those came from Benitez selling players in the first place. The Yanks won't pay for anything out of their own pocket, not even flying to England. From day one they've loaded all the debt on the club. So much for not taking the Glazer route.

By LFC.. Posted November 30 2008 at 6:03 AM.

and u still havent won the premier league, and u never will.

By g man.. Posted November 30 2008 at 3:35 AM.

These 'terrible Yanks' have brought us Torres, Masch, Babbel, Keane, Rierra, Skertyl, Dossena.......don't believe the hype.

By Ian.. Posted November 30 2008 at 2:49 AM.

Yank Out!

DIC SOS!

Pray for us Shanks!

By Nick.. Posted November 30 2008 at 12:50 AM.

You yanks just need to sell up it makes sense

By mike.. Posted November 30 2008 at 1:09 AM.

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