Benitez: It’s time for us to talk

[Neil Young]

Fookin' hell Milky, use tiny url when posting links from the echo.

I heard you had a tiny URL, fredo. They say it's worse when you're overweight.

A plus.

[Guest]

I heard you had a tiny URL, fredo. They say it's worse when you're overweight.

A plus.

Had 12+ hours digesting some java code + some linux bash scripts ... Don't start on me now buddy.

[Neil Young]

Chill out fatso.

[Guest]

Chill out fatso.

I'm chilled.

[lfc4ever]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/03/17/sfnliv17.xml

Benitez keen to know plan of action

By Charles Carrick
Last Updated: 12:01am GMT 17/03/2007

Rafael Benitez has made it clear to Liverpool's American owners that he wants more of a say in the club's future, once their £470 million takeover is completed.

Benitez has become embroiled in a debate over how much Tom Hicks and George Gillett have been consulting him over the club's long-term plans, including the proposed new stadium.

Benitez said: "I would like to talk to the new owners. But if we are to improve then we have to move faster.

"As the manager, my hope was to take the same atmosphere from Anfield to the new stadium. If that meant a stadium with the same atmosphere and 50,000 or 60,000 inside, that would be perfect. But if we can get another 20,000 in, that would be even better.
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"That brings more possibilities for the club in terms of revenue and money. I do not decide these things, but for me it would be good for the club, for me and for our supporters.

"We cannot spend £50-100 million each year to buy players to improve the team. We need to gain more money from every area, because we are a top side in the Champions League."

Liverpool face Aston Villa this weekend and Benitez accepts that his first meeting with manager Martin O'Neill will be tough. Benitez said: "He has a very different Villa side now to when he arrived, they have strength and pace. He is a good manager, and we must not take Villa lightly."

[Red Chilli]

Good stuff from Rafa

Cheers lfc4ever

[captainfog]

Rafa is clearly excited about the future and that is why he is eager to get things started. For that reason I can't see him going to Real this season. If in the summer things to plan with hicks and co, Rafa will be here for some time.

One day Real, but not till he is up there with the great managers of our past. I really sense he has that ambition.

[Rich]

The way I read the situation is that at some point in his career Rafa will manage Madrid, however I do think the magic of LFC has massively rubbed off on him, and his risk is leaving for Madrid in the current climate and lasting a year - then what? He's left LFC and left Real Madrid - his career is suddenly looking pretty dodgy.

Rafa could easily spend the next 10 years at LFC and still fulfill his ambition of managing Madrid

[lfc4ever]

The way I read the situation is that at some point in his career Rafa will manage Madrid, however I do think the magic of LFC has massively rubbed off on him, and his risk is leaving for Madrid in the current climate and last a year - then what? He's left LFC and left Real Madrid - his career is suddenly looking pretty dodgy.

Rafa could easily spend the next 10 years at LFC and still fulfill his ambition of managing Madrid

I like the sound of that plan, 5 PL Titles along the way would be sweet, **** the roof, **** RM.

[Rich]

Thing Rafa has to ask himself is what do the directors/president at Real Madrid want and accept on a yearly basis?

The chances are Madrid need more than 1 year to turn them into a title and champions league winning side - is that achievable? Probably not, therefore his job probably would be in danger after a year. So what's the point?

He might as well stick to his second favourite club in the world, take them back to the top, and then go to Madrid. The way Madrid work, they are always looking out for a new manager!!!

[lfc4ever]

Thing Rafa has to ask himself is what do the directors/president at Real Madrid want and accept on a yearly basis?

Can I phone a friend? "Hello Mr Beckham, can you let me know what you have actually won trophy wise since you left Utd for RM to win trophies?

The chances are Madrid need more than 1 year to turn them into a title and champions league winning side - is that achievable? Probably not, therefore his job probably would be in danger after a year. So what's the point?

All supporters can see that, so no doubt can the top managers, yet they still get the top names in year after year, all mistakenly believing they are the one to turn it round I suppose?

It will prob take a 5 year plan overhaul to turn that club round, the galactico mentality was a huge expensive mistake, and they will pay for that for years to come.

He might as well stick to his second favourite club in the world, take them back to the top, and then go to Madrid. The way Madrid work, they are always looking out for a new manager!!!

Let's try and persuade Rafa that he now his dream job, and he has the tenure for as long as he wants, and then a job upstairs should he want it, as long as he feels needed & wanted by everybody - what better will there be than that?

[Rich]

Thanks for dissecting my post

(I'm trying to reassure myself that he's with us for the long run!)

[Sir Bob]

The link with madrid will always be there because Rafa is a Real man & wants to manage there one day.

The most worrying aspect of all this is rafa going public on wanting to meet the new owners. Why go to the press with this. It seems to me that maybe Rafa has asked to meet them but so far hasn't. Rafa would only go public on this if there was some underlying problem. Thats the problem with the new owners being 1000's of miles away with many other business interests. Rafa and LFC will not always be top of their list of priorities.

[memzey]

Benitez to Madrid?

According to Bascombe in the echo today, we are all being far too complacent about Rafa's future, as the prospect of him going to Madrid in the summer is becoming increasingly likely.

Any thoughts? This would obviously be bad news, but do we believe it is going to happen? If it did, who would we want to replace him?

[redpablo]

jesus! what a horrible thought. I cannot think of anyonee with the same dignity, wit and intelligence that Rafa has to be honest. the board and new bosses need to have a sit down smartish!