Revista de La Liga - Rafa exclusive.

[desertscouser]

It's the club closest to his heart just like Liverpool is for Carra. If they give him total control of the club from top to bottom then I can't see him staying but I doubt that Real would allow any manager total control of everything.

True but Arsonfire makes a very good point...Rafa knows the job is his whenever he wants it. So why leave now, especially after much needed investment has now been secured?

[Assassin]

But who is to say that if he does not take it now and someone goes in and makes then world beaters for the next 6-8 years?

Also wouldnt Rafa like to be seen as the saviour of Madrid? Instead of someone who is taking over a already successful team as maybe the case if he waits

What is Mourinho goes there and is a massive succes and stays for 5-10 years though and then at the end of that time Real have a new director of football who doesn't want Benitez.

It's very possible.

I dont think the job is 'his whenever he wants it', football is a fickle game.

Under the current regime there is absolutely no way any manager will help Real become world beaters again. Basically the club needs to wipe the slate clean and start all over again, something all budding presidents/dictators will not allow to happen

[Dhav]

It's not just about Real as a a club, it is about returning home. I'm sure the wishes of his family will be just as important to him in deciding whether he stays or goes.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

I'm just speculating here but I reckon Rafa's weighing up the 2 offers on the table. I think he'll make his decision after Gillett and Hicks make their pitch and Real make theirs - if they haven't already.

Whether he should be doing this is another matter entirely.

Personally speaking if he isn't fully committed to this club throughout the length of the contract he signed, and the extention he signed, then what's the point? Let him go. Other fish in the sea and all that.

[Dhav]

If our new owners are willing to seriously invest in bringing the best players to Anfield then there are plenty of top quality managers who would love to take over IF/WHEN Rafa leaves. Managing LFC is still one of the biggest, most prestigious jobs in world football.

You're right, nobody is bigger than the club, including Rafa.

Very true - but I fear that many top managers might start looking at the job as a poisoned chalice, after all we havent won the league in 17 years.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Very true - but I fear that many top managers might start looking at the job as a poisoned chalice, after all we havent won the league in 17 years.

Now c'mon behave yourself. Most successful club in England, with new (I assume) significant financial backing. Any manager worth their salt would do anything to get a job like that.

[DannyMan2006]

I'm just speculating here but I reckon Rafa's weighing up the 2 offers on the table. I think he'll make his decision after Gillett and Hicks make their pitch and Real make theirs - if they haven't already.

Whether he should be doing this is another matter entirely.

Personally speaking if he isn't fully committed to this club throughout the length of the contract he signed, and the extention he signed, then what's the point? Let him go. Other fish in the sea and all that.

When a player or manager arent good enough for LFC we get rid without a worry in the world. Rafa has to decide if Gillet and Hicks are the real deal.

We really will see if the Yanks plan to make us greats again pretty damn soon. Cos if Rafa leaves its down to them not matching his ambitions.

Imagine the player exodus if Rafa left too........ Bye bye to Alonso and Reina for starters.

[Dhav]

Now c'mon behave yourself. Most successful club in England, with new (I assume) significant financial backing. Any manager worth their salt would do anything to get a job like that.

We haven't won the league in 17 years. Whoever takes the job knows that if he doesnt acheive that he's failed, and to do it he'll have to overcome Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea - that's a hell of a challenge.

[desertscouser]

Very true - but I fear that many top managers might start looking at the job as a poisoned chalice, after all we havent won the league in 17 years.

Or alternatively they could look at the job as being the challenge of a life time, leading the club into a new state of the art stadium with significant financial backing to bring in top players. As well as managing a team captained by the best player in the world...

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

We haven't won the league in 17 years. Whoever takes the job knows that if he doesnt acheive that he's failed, and to do it he'll have to overcome Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea - that's a hell of a challenge.

So lets say a proven winner at all levels like Lippi is offered the job, do you'd think he'd say "sorry lads it's just too difficult". People like him and the like revel in a challenge like that. Whether they would succeed is another matter entirely.

[Dhav]

So lets say a proven winner at all levels like Lippi is offered the job, do you'd think he'd say "sorry lads it's just too difficult". People like him and the like revel in a challenge like that. Whether they would succeed is another matter entirely.

I think the Liverpool manager's job is getting almost too big. When you've seen people like Evans, Houllier and Rafa come to within a few points of winning the leage and failing, I think some people will think twice. People looking at the job, like Lippi, might hold out and go for a job where they think they have a higher prospect of success, eg Man U and Chelsea - these jobs will probably be available within a couple of years.

[Le Chacal]

When a player or manager arent good enough for LFC we get rid without a worry in the world. Rafa has to decide if Gillet and Hicks are the real deal.

We really will see if the Yanks plan to make us greats again pretty damn soon. Cos if Rafa leaves its down to them not matching his ambitions.

Imagine the player exodus if Rafa left too........ Bye bye to Alonso and Reina for starters.

Its not like Rafa didnt get any support from the previous board. His mission was to challenge for at least 2nd spot in his 3rd season and got the money to achieve it. Big failure.
Finishing 4th looks like his only ambition, the yanks have more than him.
They will decide if Rafa is the real deal. Not the other way round.

[red g]

Or alternatively they could look at the job as being the challenge of a life time, leading the club into a new state of the art stadium with significant financial backing to bring in top players. As well as managing a team captained by the best player in the world...

[anfieldanfield]

Or alternatively they could look at the job as being the challenge of a life time, leading the club into a new state of the art stadium with significant financial backing to bring in top players. As well as managing a team captained by the best player in the world...

I concur.

Let's face it, winning the league after a drought lasting the best part of 20 years, would rank amongst the greatest (if not the greatest) moment in this club's history.

If Lippi came and won the league he would be a legend forever in Liverpool.

It's a great job.

[AFII]

Rafa got £6m net last summer. Moores had to loan the club £10m so he could sign Kuyt and he had to sell some players to get in more money. We couldn't even afford to make a bid for Neill until we had sold Barragan.

The club was skint last summer. The club backed him up as much as they could but £6m net isn't that much. So he didn't get the money to challenge for #19.