"Rafa is leaving" is the new "Stevie is leaving"

[Draxdor]

I guess this will come up every year until he actually does.

Not sure why he would now when the club is about to move into a new era, with the promise of additional revenue and resources, and before he accomplished the one thing he said was an absolute must...number 19.

The coaching job at Real Madrid seems to come up every 18 months or so...he can go get it a few years down the road, if he'd like. In the meantime, despite some supporters mind-boggling desire to be shot of him, I think he's going nowhere.

Before the Manc game, we were talking (wistfully) about a title challenge. A jammy Manc victory, advancement in the CL, and one indifferent road performance later, and now there are those that feel he's lost the plot.

I, for one, will be sad the day Rafa walks out the door. But I have a feeling that when he does, he'll do so with his head held high, having given the supporters what he promised (and what we've all been denied for far too long).

[glynner]

and if the "Rafa is leaving" story doesn't work out, the "Alonso is leaving" story probably has a few miles in it

[Manofthebog]

I guess this will come up every year until he actually does.

Not sure why he would now when the club is about to move into a new era, with the promise of additional revenue and resources, and before he accomplished the one thing he said was an absolute must...number 19.

The coaching job at Real Madrid seems to come up every 18 months or so...he can go get it a few years down the road, if he'd like. In the meantime, despite some supporters mind-boggling desire to be shot of him, I think he's going nowhere.

Before the Manc game, we were talking (wistfully) about a title challenge. A jammy Manc victory, advancement in the CL, and one indifferent road performance later, and now there are those that feel he's lost the plot.

I, for one, will be sad the day Rafa walks out the door. But I have a feeling that when he does, he'll do so with his head held high, having given the supporters what he promised (and what we've all been denied for far too long).

Don't take this the wrong way, mate, but ain't we got enough Rafa leaving treads going as it is?

And, last time I looked, the bloke was still our manager.

Lets have this conversation when he really is going.

[DeanoUK]

Indeed, but it had the back page story on the Times today.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premiership/liverpool/article1545436.ece

[tomasjj]

I am actually getting increasingly pissed at Rafa for playing this card in the media. He is being a politician here to get what he wants, but I dare say, this is not the Liverpool Way. Naive perhaps, but still, I want no more of this "holding the club for ransom" ****.

[DeanoUK]

I hate to admit it, but you do have a point. It has been several times now that he's 'played this card' and it must send signals of instability to the squad.

[tomasjj]

I am considering starting a new thread on this. I would like to hear what others feel.

[anfieldanfield]

I am actually getting increasingly pissed at Rafa for playing this card in the media. He is being a politician here to get what he wants, but I dare say, this is not the Liverpool Way. Naive perhaps, but still, I want no more of this "holding the club for ransom" ****.

I agree.

I have lost a little bit of respect for Rafa throughout this entire situation.

Stay or leave Rafa, it's your choice. But stop fuelling the Madrid specualtion and brining unwanted pressure upon the club through the media, just because it suits your personal agenda.

This has gone on too long now.

[Pacman]

I agree.

I have lost a little bit of respect for Rafa throughout this entire situation.

Stay or leave Rafa, it's your choice. But stop fuelling the Madrid specualtion and brining unwanted pressure upon the club through the media, just because it suits your personal agenda.

This has gone on too long now.

I agree.

[Marky]

Rafa aware of Madrid Link

Rafa Benitez has admitted he is fully aware of speculation linking him with the Real Madrid job.

Real's results have been inconsistent in recent weeks and reports suggest the club are hunting around for someone to replace Fabio Capello at the end of the season.

Jose Mourinho was quizzed about his feelings for Real earlier this month and now Benitez has revealed that he is keeping tabs on the situation at the Bernabeu.

However, Benitez insists he is concentrating solely on Liverpool's Premiership campaign and their quest for UEFA Champions League glory.

On Real, he told Revista de la Liga: "From a distance, you know that they are changing things.

"They have enough quality and players with experience. It's difficult when you are in another country to talk about their squad, but they have very good players.

"I know that the people are talking but I like to be focused on my team because we are trying to finish in the top four and we are playing in the Champions League."

Benitez is keen to talk with new Liverpool owners George Gillett Jnr and Tom Hicks about their plans for the future.

The duo have said there will be funds available for transfers in the summer but Benitez is looking for assurances.

"It's important to know the ideas of the new owners and they need to know my ideas," he explained.

"It's important to know what will happen in the future. Will there be a new stadium and maybe more money coming in? We need to do the right things."

[Graybach]

This is turning into a big farce again isn't it!!! For **** sakes can't they just sort it out!

As far as I'm aware this is Gillet and Hick's newest business adventure and deserves their total commitment above all their other established buisnesses for the for the next few months!

We've heard them say that they'll be crossing the 'pond' in their jets, well ****ing come on then. We've heard them say that they'll sit in any empty seats and talk to the fans, maybe Paco should sit in the stands for the Arsenal match and leave an empty seat next to Benitez.

There's a lot of negativity towards Benitez from fans lately, not all undeserved, but if I remember correctly Gerrard and Carra made sure they got their point across to the Yanks that he's the best man for the job during their meeting. I'm pretty sure that established world-class footballers know a little more than us about good coaches,good tactics etc etc. The Yanks said they took their comments and input very seriously. Well let's see it then.

Owning/running a football club like ours and dealing with building a new stadium etc must take a lot of doing but it's no good having a top stadium with a **** team and the man in charge of the team has to be right man. This position in the club should be addressed first.

IMO we have the best man in place and it's just a case of keeping him and supporting him and giving him all the backing he needs to get the job done.

I'm not condoning Raffa's games at the moment but to a certain extent I can understand his frustration that the Yanks aren't in constant contact with him.

I'm sure all of us would think it strange to be a manger in any job that is taken over by new owners who then have no contact with you.

I'm convinced we're going to win the league under Raffa!

[tomasjj]

Rafa should shut up.

Take this up with Gillett and Hicks in private. If you don't get a satisfactory answer, then say what you need to get support, or else you have to consider your options.

The only point of doing this in public is to whore and position himself to Real/another club.

[Jazzmaster]

So what if he leaves. And I dont mean that in a 'throwing the toys out of the pram' kind of way. Objectively speaking, we're still fourth, still not challenging for the title. Fine we've won a few (big) things and the club is moving in a positive direction but I for one would not fear a new manager. I love rafa, think he's an absolute gent, but ive lost some respect for him with this ongoing Real link and cant imagine that its doing any good for the team at this crucial time of the season. The only problem i forsee is choosing the new manager as there seems to be a lack of choice out there. However if someone decent can be found, then I would not fear the future.

[Marky]

So what if he leaves. And I dont mean that in a 'throwing the toys out of the pram' kind of way. Objectively speaking, we're still fourth, still not challenging for the title. Fine we've won a few (big) things and the club is moving in a positive direction but I for one would not fear a new manager. I love rafa, think he's an absolute gent, but ive lost some respect for him with this ongoing Real link and cant imagine that its doing any good for the team at this crucial time of the season. The only problem i forsee is choosing the new manager as there seems to be a lack of choice out there. However if someone decent can be found, then I would not fear the future.

It's not his fault he's the best tactician in Europe in Europe(if you know what i mean )

[Jazzmaster]

For sure Marky, he's certainly good at playing the clubs against each other no? But still it leaves liverpool in a position where they know that they're gonna lose rafa to Real sooner or later and instability is no good for any club.