Pako to leave - confirmed

[El Jefecito]

The big deal is that he's worked directly with Pako for over 10 years (?). He clearly trusts (trusted) him and he needs to now find another strong-minded number 2 who he'll trust. He also needs to find the polar opposite to Phil Neal - i.e. someone who isn't a snivelling yes man.

Easier said than done.

he's a fitness coach ffs. it's not like we are losing rafa

[rushscored4]

I'm sorry to hear Pako has gone but no-one is bigger than the club and we have to move on to replace him.

Two names spring to mind: Gary McAllister and Sammy Lee.

The heart says Gary Macca but the head says Sammy Lee because he's a very well respected coach with all his FA badges and he speaks Spanish from his days at Osasuna.

Macca is available as he's just doing media work but it might still be too soon after the sad loss of his wife. Sammy's managerial career didn't get off to the best of starts and he could be looking for a new job soon.

[Dan]

Lets get Phil Babb in as manager and let Rafa be his assistant

[Guest]

Thats the whole point

He was BOTH

So we have to replace one man with two

If Miller steps up as assistant that leaves the first team coach berth empty

Rafas big opn increasing the backroom staff I expect it to be increased further now

So could have been disagreements about the proposed restructurations Rafa wanted to make which lead to that. Pako could have been pissed off with the fact that he was no longer fully in charge of preparations etc ...

[Shaggy]

he's a fitness coach ffs. it's not like we are losing rafa

I know we're not losing Rafa, but he was more than "a fitness coach". Rafa's right-hand man.

Still, as I said earlier, onwards. Rafa's the man, but this news isn't something to be just brushed aside.

[Pacman]

I know we're not losing Rafa, but he was more than "a fitness coach". Rafa's right-hand man.

Still, as I said earlier, onwards. Rafa's the man, but this news isn't something to be just brushed aside.

Exactly.

I just hope Rafa doesn't **** off now that would be a disaster.

[The Barber]

Rafa reeling after Paco's Anfield exit

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has been rocked by the imminent departure of his right-hand man Paco Ayesteran from Anfield.
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His fellow Spaniard and long-term friend had been Benitez's number two at Tenerife and Valencia before he followed the Reds chief to Merseyside.

It is believed that the players were informed of the news on Thursday after training, and it is not expected that Ayesteran will be alongside Benitez in the dug-out for Saturday's home game with Derby.

Liverpool would not confirm any further details, although Benitez said: "Paco has told me he wants to leave, apart from that I cannot say any more. We will have to assess the situation."

It is not known whether Ayesteran has been offered another job in Spain or whether he wants to return home for personal reasons.

But the disruption to Benitez's backroom staff will be massive. Ayesteran has been in charge of fitness coaching, but also handles much of the squad administration.

Ayesteran's departure comes at the same time as Benitez's confirmed his decision not to risk skipper Steven Gerrard for Saturday's match.

Gerrard is recovering from a hairline toe fracture and has missed the last two Liverpool matches and the England friendly with Germany.

But Benitez confirmed that Gerrard will join up with England next week ahead of their two Euro 2008 qualifiers against Isreal and Russia.

But he said: "Steven wants to play, he wants to play against Derby as well. But I have had a meeting with him and he understands the risks.

"If he played against Derby he would need another pain-killing injection like he had to play against Chelsea. He then needed four or five days to recover.

"I understand how important his international career is to him and we will allow the England medical team to assess the situation.

"I will talk with Steve McClaren and our doctors will also have regular contact with their England counterparts.

"We will then all assess the situation as it progresses next week. My concern is that if we or England take risk with him, it could affect his whole season.

"We do not want him to miss a lot of games if there are more problems, and England must feel the same."

Benitez's side are still unbeaten this term and have started to make a genuine impression as potential title contenders.

With the Champions League just around the corner, this is a crucial time for both the club, as well as England.

Benitez said: "If we are to be real challengers then we have to win games we are expected to. But I have talked to the players and warned them that matches like Derby can be dangerous.

"They will be very committed and can produce a shock. We must not be complacent.

"People will say this should be three easy points, but I do not see it that way. Derby will be very dangerous opponents.

"As far as our chances of the title are concerned, it is too early to assess. Maybe in a month's time if we are still unbeaten, it will then be possible to make an assessment of the situation.

"But we have a better squad here now and we have enough players to contest all the competitions.

"I know that our fans want us to win the title, although if you asked me I would also want to win the Champions League. But if I had a choice, then I would say the title is our priority now this season."

[Red Wino]

Miller looks like a Phil Neal type!

Meaning??

Don't forget that Miller has manager experience (albeit with Hibs)...

[Guest]

Exactly.

I just hope Rafa doesn't **** off now that would be a disaster.

All of this seems to be borne out of Rafa wanting to bring changes to what they were doing since then as he's been talking about 'making errors' in a recent interview. Rafa is an intelligent man and he's taking actions and he'll not take prisoners ... We lacked a manager with that sort of character in the past.

[Imy]

Meaning??

Don't forget that Miller has manager experience (albeit with Hibs)...

so Phil Neal was in charge of Coventry and Bolton

[rushscored4]

Meaning??

Don't forget that Miller has manager experience (albeit with Hibs)...

Phil Neal was Manager of Bolton, Coventry and Man Citeh (very briefly) before he was sacked from each...

[cobain]

Phil Neal was Manager of Bolton, Coventry and Man Citeh (very briefly) before he was sacked from each...

That speaks volumes

[Red Wino]

so Phil Neal was in charge of Coventry and Bolton

yeah but no but yeah but no but .... I still don't get what it means "a Phil Neal type".

Good assistant manager?
Bad assistant manager?
None of the above.

[Imy]

Did you not watch the Graham Taylor documentary?

"...yes boss!"

[rushscored4]

yeah but no but yeah but no but .... I still don't get what it means "a Phil Neal type".

Good assistant manager?
Bad assistant manager?
None of the above.

I think it's fair to say that Phil Neal was as good an assistant manager as he was a manager...