Liverpool FC exclusive: Rafa Benitez rejects new contract

[Fagan]

Jan 16 2009 Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

RAFA Benitez has rejected the contract offered to him by Liverpool Football Club.

The Spaniard insists he will only agree to the new deal if given more control over football matters - rather than having to answer to a club chief executive.

Benitez, who insists money is not an issue, has informed American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett of his stand.

Today he said: “"The owners feel that the manager's decisions need to be subject to the chief executive.

“But I know that I am subject to results and to our fans and they are the best judges I will ever have.”
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[Chrono]

FFS! ****ing great timing from ALL parties

[Reece]

Can't really blame him for not wanting to have to answer to Parry - particularly on transfer related things.
Still, not good news though.

[BFG]

I love Rafa and I think his demands are just but I don't understand why he can't try and sort this out behind closed doors. This **** is the absolute last thing we need at the moment.

[Elvoz]

I love Rafa and I think his demands are just but I don't understand why he can't try and sort this out behind closed doors. This **** is the absolute last thing we need at the moment.

brinkmanship

and poor timing

[JohnDoe]

We are our worst enemy.

[Tee]

Are we trying our best to totally **** up our best chance ever of winning the PL title?

[Pablo]

Joy! Another unnecessary public airing which will piss of the Yanks and cause more media attention.

This is all about a spat between Benitez and Parry. Honestly I think its perfectly normal that all transfer deals go through a chief exectutive, surely thats standard prctice? The problem is that our Chief Executive happens to be a useless *******.

The phrase SACK PARRY has never been more apt!

[Baldemort]

Why make it public. First the fuk up with the rant, now this. Gutted.

[dww]

I think the rant was the right thing to do.
This seems less well judged in terms of impact on the club. I guess he feels he needs to force the issue. The impasse with Parry has gone on for a long time. However when an ally of Rafa's like Ballague comes out and says how tightly Rafa has balanced the books you have to think that some credit for that is due to the people working out the deals (i.e. Parry).

[Chrono]

Rafa uses the fans to manipulate those around him which in my opinion is just not on. He should fight his own battles based on merit rather than saying if you don't do what I say you will upset the fans. I love Rafa but sometimes I also really dislike the way he behaves.

[BFG]

The problem is though that although Parry should probably go (for the simple reason he doesn't get on with the manager if nothing else) any move to sack him/ force his resignation would be part of a power struggle between the owners rather than with the best intentions for the club at heart.

Until G&H are gone or can get on well enough to choose a new CEO between them it's stalemate. Which makes Rafa's media outburst completely pointless as well as unsettling.

[powerpack]

I might be wrong but this is only being reported by the Echo so far. Its not on the Offal, BBC, Sky etc. Maybe I'm clutching at straws...

[cled the red]

I might be wrong but this is only being reported by the Echo so far. Its not on the Offal, BBC, Sky etc. Maybe I'm clutching at straws...

If it's in the Echo and written by Tony Barrett, you can almost take it as gospel.

[BFG]

I might be wrong but this is only being reported by the Echo so far. Its not on the Offal, BBC, Sky etc. Maybe I'm clutching at straws...

Can't see the echo making quotes up from Rafa mate, they've too much to lose in terms of his cooperation with them.