Rafa Signs New 5 Year Deal - OFFICIAL

[-V-]

I'm pissing about mate, surely you can tell!

I know

[Craig_H]

I was gonna go to bed early tonight, cos i was really tired earlier. I'd have gone to sleep without hearing this and then woke up tomorrow morning thinking it was an early April fools joke or somthing

[Shanks]

I'm pissing about mate, surely you can tell!

Gutted because someone broke the news before you, eh Craig?

[Craig_H]

Gutted because someone broke the news before you, eh Craig?

Yep, i miss out on my bonus payment now

[Liverpool]

Good news for everyone.

[pondus]

I think this is great for our club, seems like our best players like him and hopefully we can extend their contracts now and add a couple of big names in the summer.

Rafa

[Shaggy]

Liverpool FC manager Rafael Benitez signs new five year contract

Mar 18 2009 By Tony Barrett


RAFA Benitez has signed a new five year contract which will see him remain as Liverpool manager until 2014.

The Reds boss put pen to paper on the deal at Melwood earlier this evening to bring an end to any doubts about his future.

"My heart is with Liverpool Football Club, so I'm delighted to sign this new deal," said Benitez.

"I love the club, the fans and the city and with a club like this and supporters like this, I could never say no to staying.

"I always made clear I wanted to be here for a long time and when I complete my new contract it will mean I have spent over a decade in Liverpool.

"The club is greatly respected around the world due to its incredible history and tremendous heritage. It is my aim to uphold those values and help create a new chapter in our history.

"Throughout this process, I would like to thank the owners for their hard work in finalising the deal. All of us at the club want the same thing, which is to be successful by winning major trophies."

Talks between Benitez’s agent Manolo Garcia Quillon and representatives of Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have been going on for more than four months and have now come to a successful conclusion.

The starting point for the lengthy negotiations came when the Americans indicated they wanted to offer Benitez a two year extension to his current deal which is due to expire in the summer of 2010.

Benitez was unwilling to agree to that proposal as he was seeking a more long term deal and talks have resulted in the five year contract being signed today.

Should the 48-year-old serve out the contract in full he will clock up a decade of service as Liverpool manager, making him the fourth longest serving Reds boss in the club’s 115-year history.

Having cemented his position as one of European football’s top managers with the recent Champions League demolition of Real Madrid there would have been no shortage of potential suitors for Benitez should he have failed to agree a new deal with Liverpool, whom he joined in the summer of 2004.

But the ECHO understands Benitez never saw his future being away from Anfield despite the length of time it took for the contract to be signed and sealed and the speculation which accompanied the protracted discussions.

Rumours circulated recently that the Spaniard was set to walk away from the Reds, at one stage prompting bookmakers to suspend betting on such an eventuality.

But despite the fevered nature of the speculation there was never any genuine prospect of Benitez quitting.

Early in the talks differences emerged about what the manager called "roles and responsibilities", with Benitez looking for a greater input into Liverpool’s academy in Kirkby and increased power over transfers.

All such issues have now been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties and after resolving his own future Benitez will now look to tie down his staff and several key players to long term deals.

Hicks said: "It is wonderful news that Rafa has made a long-term commitment to the football club.

"Since he became Manager in 2004, he has been responsible for the great progress we have made.

"I know he will continue to build on his achievements as he has a tremendous hunger and desire to bring more success to the club - success our fans and everyone connected with the club deserves."

Gillett added: "With Rafa continuing to manage the team, we can look forward to more great football and success on the pitch.

"He has special abilities and qualities which are admired here at the club and around the world.

"Coming after our excellent wins over Real Madrid and Manchester United, this gives us great momentum going into the final stages of the season."

Having followed up last Tuesday’s victory over Real with a sensational 4-1 win against Man United at Old Trafford at the weekend the confirmation that he will remain at Anfield until 2014 caps a fantastic week for Benitez.

[kingfunk]

I hear Joe King has taken very ill within the last couple of hours...... Get well soon joe.

[little dave hedgehog]

I think this is great for our club, seems like our best players like him and hopefully we can extend their contracts now and add a couple of big names in the summer.

Rafa

unless you're a pennant. i mean a half-wit.

'nobody knows what he goes on about, innit? like the geezer finks he's running a side or sumfink."

[wiw]

Blimey, 4 months?! He's gonna need the pay rise just to pay his agent

[lickedlollipop]

5yrs? too much!

[lucas]

The likes of Agger and co shouldnt be too far behind now.

I still think this means something's also afoot with the owners.

Lets hope so. I'd love it if Agger signs a new deal too.

[Guest]

5yrs? too much!

Can we close this thread now? News has been passed on and it's on all the papers. Just don't want to see the same **** all over again as to why he was given a 5 year deal.

[wiw]

Can we close this thread now? News has been passed on and it's on all the papers. Just don't want to see the same **** all over again as to why he was given a 5 year deal.

Nope, sorry fredo. It's massive news, we can't just not discuss it

[EwarWoo]

Our best result in the last fortnight, and at the moment that's saying an hell of a lot