Football Talk : Benitez

Football Talk - Confusion over Benitez status

Editor — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 15:34:00 GMT

Reports that Rafael Benitez has been sacked by Inter have emerged Italy and England, but Nerazzurri president Massimo Moratti has stated that he is still the club's manager. ...(read more)

Football Talk - Liverpool need to spend - 30/04/10

Editor — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:44:00 GMT

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has admitted that he may need to buy almost half a new team in order to rebuild the club in the wake of defeat in the Europa League semi-finals.

The Spaniard admitted the season had been a let down and he will look to buy several new players in the close season. Benitez, who has already agreed a deal with Charlton for Jonjo Shelvey, said:

"Someone said we needed four or five players. I would more or less agree with that. That is what we have to do. Liverpool is a massive club. There has been a change in the last two or three years. We have had to balance the books and manage in this way. I do not know whether I will have any funds. We will find out in the summer. But the name is there and we have to do our best for it."

Whether Benitez is the man to undertake such a rebuilding job remains to be seen. The Spaniard refused to discuss his future, looking no further ahead than the two games his side have left this season. "The future is Chelsea. And then Hull."

Football Talk - Juventus give Benitez ten-day ultimatum - 14/04/10

Editor — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:24:00 GMT

Juventus have given Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez 10 days to decide whether he wants to take charge of the Serie A side next season.

The Spaniard remains the favoured candidate of the Italian club's owners to replace Alberto Zaccheroni, according to a report in today's Daily Telegraph. The newspaper claims that reports that Benitez's agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon, had met Juventus president Jean-Claude Blanc in Milan on Monday were untrue, but sources in Turin insist the Italian club are “90 per cent” confident of landing the Liverpool manager.

Though Benítez would have to work under a technical director at the Stadio Olimpico, Juventus are believed to be ready to grant the Spaniard the independence he enjoys at Anfield, as well as providing him with an extensive back-room team.

Juventus, who have endured a disappointing campaign, are in danger of missing out on a Champions League spot for next season but, unlike Liverpool, have resolved to strengthen their squad, regardless. The freedom to spend will no doubt appeal to Benitez, who has frequently complained about his transfer budget during his six years in charge at Liverpool.

“We have been wheeling and dealing for six years, but if we continue to do that, it will be very difficult to stay at the level everyone is expecting,” he said last week.

Football Talk - Benitez lambasts players - 09/03/10

Editor — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:45:00 GMT

Rafael Benitez was critical of his players after watching them slide to a 1-0 defeat by Wigan. The Spaniard accused his his team of lacking attitude and character, following a defeat that could prove costly to their aspirations of snatching the final Champions League qualifying place....(read more)

Football Talk - Benitez denies Juventus deal - 01/02/10

Editor — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:53:00 GMT

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has dismissed speculation claiming he has agreed a deal to become Juventus' new manager.

Alberto Zaccheroni has been named caretaker coach at the Serie A outfit, but they still remain in the hunt for Ciro Ferrara's long-term successor. Reports had indicated the Spaniard had agreed a deal with Juve and that his lawyers were working on finalising his Anfield departure. However, the former Valencia chief has denied the claims, stating no agreement has been reached with Juventus or anyone else.

"Contrary to reports in the Italian media this weekend, I want to make it absolutely clear I have no agreement with Juventus and have not and will not be meeting Juventus or their representatives or any other club," Benitez told Liverpool's official website. "I have a long term contract with Liverpool and I'll repeat what I said on Friday that I am happy here and my only focus is to do my job as well as I can to get the team back into to the top four, beginning with the derby against Everton."

Football Talk - Juventus sack Ferrara - 29/01/10

Editor — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:32:00 GMT

Juventus have sacked first team coach Ciro Ferrara and appointed former Milan and Inter boss Alberto Zaccheroni in his place until the end of the season.

A statement from Juventus read: "The Bianconeri club announces it has released Ciro Ferrara as coach and appointed Alberto Zaccheroni, who has signed a contract until June 2010. Zaccheroni will take over the team immediately and will guide this afternoon's training session in Vinovo before being officially unveiled to the media."

Juve were knocked out of the Coppa Italia on Thursday night when Mario Balotelli scored a minute from time to give Inter Milan a 2-1 victory and it proved to be the final straw for the juve board who had hitherto offer their backing to Ferrara. Following the match Juventus president Jean-Claude Blanc said: "We are very disappointed, as we have failed at another of our objectives for the season."

Ferrara, 42, had been under pressure since Juve were knocked out of the Champions League in December. Poor form in Serie A has seen the club plummet to sixth in the standings, four points behind Napoli, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot in Serie A. The Italian media suggest Zaccheroni is just a temporary appointment at the Stadio Olimpico Torino, brought in to hold the reins while they line up a long term solution, with the favourite being Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.

It has been sugested that a Juve delegation flew to Merseyside this week to convince the Spaniard to leave Anfield in the summer and tempted Benitez with a contract worth £2.6 million a year, after tax. Speaking at his Friday press conference, ahead of Liverpool's Premier League clash with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, Benitez side-stepped the issue.

"I am not here to talk about speculation because people talk too much,'' said Benitez. "I am focused on preparing my team for the game against Bolton (tomorrow). I know they (Juventus) were interested, that is part of the game now in football, but I am not ready to talk too much because I don't want to lose my focus. When you are a manager and you have clubs asking you have to be proud because they are a top side in Europe but I am really happy here and want to do my job as best I can.''

Caretaker Juve coach Zaccheroni won a league title with Milan in 1999 after making a name for himself at Udinese. But he has not worked since 2007 after less than successful spells at Lazio, Inter and Juve's city rivals Torino.

Football Talk - Torres calls for new signings - 15/01/10

Editor — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:06:00 GMT

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has told the club's owners to buy new players....(read more)

Football Talk - Reds duo support Benitez - 27/11/09

Editor — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:43:00 GMT

Liverpool duo Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina have offered their support to under-pressure manager Rafa Benitez....(read more)

Football Talk - I'll quit if Torres is sold - Benitez - 17/11/09

Editor — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:46:00 GMT

Rafael Benitez has revealed he would be prepared to leave Liverpool if striker Fernando Torres was sold against his will. The club's debts have prompted questions about whether owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett would be tempted by a big-money offer for the Spain striker....(read more)

Football Talk - Liverpool's injury woes deepen - 10/11/09

Editor — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:44:00 GMT

Liverpool suffered more injury woe in the 2-2 draw at home to Birmingham City on Monday, with Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun both forced off....(read more)