GWistooshort

Tony Barrett I think Chelsea's interest [in Torres] will harden in the coming days and weeks

Tony Barrett I think Chelsea's interest [in Torres] will harden in the coming days and weeks

Tony Barrett Dalglish seems the logical short term successor and he is very highly thought of - and very close to - Christian Purslow.

Tony Barrett Liverpool supporters should be as worried about the state of their club now as they ever have been. The fact that they could not even afford to dismiss their manager tells you what a sorry state they are in.

Tony Barrett I wouldn't suggest for a minute that players will leave because Benitez is going but there will be those who will see the ongoing uncertainty as evidence of why they should also leave.

Barrett in his webchat has just said "Benitez will depart and it will almost certainly be confirmed today" http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2010/06/liverpool-webchat-with-tony-barrett.html

The Echo's running a poll on who we want as our next manager Hiddink's leading with 34%, Rafa's 2nd with 25% & King Kenny 3rd with 16% http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/03/vote-who-do-you-want-to-be-liverpool-fc-boss-at-the-start-of-the-next-season-100252-26580366/

Webchat with Tony Barrett at 2.30pm today http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2010/06/liverpool-webchat-with-tony-barrett.html

"We really like Rafa Benitez and he is in our favour since the Champions League final in Istanbul," Inter director Gabriele Oriali told Corriere dello Sport. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_6188937,00.html

Hiddink's agent said yesterday that Inter approached him last week about Hiddink taking over from Mourinho & Hiddink turned them down because he doesn't want to break his contract with Turkey http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/hiddink-not-interested-in-inter-milan-job-1989314.html

BBC now says Rafa "is certain to leave" BBC sports news correspondent Dan Roan said: "The board are in discussions with the manager about him leaving immediately. He is now certain to leave," added Roan. "A severance deal has been offered to Benitez and it is worth significantly more than the £3m that has been reported - he is entitled to £16m as a result of the contract he signed last year. "The club are concerned that details being leaked out could undermine the severance deal, but significantly no replacement for Benitez has so far been approached, but that process is sure to begin shortly." Roan added: "Benitez is currently on holiday but if he decides to accept their offer he could be out by the weekend." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8719210.stm

Article has jus been added to Sky Sports website which says they understand Rafa "will likely confirm his exit within the next 48 hours" http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6188713,00.html

The Daily Telegraph 3 Jun 2010 Liverpool face battle to keep hold of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres By Rory Smith and Mark Ogden Liverpool face a battle to hold on to the club’s captain, Steven Gerrard, regardless of Rafael Benítez’s future, after it emerged that Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has identified the England international as his primary transfer target. Gerrard has insisted he will not make any decision on his future until he returns from World Cup duty, but Wednesday’s reports in the Spanish newspaper Marca – traditionally close to the power-brokers at the Bernabéu – can be taken as a warning that Perez is preparing to offer Liverpool £30 million for the 30 year-old. Pepe Reina, the Liverpool goalkeeper, expressed his hope on Wednesday that Gerrard will ignore the interest from Real. “I hope he will not go, and that he will stay with us for a long time, for the rest of his career,” Reina said from the Spanish national side’s Austrian training camp. “I understand that something will happen, that Real Madrid are interested in Gerrard because Mourinho knows him very well and he is a footballer who can play in any team in the world. He is in the elite, one of the 10 best in the world because he is a very complete player. Hopefully they will not take him.” The Liverpool captain, though, is known to be concerned by the club’s financial plight and, while it is his preference to remain at Anfield, it is thought he would consider a move if Liverpool cannot offer him the reassurances he desires that Benítez, or his replacement, will be given funds to strengthen the squad. It is well-documented that Gerrard’s relationship with his current manager is endured, rather than enjoyed, but sources close to the player insist that his future will not be decided by Benítez. Much the same could be said of both Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano. The former is as worried as Gerrard by the impact Liverpool’s debts may have on the team’s ability to compete, and he too is likely to seek proof that the squad will be bolstered by the “three or four” top-class recruits he has stated are needed to make the club a force again. The striker, who has seen much of his last two campaigns plagued by injury, would not be drawn on his future when asked to confirm he would be at Liverpool next season, insisting he was looking no further than the World Cup. Should Torres decide to leave, though, his options are limited. Manchester City, one of the few clubs who could afford the £70 million fee and £150,000-a-week wages he would command, have insisted they are no longer interested, while Barcelona’s purchase of David Villa appears to preclude a move there. The Spanish international would consider moving to Chelsea, but Carlo Ancelotti is not thought to be targeting a striker, particularly one whose arrival would significantly alter the amount of money he has to spend on other areas of his team. Inter Milan, too, have been linked with a move for Torres, though Massimo Moratti is known to be concerned by the European champions’ need for greater fiscal prudence in light of Uefa’s financial fair play directive. Mascherano’s case is rather more complicated. The player has no issue with his manager, though he is worried by Liverpool’s dramatic collapse last season, while his family remain unsettled on Merseyside. The Argentina captain had agreed a new, £100,000-a-week contract to stay at Anfield but talks stalled before he returned to his homeland to join Diego Maradona’s squad for South Africa. Yossi Benayoun will be allowed to leave should Chelsea return with a bid in the region of £6 million, though if Benítez departs, the Israeli international may choose to bide his time while a new regime is installed at Anfield. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/7798928/Liverpool-face-battle-to-keep-hold-of-Steven-Gerrard-and-Fernando-Torres.html

From Rory Smith in The Telegraph............... "Anfield has been afforded a glimpse of the obscurity which awaits England’s most decorated club in any future in which Hicks and Gillett remain. Whatever his faults, whatever his mistakes, whatever his spend, Benítez’s exit should not be seen as proof that he is the man to blame. Liverpool’s imperfect perfectionist is simply the first victim." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/7798818/Rafa-Benitez-conquered-Europe-with-Liverpool-but-is-now-victim-of-owners-reign.html

& from the Liverpool Echo........................ Rafa Benitez set for Anfield exit as Liverpool FC board seek to agree contract pay-off Jun 3 2010 By James Pearce and Dominic King RAFA BENITEZ’S six-year reign as manager of Liverpool Football Club was all but over after the Anfield board met to discuss terms of his departure. The ECHO understands the Liverpool board tonight approved a deal which would see the Spaniard leave with a £3m pay-off. The move is effectively a vote of no confidence in Benitez and makes his position virtually untenable. Managing director Christian Purslow declined to comment and would only say he was “locked down in a meeting”. Benitez was unavailable for comment. The Spaniard is only 15 months into a lucrative five-year contract at Anfield and if the club sack him he is entitled to a £16m pay-off. However, the club's dire finances – they recently posted record annual losses of £55m – are such that they are not in a position to be able to come up with that sort of money and are hoping a compromise can be swiftly reached which would see Benitez leave my “mutual consent”. In theory Benitez could dig his heels in and remain at Anfield but that appears unlikely now it's been made clear his services are no longer required. A parting of the ways has looked increasingly likely after Liverpool suffered a miserable season. They crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage, lost to lower league side Reading in the FA Cup and could only finish seventh in the Premier League – their worst league position for 11 years. Their failure to qualify for the Champions League next season will cost the club upwards of £20m. Throughout the course of the campaign Benitez grew increasingly disillusioned with the club's off-field problems and in particular the lack of funds invested in the playing squad by co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. The 50-year-old has recently held a series of meetings with Purslow and chairman Martin Broughton in a bid to decide his future. The club insisted they enjoyed a “constructive” discussion but Benitez was known to be frustrated over the lack of assurances over his transfer kitty for this summer and the club’s ongoing search for new investment. Benitez was not given assurances by either man that any money he might raise this summer from potential player sales would be handed straight back to him to re-invest in the squad. Despite the club's £351m debts, Hicks recently claimed the manager would have a “substantial” amount of cash to spend on new players but in reality it's only a maximum of £15m and there was no guarantee he could spend what the club generated by selling their unwanted stars. With the squad needing major strengthening if Liverpool are going to challenge for trophies next season, the former Valencia coach feared with the limited funds available he wouldn't be able to take the club forward. And after such a disappointing season there has been no great desire in the Anfield boardroom to bow to Benitez's demands and convince him to battle on. The board have now decided the current impasse can't be allowed to continue. If and when a pay-off with Benitez is agreed Liverpool will begin the search for a replacement. The fact that the club is currently up for sale complicates matters as it's unlikely Liverpool could offer anyone a long-term contract until new owners are in place. Liverpool officials were today refusing to comment on the meeting that took place at Anfield, while Benitez could not be contacted. It is understood, though, that a parting of the ways between Benitez and the Reds is now almost inevitable, as talks have reached an advanced stage about how much remuneration – among other things – he will receive to go. Benitez – who has won both the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup in 2006 since he arrived at Anfield from Valencia in June 2004 – signed his new five-year contract in March 2009. Anfield’s hierarchy, though, are trying to negotiate a figure that would be suitable to all concerned.While this has clearly been the most turbulent spell of a reign that has been tempestuous ever since the arrival of Tom Hicks and George Gillett as owners, Benitez had indicated he would be prepared to carry on fighting for the club and fans. He is adamant that with the right investment in the squad – signing between five and six players and hanging on to key assets such as Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres – Liverpool would be able to challenge the top four once again. But, much to the dismay of Benitez and supporters, there is no sign that the “substantial” spending Hicks promised last week will come to fruition; to show that, a £2m deal to sign Glasgow Rangers defender Danny Wilson has floundered. Gerrard’s future, meanwhile, has been the topic of much debate in recent weeks and yesterday, the informed Spanish newspaper Marca published a three-page story entitled ‘Gerrard – Caliente Caliente!’ (Gerrard – Hot! Hot!). Marca, of course, is the paper synonymous with Real Madrid and the feature had the Liverpool skipper mocked up wearing Real’s famous white kit, claiming that he “muy cerca del Madrid” – in other words, very close to moving to Madrid. Yet without a significant outlay this summer, it is going to be difficult for Liverpool to push for a European place, let alone them harbouring thoughts about mixing it with those rivals who will be vying for Champions League football. Benitez, 50, has found his position coming under intense scrutiny ever since Juventus tried to woo him to Serie A in January, to replace the sacked Ciro Ferrara; he has also been linked with Inter Milan. There have been several occasions when he came back from the brink and ever since the campaign ended with a 0-0 draw at Hull City, Benitez has constantly stated his wish to remain at Anfield – if others felt the same way. This latest turn of events, nevertheless, show clearly that the mood has changed and it is possible that Benitez spell in the hot seat could be ended before the weekend. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/03/rafa-benitez-set-for-anfield-exit-as-liverpool-fc-board-seek-to-agree-contract-pay-off-100252-26577510/

Article from the Liverpool Daily Post.................. Rafael Benitez on verge of leaving Liverpool after being offered £3million to quit Jun 3 2010 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post RAFAEL BENITEZ’S six-year reign as Liverpool manager appears to be drawing to a close after the club offered him £3million to quit. The Anfield hierarchy have opened talks with the Spaniard to pave the way for his exit after deciding he is no longer the man to deliver progress. With four years remaining of a five-year contract signed in March 2009, Benitez is entitled to a £16m severance package. But Liverpool’s precarious financial position means there is no chance of the club being able to afford that size of pay-off, and are hopeful a compromise deal can be struck with the 50-year-old. If the two parties cannot reach agreement, however, Benitez then faces the prospect of carrying on in a role in which he is no longer wanted by the club’s board. After a series of meetings with new chairman Martin Broughton, it became clear Liverpool could not give the assurances Benitez was seeking over the future direction of the club, particularly concerning access to funds during the forthcoming transfer window. Reports over the weekend suggested the Spaniard would be handed up to £15m – despite co-owner Tom Hicks claiming there would be “substantial” funds available in the summer – but with the futures of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano far from certain, there is a fear any money raised from sales may not exclusively be used to further bolster the squad. Benitez has made no secret of his desire to stay at Anfield, having passed up the opportunity to take over at Juventus last month. However, that came with the proviso “everything is fine” at the club. And with the recent accounts indicating the contrary – Liverpool posted record annual losses of £55m – it is clear the board simply could not – or would not – give the Spaniard the necessary guarantees. Benitez is understood to have expressed doubts the club can recover sufficiently under the controversial ownership of Hicks and George Gillett. But with Hicks holding out for as much as £800m for the club and having intimated it could take up to 18 months for a buyer to be found, it appears the American duo are staying put for the foreseeable future – and prompted Liverpool to make Benitez their offer. No deal has been finalised, but the manager’s position is becoming increasingly untenable, not helped by the recent poor campaign in which Liverpool posted their worst Premier League finish in 11 years and failed to qualify for the Champions League. While no longer enjoying the universal support of Liverpool’s followers, Benitez remains a hugely popular figure among the match-going fans. And news of the board’s move is unlikely to be met with approval from supporters, who have been vociferous in their protestations against Hicks and Gillett and would most likely see the latest development as an attempt to force Benitez out of Anfield. Should Benitez leave, Inter would be one available escape route. Inter president Massimo Moratti went on record earlier this week with his admiration for the Spaniard, as the Serie A side seek a replacement for Jose Mourinho. Benitez took over at Anfield in the summer of 2004 and won the Champions League in his first season and the FA Cup the following campaign before reaching another Champions League final in 2007. Liverpool were Premier League runners-up 12 months ago but hopes of a title tilt this season soon faded as off-field politics and financial concerns once again overshadowed efforts on the field. A Benitez departure could result in Mascherano considering following suit. And while the futures of Gerrard and Torres are not so closely tied to that of their manager, the ongoing uncertainty at Anfield – and the possibility of a stop-gap replacement for Benitez – could push them further towards an exit. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/03/liverpool-fc-latest-rafael-benitez-on-verge-of-leaving-liverpool-after-being-offered-3million-to-quit-92534-26577562/

With the BBC "understands" plus some quotes from Rafa's agent.......... Benitez's agent has said he will speak with the Spaniard on Thursday. BBC Sports News correspondent Dan Roan said: "Members of Liverpool's board were locked in meetings as late as 2330 BST on Wednesday night. "Benitez is currently on holiday but if he decides to accept their offer he could be out by the weekend." The manager's agent Manuel Garcia Quilon said: "We don't know anything more than what's being said. "We're not saying anything." Liverpool declined to comment on the rumours on Wednesday. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8719210.stm

There has been speculation linking Roy Hodgson with the Inter job - he's reportedly good friends with the Inter President from when he did the job before

& indeed the Italian press has been claiming that Inter will be in for Torres if Milito joins Mourinho at Real Madrid http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Euro-Spy-transfer-news-Inter-Milan-to-move-for-Liverpool-s-Fernando-Torres-if-Diego-Milito-leaves-for-Real-Madrid-article444085.html

The Daily Telegraph today says Inter have accepted that Capello is going to stay with England & are interested in Rafa http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/7794669/Massimo-Moratti-to-bide-time-after-admitting-defeat-on-luring-Fabio-Capello-to-Inter-Milan.html

Sky Sports website reckons we're interested in taking 19 year old Daniel Opare on loan from Real Madrid http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_6183423,00.html

The Daily Mirror & the Daily Mail both claim today that Fulham are in talks with Aurelio

Couple of transfer snippets from today's mainstream media............ A Liverpool spokesman is quoted in the Echo as saying “There has been no approach from any club for Yossi Benayoun", but the Echo says Benayoun "looks set to leave Anfield this summer" & "has made no secret of his desire to move to Stamford Bridge". According to the Echo Chelsea "are interested in" Benayoun & are "hoping a deal can be completed before the World Cup finals begin". The paper says Benayoun "grew increasingly frustrated at Anfield last season" as he was substituted 22 times out of 29 starts "much to his displeasure". http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/01/no-bids-received-yet-as-yossi-benayoun-eyes-move-away-from-liverpool-fc-100252-26560590/ The Daily Mail claims Liverpool will demand £10m from Chelsea for Benayoun "in a bid to put them off" because Rafa "would prefer Benayoun to move abroad" rather than join Chelsea, but the player "wants the move to Chelsea & will push for a deal to be done". http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1282954/Liverpool-demand-10m-Chelsea-wantaway-Yossi-Benayoun.html The Liverpool Daily Post says "Liverpool are bracing themselves for an anticipated bid [for Steven Gerrard] from Real Madrid after Jose Mourinho was confirmed coach at the Bernabeu yesterday". http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/01/liverpool-fc-skipper-steven-gerrard-plays-down-fresh-injury-fears-ahead-of-world-cup-2010-92534-26560465/

Good to see.............. Liverpool FC legends urge Tom Hicks and George Gillett to sell up and leave Anfield Jun 1 2010 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo A HOST of Liverpool FC legends today slammed the Anfield reign of co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett and urged the Americans to sell the club. The former players, including ex-captains Phil Thompson and Tommy Smith, admitted they are devastated by what has happened to the Reds since Hicks and Gillett took over in 2007. They fear for Liverpool’s future unless the club is sold quickly. Hicks and Gillett plunged the club into £351m of debt, with annual interest repayments of £40m. Broken promises included their vow to build a new stadium in Stanley Park and invest heavily in the playing squad. Previous owner David Moores admitted last week he “hugely regrets” selling to them and pleaded with Hicks and Gillett to stop “punishing” supporters. Hicks’ response infuriated fans because he claimed the club is in better shape than three years ago. Liverpool went up for sale last month but Hicks has admitted it could be more than a year before a deal is complete. Potential investors were put off by the sky-high asking price of £600m-£800m, three times what they paid to take control in February 2007. The Americans have ignored calls from the ECHO, previous owner Mr Moores and fans’ groups like Spirit Of Shankly to bring their disastrous Anfield tenure to a swift conclusion. But supporters hope they might listen to some of the greatest names in the club's illustrious history. PHIL THOMPSON made 477 appearances for Liverpool between 1972 and 1983. He captained the club to European Cup glory in 1981 and later served the club as assistant manager. He said: “I am an ex-player and an ex-assistant manager but overall I am a fan and I hate seeing the club in the mess it is in at the moment. “As a club, we always did things well in the past but the way things have gone under the current ownership is shameful. “A top-level club needs strong leadership but it is not there. Our owners handle the club from far away and only seem to agree to disagree. “Until the club is sold, we are going nowhere. I heard they want between £600m and £800m and it could take over a year to happen. “It is like a dagger through the heart reading that because we want them gone. “Chairman Martin Broughton has to tell the owners what is a proper price for the club and convince them to get the deal done quickly. “These are worrying times and I am dreading a transfer window where we have to settle for free transfers and cheap buys. We need owners who are going to invest.” TOMMY SMITH is sixth in Liverpool’s all-time appearance list. The “Anfield Iron” played 638 games between 1963 and 1978. He said: “Hicks and Gillett have picked on the wrong people in Liverpool fans. We will not stop until they have gone and the quicker they go, the better. “The amount of money they are asking for is ridiculous. They should be glad to just get their money back. “If it is not sorted out before the start of next season, we are going to be right in the mire. The squad is not good enough and we desperately need money for new players. “I am afraid the likes of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano might decide they have had enough and leave. “Over the past three years, Liverpool have gone from being one of the best-run clubs in the world to one of the worst. We have not won anything under their ownership. “We need owners who will not only invest money but provide leadership. We cannot go forward with these two in charge.” JIMMY CASE won three European Cups and four league titles during a stunning career with the Reds. He played 269 games between 1975 and 1981. He said: “The Americans made promises about what they were going to do in terms of investment in players and building the new stadium but not kept them. “The two of them do not even get on with each other so it was never going to work. “We finished seventh this season so it is obvious something needs to happen. “The problem is they are businessmen rather than football people. “Players and managers come and go, but the club is always there.” ALAN KENNEDY scored the winning goal in the 1981 European Cup final and netted the deciding penalty in the final three years later. He made 359 appearances for the club between 1978 and 1985. He said: “I am saddened by what has happened at the club over the past three years. “I have no doubt Rick Parry and David Moores honestly believed the offer from the Americans would be best for the club. “George Gillett addressed the former players association a few years back to outline their plans. “It all sounded so positive but it just has not happened. “Now we are all worried about the future. What happens now? Is there a billionaire out there? “At the moment there is so much instability and it was the worst 12 months for the club for a long time. “As ex-players, we want to see the club moving in the right direction. We are not happy and I am sure the manager and the players are not happy either. “We need new owners to make a new start with some new players to get us back up there.” JOHN ALDRIDGE was a boyhood Liverpool fan who signed for the club in 1987. During his two and a half years at Anfield, he scored an impressive 63 goals in 104 games. He said: “It is ridiculous for Hicks to say we are in a good situation – we are in a massive mess. “They must realise Liverpool has bottomed out during their ownership. They should be prepared to accept whatever the realistic figure for the club is and leave. “The only way the club can move forward is if the current owners sell up. They have to go for the good of the club. You just hope there is someone out there who is prepared to come in and bail us out. “It can be turned around but we want somebody with our long-term interests at heart.” IAN ST JOHN was one of the most significant signings in Liverpool history. Bought by boss Bill Shankly for a club record £37,500 from Motherwell in 1961, “The Saint” stayed for a decade and scored 118 goals in 425 games. He said: “I do not understand finance and I do not understand how we ended up in so much debt. “How can a successful club like Liverpool, who fill their ground week in, week out, get into the trouble they are in now? I am baffled by it. “There was one disappointment after another in the last few years. We were promised a new stadium but it has not happened. It is easy to pass the buck and say it is all the Americans’ fault. We cannot blame them for all the problems on the pitch. After all, we have had some good players leave and new players come in who are not good enough. “But the fact is that for the first time in 50 years the club is in turmoil. “Everyone had respect for Liverpool because we did things in the right way. We kept our house in order, but now our house is in disarray. “The club was a model for how things should be done but we have certainly lost that image now.” TERRY McDERMOTT played in three European Cup winning sides for Liverpool. The Kirkby-born midfielder made 329 appearances from 1974-1982. He said: “The situation with the owners needs sorting as soon as possible. “It cannot be allowed to fester because things can only get worse if that happens. “Liverpool cannot afford another season like the one they have just had. They need to decide the big issues one way or another now. “It is not for me to say whether Rafa Benitez has done a good job or not, but they have to either back the manager or not. They cannot leave things undecided like they have. “As an ex-player, and someone who remains a fan, it is heartbreaking to see the way the club has gone over the past few years. It really is. “Hicks and Gillett have said they are going to sell, which is good. But they have got to try and make it as easy as possible for anyone coming in, and make sure the deal is done. “If they have proper hearts, as they say they do, they must make it a quick and painless sale, so Liverpool can get back to where they belong – at the top.” http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/01/liverpool-fc-legends-urge-tom-hicks-and-george-gillett-to-sell-the-anfield-club-100252-26560107/