Juve: Quit Liverpool by next Friday if you want to be our boss

Originally posted in the Rafa debate thread, but I think it needs its own topic.

Juventus tell Rafa Benitez: Quit Liverpool if you want to be our boss

Juventus will give Rafa Benitez an ultimatum by insisting he decides next week whether to be their new manager.

The Italian giants have been courting the Liverpool boss by since Christmas, and his agent met with Juve President Jean-Claude Blanc only days ago in Milan, to discuss the summer vacancy.

But even though he has constantly refused to rule himself out of the role, Benitez has never committed himself either, as he looks to consolidate his position at Anfield.

Now, the Serie A side are prepared to put the Spaniard on the spot, by demanding a decision before the end of the next week.

Benitez wants to stay in England with Liverpool, but he knows his position is not entirely secure after a disappointing season.

Ideally, he would like to keep Juve as an option should he be forced out at the end of the season, but this move by the Italians will force him to make a decision earlier.

The Italians are desperate to resolve their managerial situation after going through three bosses in the last 12 months.

Claudio Ranieri was sacked at the end of last season, and his replacement Ciro Ferrara was also dismissed in January, after a series of poor results.

The current incumbent Alberto Zaccheroni is seen only as a temporary solution, and president Blanc wants a high profile manager confirmed as quickly as possible.

He wants Benitez to offer a firm commitment, otherwise he will turn to his other prefered candidates for the job, Brazil coach Dunga and Cagliari head coach Massimiliano Allegri.

While Benitez was considering his future last night, Liverpool were finalising deals that will have a significant impact on the long-term prospects of the club.

A formal announcement is expected today that will signal the end of the regime of owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, and also confirm that up to £50million will be made available to strengthen the team in the summer.

The Mirror has learned the American pair will accept changes to the structure of the Anfield board, which will effectively remove them from the decision-making process.

We revealed on Monday that the current owners are ready to officially confirm they will put their entire shareholding up for sale, and the announcement will also say that Martin Broughton, the chairman of British Airways and former president of the CBI, is the new Chairman of Liverpool, with the pair stepping down from that joint role.

Sources close to Anfield though, have revealed that while Hicks and Gillett will remain on the board, they will retain only one vote each, allowing Broughton, along with MD Christian Purslow, commercial director Ian Ayre and chief financial officer Philip Nash - who will all have a vote - to take full control of operational running.

The Americans have been in talks with both Barclays Capital and RBS over a refinancing package, and both potential lenders have confirmed they will do business if the changes are made, to allow Broughton and Purslow to run the club without interference.

Both banks believe the search for a new buyer is being hampered by the reputation of Hicks and Gillett, and they believe Broughton will offer crucial credibility in securing the long term future.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Juventus-tell-Rafa-Benitez-Quit-Liverpool-by-next-Friday-if-you-want-to-be-our-boss-article391581.html

Just seen it reported on SSN too. However, apparently his agent has said that Rafa will work the remainder of his contract.

I'm not too sure what to think really. What are the chances? Surely he wouldn't leave so suddenly?

Just seen it reported on SSN too. However, apparently his agent has said that Rafa will work the remainder of his contract.

I'm not too sure what to think really. What are the chances? Surely he wouldn't leave so suddenly?

Rafa ddin't fully distance himself from the Juve job when he was first linked with it at the turn of the year - but there is no way he'll leave before the end of the season, thereafter

Originally posted in the Rafa debate thread, but I think it needs its own topic.

Juventus tell Rafa Benitez: Quit Liverpool if you want to be our boss

Juventus will give Rafa Benitez an ultimatum by insisting he decides next week whether to be their new manager.

The Italian giants have been courting the Liverpool boss by since Christmas, and his agent met with Juve President Jean-Claude Blanc only days ago in Milan, to discuss the summer vacancy.

But even though he has constantly refused to rule himself out of the role, Benitez has never committed himself either, as he looks to consolidate his position at Anfield.

Now, the Serie A side are prepared to put the Spaniard on the spot, by demanding a decision before the end of the next week.

Benitez wants to stay in England with Liverpool, but he knows his position is not entirely secure after a disappointing season.

Ideally, he would like to keep Juve as an option should he be forced out at the end of the season, but this move by the Italians will force him to make a decision earlier.

The Italians are desperate to resolve their managerial situation after going through three bosses in the last 12 months.

Claudio Ranieri was sacked at the end of last season, and his replacement Ciro Ferrara was also dismissed in January, after a series of poor results.

The current incumbent Alberto Zaccheroni is seen only as a temporary solution, and president Blanc wants a high profile manager confirmed as quickly as possible.

He wants Benitez to offer a firm commitment, otherwise he will turn to his other prefered candidates for the job, Brazil coach Dunga and Cagliari head coach Massimiliano Allegri.

While Benitez was considering his future last night, Liverpool were finalising deals that will have a significant impact on the long-term prospects of the club.

A formal announcement is expected today that will signal the end of the regime of owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, and also confirm that up to £50million will be made available to strengthen the team in the summer.

The Mirror has learned the American pair will accept changes to the structure of the Anfield board, which will effectively remove them from the decision-making process.

We revealed on Monday that the current owners are ready to officially confirm they will put their entire shareholding up for sale, and the announcement will also say that Martin Broughton, the chairman of British Airways and former president of the CBI, is the new Chairman of Liverpool, with the pair stepping down from that joint role.

Sources close to Anfield though, have revealed that while Hicks and Gillett will remain on the board, they will retain only one vote each, allowing Broughton, along with MD Christian Purslow, commercial director Ian Ayre and chief financial officer Philip Nash - who will all have a vote - to take full control of operational running.

The Americans have been in talks with both Barclays Capital and RBS over a refinancing package, and both potential lenders have confirmed they will do business if the changes are made, to allow Broughton and Purslow to run the club without interference.

Both banks believe the search for a new buyer is being hampered by the reputation of Hicks and Gillett, and they believe Broughton will offer crucial credibility in securing the long term future.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Juventus-tell-Rafa-Benitez-Quit-Liverpool-by-next-Friday-if-you-want-to-be-our-boss-article391581.html

Just seen it reported on SSN too. However, apparently his agent has said that Rafa will work the remainder of his contract.

I'm not too sure what to think really. What are the chances? Surely he wouldn't leave so suddenly?

Just seen that myself, hadn't heard this cracker though, sounds a bit too made up that about quitting by next Friday.

Plus on that SSN bit, it's funny how the claims are that Rafa's agent met with Juve's representatives in Milan, but his agent is claiming he was in Madrid.

Although the quote from his agent was "will work the remainder of his contract on principle."

Isn't this the same reporter that had everyone smiling about the yanks selling up yesterday?

Isn't this the same reporter that had everyone smiling about the yanks selling up yesterday?

Yep covers both Liverpool and Everton for the Mirror. Don't you remember the piece he did about Houllier, when he sold Fowler? Was very scathing about the way Houllier treated Robbie.

Rafa to Juve? Sh*te,next.

Is that even legal - telling another team's manager to quit the job to become their manager?

And I don't really see why would Rafa want to go to Italy?

I dont know if the story has any truth to it or not.  However, what would you do?  If Hicks and Gillette are going to continue and just sit on the club spend as little as possible and continue expecting results, I would probably think that a move to Juventus is good.  Face facts Juve is one of the top 10 clubs in the world.  So is Liverpool.  But will Rafa be able to have a little more control and be allowed to bring in talent with an open check book?  If Juve say, " Well give you as much money as you need to get us back in the top spot" I think he would jump at the chance.

Working for H&G must be hell. Like hitting your head against a wall every day. They wont spend money, they fight with eachother, they still have no real plans for a stadium, anyone who shows interest in buying the club mysteriously disappears and we never hear from them again. Now the CL money they need to keep up any hopes of staying in the top 4 may not be their next season.  So, I dont know if he's going to stay.  I have no doubt he cares for Liverpool and knows what it means to be the manager but I think the working conditions for him are unbearable.

Wow pretty big news, don't know what to think, as a couple of you have said he didn't rule it out when he was linked with them, it would be a bad way for him to go. Be interesting to see Rafa's reply to this.

Something tells me he doesn't want a job at Juve. What kind of club demands a manager to give up on their club through the media. Juve just show how demanding they will be, aka no free roam for rafa, I hope he stays here.

No way would Rafa leave us at this moment in time, if that article about H & G is to be believed this could be one of the best time's for Liverpool to re unite and become a bigger, stronger squad then we have ever been before in time for next season, Rafa love's Liverpool and until he gets the boot i cant see him leaving.

if he leaves we're really fu**ed up royally in the ass

He won't go. Not to a lesser club.

Which, in turn, means he won't go anywhere. There is no bigger club than Liverpool FC.

Rafa has Red pride - and you don't lose Red pride.

I dont think he wants to leave.  In his mind I think he wants to be the next Shankly or Paisley and retire with an ass full of Cups and championships.  So If he does leave I would have to lay the blame right on the current ownership group.  The only other sports franchise with as much history and respect as Liverpool is the Yankees.  Being coach of Liverpool is a very, very limited and small club.  Not too many men can claim that on a resume.

I would also think that any club that expects a manager to abandon his current team before the season ends and come to them is an organization which lacks credibility, instantly.

I hope he stays, he knows this club from the inside being as most appointments in the last year are Rafas, so why when he is about to get 50 mill for players (if true), would he want to leave now. If what I read is true then this could lead soon to the selling of the club by these dumbwits, and it won't come soon enough.

F**k off Juve.

Rafa's one of us!

Juve: Quit Liverpool by next Friday if you want to be our boss

Diego: F**k off cheating bas**rds

I am glad so many clubs are interested in Rafa though, just goes to show he is a top manager.

 I do not believe RAFA will go to Juventus for one minute,but if he did there would be a small matter of compensation.He has about 4 years left on his contract so that would be worth a few quid.

I do not believe RAFA will go to Juventus for one minute,but if he did there would be a small matter of compensation.He has about 4 years left on his contract so that would be worth a few quid.

If he left voluntarily, there'd be no compensation.

F**k off Juve.

Rafa's one of us!

This.

Where the F**k do Juve get off making an ultimatum? He's under contract for fucks sake! Isn't this basically tapping up?

If he left voluntarily it is he, or in this case probably Juventus who would have to pay compensation to the LFC.

With 3 managers being rid of in 12 months the Juventus job is hardly one for anybody who likes job security.

How can the same paper go from one extreme to the other in the day.

I f**king can't stand the media. A load of me arse this by the way, not a concern. Rafa wouldn't do that to us and I'm fairly sure Juventus wouldn't offer an ultimatum to Benitez. It's like cutting your nose off to spite your face. Why potentially piss him off when they could very possibly have him in the next few years anyway?