Brendan Rodgers VS Rafael Benitez Transfer Spend

It was not an extension, it was a brand new contract, which never started. If he kept his mouth shut for a few more months, rather than come out swinging at all and sundry at every opportunity, he would have got to subject us to 4 more years of "controlling the game", while our rivals got on with "winning the game".

Rafael Benitez signs new Liverpool contract until 2014

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has finally ended speculation over his future, signing a four-year contract extension worth around £20 million that will keep him at Anfield until 2014.

Rafael Benitez signs new Liverpool deal
Done deal: Rafael Benitez has put pen to paper on a new five year deal at Liverpool Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Rafael Benitez has ended speculation by signing Liverpool contract until 2014
 By Paul Kelso, Chief Sports Reporter

10:01PM GMT 18 Mar 2009
After months of tortured negotiations that have seen the contract redrafted at least eight times, Benitez and the American co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, finally agreed terms yesterday afternoon.

The removal of chief executive Rick Parry, who leaves in May, is understood to have been the key in persuading Benitez to extend a relationship that began in 2004.

Parry’s exit was announced just after the first leg of the Champions League tie with Real Madrid, and once the second leg and the Premier League visit to Manchester United were completed with handsome victories, Benitez decided to end the uncertainty.


The deal was closed with a series of faxes and telephone conversations between the Spaniard’s advisers and the Americans. Frustration at Benitez’s prevarication has been growing, with some connected with the club suspecting he was holding out for an offer from Real Madrid.


Benitez has repeatedly used the contract negotiations to enhance his position at Anfield. He has often raised the stakes, twice publicly rejecting contract offers on the eve of crucial league matches since January.


Inside Rafa's new deal
 19 Mar 2009


He has also quibbled over detail, demanding that the contract be paid in euros, then sterling, and seeking a clause that allows him to leave if the club is sold and he does not like the new owners.

“My heart is with Liverpool Football Club, so I’m delighted to sign this new deal,’’ Benitez said last night. “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.”

“It is wonderful news that Rafa has made a long-term commitment to the football club,’’ said Hicks. Gillett said: “With Rafa continuing to manage the team, we can look forward to more great football and success on the pitch.”

Big deal - How the Benitez contract saga unfolded: 

August 2008: Benitez reportedly comes close to quitting the club over their failure to back his transfer bid for Gareth Barry.

November 2008: The club’s co-owner Tom Hicks expresses his desire to sort Benitez’s long-term future out and talks over a five-year extension open.

December 2008: Benitez agrees personal terms on the extension to his current contract. Sources close to the deal intimate that money is not an issue. Benitez is concerned, though, that he should play a more active role in setting valuations on transfer targets and the two sides fail to agree a deal.

January 2009: The Spaniard turns down two drafts of his deal amid fears he does not enjoy the same level of control in the transfer market as several of his Premier League counterparts. He also wants assurances on contracts for his coaches and criticises the club for being slow to offer players such as Daniel Agger new deals.

February 2009: Benitez turns down another draft of his deal after asking for guarantees over his own personal position in the event that the club is sold or secures new investment. He insists he does want to stay but admits there are no guarantees that he will be able to.

February 2009: A flurry of bets force bookmakers to stop all wagers on whether Benitez will quit as Liverpool manager by the end of the month.

March 2009: Chief executive Rick Parry announces he is to leave the club at the end of the season after 12 years at the helm.

March 18 2009: Benitez finally puts pen to paper on a new five-year deal after the club satisfies all of his demands, stating he would never have been able to say no to staying.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/5013271/Rafael-Benitez-signs-new-Liverpool-contract-until-2014.html

Contract signed 2009 Rafa left 2010

It wouldn't happen, as he might be expected to win a league there, rather than "make progress".

It was not an extension, it was a brand new contract, which never started. If he kept his mouth shut for a few more months, rather than come out swinging at all and sundry at every opportunity, he would have got to subject us to 4 more years of "controlling the game", while our rivals got on with "winning the game". Regardless what he thinks of the current owners (in)competence, Rodgers doesn't criticise them in public, so keeps his job.

5 years on, Rafa still has no league title. He hasn't made much progress in the European Cup since either. The decision to remove him was the correct decision.

What are you going on about? Are you drunk?

So he was on an existing contract and was offered a new contract but this was not an "extension"?

Your point was that Rodgers was offered an extension because the owners are happy with his progress therefore he is a better than Rafa but you forgot (or more likely didn't know) that Rafa was offered, and signed, his new contract / extension which renders your point bullshit.

i think you've managed to confuse yourself once again.

As I said before your whole argument rests on Brendan being "better" because he qualified for the Champions League once whereas Rafa qualified consistently, reached the final twice and won the whole thing.

Clueless. You don't know a thing about the club. Your hit rate with your posts is worse than Robbie Keane shooting at an empty net.

It wouldn't happen, as he might be expected to win a league there, rather than "make progress".

It was not an extension, it was a brand new contract, which never started. If he kept his mouth shut for a few more months, rather than come out swinging at all and sundry at every opportunity, he would have got to subject us to 4 more years of "controlling the game", while our rivals got on with "winning the game". Regardless what he thinks of the current owners (in)competence, Rodgers doesn't criticise them in public, so keeps his job.

5 years on, Rafa still has no league title. He hasn't made much progress in the European Cup since either. The decision to remove him was the correct decision.

why do you continue with this you are really making a c**t out of yourself. We get it you didnt rate Rafa Benitez thats ok we all have opinions but to go on and on and on and on  like Mrs Doyle is just tedious.

God I miss Rafa

God I miss Rafa

I missed Brendan but I will get him with the next shot.

God I miss Rafa

yes the man who made us no 1 in Europe, how far we have dropped now is just scary we are not  the same club

Just posted in the match thread:

22 Mar 15   Liverpool   1-2   Manchester U.   +   -   -   0-1 Loss
4 Apr 15   Arsenal   4-1   Liverpool   +   -   -   3-0         Loss
13 Apr 15   Liverpool   2-0   Newcastle Utd   -   +   -   1-0 Win
25 Apr 15   West Bromwich   0-0   Liverpool   -   +   +   0-0 Draw
28 Apr 15   Hull City   1-0   Liverpool   -   -   +   1-0         Loss
2 May 15   Liverpool   2-1   QP Rangers   +   -   -   1-0 Win
10 May 15   Chelsea   1-1   Liverpool   -   -   -   1-1         Draw
16 May 15   Liverpool   1-3   Crystal Pala.   +   -   -   1-1 Loss
24 May 15   Stoke City   6-1   Liverpool   +   -   -   5-0         Loss
9 Aug   Stoke City   0-1   Liverpool   -   +   -   0-0         Win
17 Aug   Liverpool   1-0   Bournemouth   -   +   -   1-0 Win
24 Aug   Arsenal   0-0   Liverpool   -   +   +   0-0         Draw
29 Aug   Liverpool   0-3   West Ham Utd   +   -   +   0-2 Loss
12 Sep   Manchester U.   3-1   Liverpool   +   -   -   0-0 Loss

So that is actually Wins 4 Draws 3 Lost 7

So that is 15 points from a possible 42, or 1.07 points per game, so
we might just about survive relegation at that rate.

In that time we have scored 12, Conceded 25

Its over, he has to go.

God I miss Rafa

Likewise.

Always have done. Always will.

Just posted in the match thread:

22 Mar 15   Liverpool   1-2   Manchester U.   +   -   -   0-1 Loss
4 Apr 15   Arsenal   4-1   Liverpool   +   -   -   3-0         Loss
13 Apr 15   Liverpool   2-0   Newcastle Utd   -   +   -   1-0 Win
25 Apr 15   West Bromwich   0-0   Liverpool   -   +   +   0-0 Draw
28 Apr 15   Hull City   1-0   Liverpool   -   -   +   1-0         Loss
2 May 15   Liverpool   2-1   QP Rangers   +   -   -   1-0 Win
10 May 15   Chelsea   1-1   Liverpool   -   -   -   1-1         Draw
16 May 15   Liverpool   1-3   Crystal Pala.   +   -   -   1-1 Loss
24 May 15   Stoke City   6-1   Liverpool   +   -   -   5-0         Loss
9 Aug   Stoke City   0-1   Liverpool   -   +   -   0-0         Win
17 Aug   Liverpool   1-0   Bournemouth   -   +   -   1-0 Win
24 Aug   Arsenal   0-0   Liverpool   -   +   +   0-0         Draw
29 Aug   Liverpool   0-3   West Ham Utd   +   -   +   0-2 Loss
12 Sep   Manchester U.   3-1   Liverpool   +   -   -   0-0 Loss

So that is actually Wins 4 Draws 3 Lost 7

So that is 15 points from a possible 42, or 1.07 points per game, so
we might just about survive relegation at that rate.

In that time we have scored 12, Conceded 25

Its over, he has to go.

That is truly a Hodgesque set of results to be honest. I know a few said it in the match thread and it seemed harsh at the time but that is impossible to defend.

That is truly a Hodgesque set of results to be honest. I know a few said it in the match thread and it seemed harsh at the time but that is impossible to defend.

yes and some were saying "its only four games" but it isnt is it even with a change of personel its the same results as last season the constant is Brendan. Now even having Brendan's name quoted with Rafa's seems very insulting to the success Rafa brought to this club.

One step nearer the jobcentre for BR, The writing is well and truly on the wall, at least as far as most of the fans are concerned.

Can we stop with the Rafa talk. He's no god ffs and has gotten worse the last 5 years as a manager.

Just posted in the match thread:

22 Mar 15   Liverpool   1-2   Manchester U.   +   -   -   0-1 Loss
4 Apr 15   Arsenal   4-1   Liverpool   +   -   -   3-0         Loss
13 Apr 15   Liverpool   2-0   Newcastle Utd   -   +   -   1-0 Win
25 Apr 15   West Bromwich   0-0   Liverpool   -   +   +   0-0 Draw
28 Apr 15   Hull City   1-0   Liverpool   -   -   +   1-0         Loss
2 May 15   Liverpool   2-1   QP Rangers   +   -   -   1-0 Win
10 May 15   Chelsea   1-1   Liverpool   -   -   -   1-1         Draw
16 May 15   Liverpool   1-3   Crystal Pala.   +   -   -   1-1 Loss
24 May 15   Stoke City   6-1   Liverpool   +   -   -   5-0         Loss
9 Aug   Stoke City   0-1   Liverpool   -   +   -   0-0         Win
17 Aug   Liverpool   1-0   Bournemouth   -   +   -   1-0 Win
24 Aug   Arsenal   0-0   Liverpool   -   +   +   0-0         Draw
29 Aug   Liverpool   0-3   West Ham Utd   +   -   +   0-2 Loss
12 Sep   Manchester U.   3-1   Liverpool   +   -   -   0-0 Loss

So that is actually Wins 4 Draws 3 Lost 7

So that is 15 points from a possible 42, or 1.07 points per game, so
we might just about survive relegation at that rate.

In that time we have scored 12, Conceded 25

Its over, he has to go.

Hodgson won 13 games of his 31. Rodgers 14 of his last 31. #progress

Can we stop with the Rafa talk. He's no god ffs and has gotten worse the last 5 years as a manager.

Oh yeah

sh*t house he is now managing Yeovil

Oh yeah

Sh*t house he is now managing Yeovil

Capello has managed a sh*te load of good teams likewise Mancini. They aren't good managers, are they?

Capello has managed a sh*te load of good teams likewise Mancini. They aren't good managers, are they?

7 odd league titles and a couple of CL (as well as others) Capello

Yeah I'd say he was good in his day

If you're comparing Rodgers to Capello in his heyday or Rafa good luck to you

7 odd league titles and a couple of CL (as well as others) Capello

Yeah I'd say he was good in his day

If you're comparing Rodgers to Capello in his heyday or Rafa good luck to you

Mate, Rodgers is a sh*te manager. I've been saying that he should be gone since Christmas. I wouldn't be happy with Rafa or Capello replacing him. Only Klopp, Ancelotti and Pelligrini I would be happy with

Mate, Rodgers is a sh*te manager. I've been saying that he should be gone since Christmas. I wouldn't be happy with Rafa or Capello replacing him. Only Klopp, Ancelotti and Pelligrini I would be happy with

With FSG in charge I'd set your sights more at Monk or Howe

the person who replaced him wasn't good enough to manage Liverpool FC - therefore it was a bad decision, you should only replace with better.

You replace a coach when he's failed to meet his targets. We were 7th in 2010 and getting worse, so the change was made. We went out and headhunted the then Manager of the Year, who had worked wonders at his previous club, and had just got them to a UEFA Cup Final. Sound familiar?

It didn't work out as planned, but 6 months later, the King was back on his throne and 12 months later, the trophy cabinet was getting spring cleaned for the first time in 6 years.

So he was on an existing contract and was offered a new contract but this was not an "extension"?

Your point was that Rodgers was offered an extension because the owners are happy with his progress therefore he is a better than Rafa

Take 4:

A new contract is a new contract, it is NOT an extension of a current contract.

Rafa won in Istanbul. Great as it was, that was not what he was brought to Liverpool for. He had a ECQ spot when he arrived, he was specifically brought here to go on from there and win us the league. He failed and was eventually fired.

Brendan got us back into the European Cup, which is exactly what he was brought to Liverpool for, and the main reason he is still here. It doesn't mean he's necessarily better, it means what it says, i.e. he met his target. That is my point, nothing confusing about it, it's pretty straightforward and should be very easy to understand.

Just posted in the match thread:

So that is actually Wins 4 Draws 3 Lost 7

So that is 15 points from a possible 42, or 1.07 points per game.

In that time we have scored 12, Conceded 25

All very well, but rather pointless tbh. Today we are 2 points off the owners target, with 33 games remaining and 2 of the most difficult trips already completed.

If you want him to go, that's your view, but  prepare to be disappointed. He's 5 games into a new contract so if you think he's going anywhere in the near future, you can think again.

You replace a coach when he's failed to meet his targets. We were 7th in 2010 and getting worse, so the change was made. We went out and headhunted the then Manager of the Year, who had worked wonders at his previous club, and had just got them to a UEFA Cup Final. Sound familiar?

It didn't work out as planned, but 6 months later, the King was back on his throne and 12 months later, the trophy cabinet was getting spring cleaned for the first time in 6 years.

Take 4:

A new contract is a new contract, it is NOT an extension of a current contract.

Rafa won in Istanbul. Great as it was, that was not what he was brought to Liverpool for. He had a ECQ spot when he arrived, he was specifically brought here to go on from there and win us the league. He failed and was eventually fired.

Brendan got us back into the European Cup, which is exactly what he was brought to Liverpool for, and the main reason he is still here. It doesn't mean he's necessarily better, it means what it says, i.e. he met his target. That is my point, nothing confusing about it, it's pretty straightforward and should be very easy to understand.

All very well, but rather pointless tbh. Today we are 2 points off the owners target, with 33 games remaining and 2 of the most difficult trips already completed.

If you want him to go, that's your view, but  prepare to be disappointed. He's 5 games into a new contract so if you think he's going anywhere in the near future, you can think again.

STOP POSTING LIES!!!!!!!

You replace a coach when he's failed to meet his targets. We were 7th in 2010 and getting worse, so the change was made. We went out and headhunted the then Manager of the Year, who had worked wonders at his previous club, and had just got them to a UEFA Cup Final. Sound familiar?

It didn't work out as planned, but 6 months later, the King was back on his throne and 12 months later, the trophy cabinet was getting spring cleaned for the first time in 6 years.

Take 4:

A new contract is a new contract, it is NOT an extension of a current contract.

Rafa won in Istanbul. Great as it was, that was not what he was brought to Liverpool for. He had a ECQ spot when he arrived, he was specifically brought here to go on from there and win us the league. He failed and was eventually fired.

Brendan got us back into the European Cup, which is exactly what he was brought to Liverpool for, and the main reason he is still here. It doesn't mean he's necessarily better, it means what it says, i.e. he met his target. That is my point, nothing confusing about it, it's pretty straightforward and should be very easy to understand.

All very well, but rather pointless tbh. Today we are 2 points off the owners target, with 33 games remaining and 2 of the most difficult trips already completed.

If you want him to go, that's your view, but  prepare to be disappointed. He's 5 games into a new contract so if you think he's going anywhere in the near future, you can think again.

, ever since Brendan arrived you have been banging on tirelessly about how he is a better manager than Rafa - now we are into his fourth season and even you can't stand by that bullshit any more you now say he "isn't necessarily better" rather than standing by your posts or holding your hands up to admit you were wrong.

Instead you try and make up some ridiculous bullshit about Rodgers signing an extension whereas Rafa signed a new contract in some convoluted way to try and justify your rubbish - I notice in your latest post you have again confused yourself and are now saying Rodgers did indeed sign a new contract.

As I pointed out before, you went quiet when you said Rafa would never manage a big club again, you went quiet when you predicted he wouldn't win another trophy again, you went quiet when you said he would never become the manager of Real Madrid and now you are counting on him never winning a league again - let's see how that prediction turns out for you. You would actually think, with law of averages, you would be right once in a while but it hasn't happened for you.

Utterly clueless. It was hard enough for you to top off your posting about wanting United to lose when their victory would have done us a huge favour in winning the league. Or your comment that "scientists are paid to invent stuff and discover things and footballers aren't" but once again you have managed.


Sometimes I feel sad thinking about Rafa leaving the club but then I reflect he is better off at Real Madrid rather than leading fans like you. You don't deserve a manager like Rafa and that's why you don't deserve to follow a successful club.

It wouldn't happen, as he might be expected to win a league there, rather than "make progress".

It was not an extension, it was a brand new contract, which never started. If he kept his mouth shut for a few more months, rather than come out swinging at all and sundry at every opportunity, he would have got to subject us to 4 more years of "controlling the game", while our rivals got on with "winning the game". Regardless what he thinks of the current owners (in)competence, Rodgers doesn't criticise them in public, so keeps his job.

5 years on, Rafa still has no league title. He hasn't made much progress in the European Cup since either. The decision to remove him was the correct decision.

BALLS! If we had Rafa today, we wouldn't be on this sorry state of affairs!

Steven Gerrard: Rafael Benitez was cold and controlling

Steven Gerrard says his relationship with former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was "distant and emotionless".

The 35-year-old midfielder, who left Anfield in May after 17 years, revealed the details in his autobiography. 

"I can pick up the phone and speak to all of my previous Liverpool managers, except for Rafa," said Gerrard.

"It's a shame because we shared the biggest night of our careers - the 2005 Champions League victory in Istanbul - yet there is no bond between us."

Former England captain Gerrard insists the "frostiness" made him a better player as he had "a hunger" to get a compliment from the Spaniard.

"On a basic human level I prefer a likeable manager, such as Gerard Houllier or Brendan Rodgers, but in terms of football I really don't mind working with a colder man," added Gerrard, who joined LA Galaxy this summer.

"An emotionless and distant relationship with the likes of Rafa Benitez and Fabio Capello can sometimes produce more success."

Facts, facts, facts

In January 2009, with Liverpool top of the Premier League, then-Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson commented that nerves might ruin the Reds' title bid.

Benitez, in a bizarre and passionate news conference, responded to this by pulling out a sheet of paper and reading out a list of accusations about Ferguson's conduct regarding referees, the FA's Respect campaign and fixture lists. Benitez backed up his points by saying "this is a fact".

But Gerrard, who played 710 times for Liverpool, was left cringing by the exchange.

"Rafa kept saying 'fact, fact, fact' and I could not believe what I was hearing," said Gerrard. "I was grabbing the couch, digging my fingers into the arms, feeling embarrassed for him.

"When I met up with England, all the Manchester United players told me Fergie was just laughing at Rafa, saying: 'I've got him, I've got him'."

Benitez left Liverpool in June 2010 and is now in charge at Real Madrid.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34235825

I always felt the relationship between Gerrard and Rafa was a strange one. I remember when Gerrard asked for a transfer and was about to go to Chelsea all Rafa said was "now we can go shopping" as if he welcomed the opportunity.

Similarly after the F.A. CUP FINAL when asked what he thought of Gerrard's wonder goal he said " It was a great save by Pepe" which had me wondering WTF!

From what I understand Gerrard and Carra didn't exactly welcome Rafa with open arms when he first met them at the Euros, so maybe that didn't help.