I wonder if this is true or not
Rafa holds Liverpool to ransomhttp://www.espnstar.com/football/premier-league/news/detail/item208776/Rafa-holds-Liverpool-to-ransom/Rafael Benitez has turned Anfield into a war zone by snubbing a new contract offer and threatening to quit Liverpool.The Anfield boss is close to his limit over the club's refusal to submit to his demands.
Benitez was given the terms to his new four-year deal in midweek, but shocked club supremos by refusing to sign for the fifth time. Co-owner Tom Hicks was thought to have compromised greatly to end three months' worth of negotiations and thoroughly expected Rafa to ink the new deal before the Reds host Manchester City.
However, Benitez has refused to sign off on the deal, in a clear demonstration of defiance, unless the board agrees to make even bigger compromises to suit him. The Spaniard has been pestering his bosses from across the Atlantic by email, accusing the owners of a lack in support.
Rafa has revealed that he cannot work any further under the current Liverpool hierarchy. Hicks has tried to placate his manager so far, but is running out of patience with the Spaniard.
It is now reported that Hicks is frustrated by Benitez's games and is close to suspending talks. The owner's representatives have been working round the clock to come up with an agreement to legitimise Rafa's control in transfers, while clearly being responsible to his board in this matter. The deal is reportedly worth 16 million pounds.
However, Benitez is claiming to Hicks that this is not enough, and is demanding that chief executive Rick Parry be removed from power, and co-owner George Gillett Jr. marginalised.
But Hicks can't give Rafa his word on the matter unless Liverpool is sold, which won't happen any time soon. There are rumours that Real Madrid are interested in securing the services of the former Valencia manager, and that Benitez is just stalling for time for the big move in the summer. Real tried to pry the Spaniard from Liverpool's proverbial fingers in December, but were unsuccessful in their attempt.
Benitez, is adamant that he wants to stay at Liverpool, but according to sources close to the Spaniard, he won't extend his current deal unless there is a major shake-up at Anfield.
The Liverpool manager is risking Hicks calling off negotiations till the offseason.
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Thanks you Yanks. Haven't Man United and Arsenal proven that stability of a manager's position is the key to a title winning team?