Rafa finally utters those three magic words

After all the rumour mongering, started by a bookmakers of all places, Liverpool fans could be forgiven for watching thier Champions League match against Real Madrid with hands over thier eyes. Liverpool won, 1-0 thanks to a late Yossi Benayoun header, but Benitez didn’t state in the post match interview with English broadcaster ITV that he was deffo staying put.

Fortunatly for Liverpool supporters who don’t want to see the back of Rafa, the Liverpool manager has finally uttered the three magic words they wanted to hear.

“I am staying”.

Glad you cleared that up Rafa. Still how long he’s staying is clearly open to debate…

“I need to keep working and win games for Liverpool then I will speak to the owners further down the track,” the Liverpool manager added. “My lawyer was talking to the owners’ advisers and there will be discussions in the future. I will try to enjoy this victory for now, not worry about negotiations. We have plenty of time; my lawyers will talk with the advisers of the owners and we will talk about it.”

To me, that doesn’t sound like a man who is going to stay in the job too much longer. I feel he might see out the end of the season, but lawyers and advisors doesn’t suggest “YES! GIVE THE CONTRACT! Where do I sign? Do you have a pen? No? No worries, I’ll sign in blood” sort of commitment now does it?

Perhaps deep-down Benitez knows it might be time to move on. This season represents his best chance of giving Liverpool the title, and even then they have fallen away from the pace. He’s already won a Champions League, but of course, he relationship with Liverpool owners (though for how much longer?) Hicks and Parry is famously not the best.

It can’t be good for team morale knowing this is hanging over them either. Benitez only has to look over the city to Everton, who started badly at the start of the season when there were doubts over Davod Moyes position, but once the Scot signed, Everton rallied and have charged up the league table.

Benitez is trying to ignore/put to the back of everyone’s minds the whole contractual issue, but sometimes I think Rafa shows he’s a bit naiive. Not on the pitch, but when dealing with the press. The only way he can stop the speculation is by signing a contract, or at least by saying he’s definatly going to.

Untill he does, this story has more legs.

Some Related Premier League Posts:

Category: Liverpool