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.
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.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment