Benitez quit rumours still rife despite fresh agent claims
RAFAEL BENITEZ’S future as manager of Liverpool remained under scrutiny last night despite the Spaniard’s agent insisting he wants to stay at Anfield.
Just weeks after suggesting Benitez was ready to join Juventus, Manuel Garcia Quilon now says the 50-year-old is committed to working with any new owners to revive the club’s fortunes.
Those comments were tainted, however, by suggestions that Benitez has cancelled two scheduled meetings with chairman Martin Broughton, even though he insisted he was anxious to hear from the British Airways chairman “sooner rather than later” to discuss plans for the future.
Quilon said: “We have not received any offers from any club. Benitez’s aim is to remain at Liverpool and try to help the team improve with new owners. He is under contract and his wish is to remain at Liverpool.”
Benitez is left to mop up the debris of his worst season in charge of the club, which saw the Reds crash out of the Champions League and Europa League and miss out on a top four place.
The Spaniard is now seeking assurances from the club board for a sizeable transfer kitty to strengthen his first-team squad this summer, but this is being seen as a delay tactic with a £3.5m offer to join the Italian giants reportedly on the table.
Benitez has four years remaining on his long-term contract and would be entitled to around £12m in compensation were he to be sacked.