Echo "LFC Face Fight To Keep Rafa....!

[old skool tom]

hahahaha whos putting up there dukes? city? spurs? chelsea? manure? the arse?

 

Liverpool Echo.co.uk - Liverpool FC - News - Liverpool FC face fight to keep Rafa Benitez out of Juventus' clutches

 

Liverpool FC face fight to keep Rafa Benitez out of Juventus' clutches

 

Jan 30 2010 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo

 

 

 

LIVERPOOL are facing a fight to hold on to Rafa Benitez after he admitted to being “proud” that Juventus want him to become their manager.

 

The Serie A giants sacked Ciro Ferrara yesterday after being knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Inter Milan and have installed Alberto Zaccheroni as his replacement until the end of the season.

 

Juventus, though, only have eyes for one man in terms of who they want to be their long-term manager – and that is Benitez.

 

Stories have been flying around since Tuesday that Juventus had earmarked Benitez to replace Ferrara and Manuel Garcia Quilon, the Spaniard’s agent, refused to rule out the prospect of him swapping Anfield for the Stadio Olimpico di Torino.

 

Benitez has attempted to defuse the situation but the fact he is clearly flattered to have been linked with a move to Turin shows he is thinking the time might be arriving for a change.

 

“People have been talking and there has been a lot of speculation in the media,” said Benitez.

 

“As a manager, when a top side in Europe is watching you, that is something you have to be proud of.

 

“But, again I will say, I want to fight here, I want to do my job and I want to win.

 

“I want to do things here. I cannot comment on speculation all the time but it is like this. We are preparing for a game against Bolton and I do not want to lose my focus.”

 

Juventus, however, are unlikely to be deterred by that declaration – sources in Italy have revealed a contract offer has already been drawn up – and they will come calling again in the summer if, as expected, Zaccheroni proves to be a stop-gap.

 

“Juventus is a big club and we have played against them in the Champions League (in 2005),” said Benitez.

 

“They know Liverpool and they know we are a top side. They know it is not always easy to do well in the top sides.

 

“They know the market, they know the managers and they want to find someone that is good enough for them.

 

“Again I will say I am proud (to have been linked with them) but I am also proud to be here.”

 

It has been the most testing season of Benitez’s five-and-a-half year reign and there has been intense scrutiny on his position ever since the Reds were sent tumbling out of the Champions League and failed to mount a title challenge before Christmas.

 

He has, in the past, turned down the opportunities to move elsewhere – on a number of occasions rebuffing Real Madrid and, more recently, a club closer to home – but has vowed not to let this saga get in the way of Liverpool’s pursuit of fourth spot.

 

“You cannot stop speculation,” said Benitez.

 

“Three months ago, people are talking and saying ‘Rafa will be fired or Rafa will be sacked’. I then have people at the gate (at Melwood) telling me to be strong and not to give up.

 

“Now I have people saying I will leave. I cannot stop this.

 

"All I can do is my job properly, to analyse things and find solutions for the problems that we have.

 

"We are not losing games now and doing a little better. We have to keep doing the same.”

[Section_31]

Would be the best for all concerned, he'd suit the Italian game and Juve are a great club.

[Jennings]

 

Liverpool Echo.co.uk - Liverpool FC - News - Liverpool FC face fight to keep Rafa Benitez out of Juventus' clutches

 

...

 

This is who we would send to do the 'fighting'

 

[old skool tom]

totally agree.i got laughed at for suggesting rafa will be 'playing the supporters' with this juve issue in the hope that people will 'march' for him and support him loads today so he can see were he stands.if the fans ignore this insecure plea today (which i think/hope they will) then he will use his embarrassing see through 'mind games' to say "its the owners fault,ive got no money so im resigning,not being sacked cos im shit"

 

i dont care what bullshit spin he uses,as long as he just goes