Benitez on brink?

Is Rafa Benitez's position at Liverpool under threat? Join the Sky Sports debate

Last updated: 26th November 2007  

Benitez on brink?

Benitez: Is his relationship with Liverpool's owners beyond repair?

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Rafa Bentiez's position as Liverpool boss looks to be under threat, according to reports.

Most of the Monday papers claim that Benitez is on borrowed time after a further breakdown in his relationship with the club's owners - but what do you think?

The Liverpool boss has complained that Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillet 'do not understand' the transfer system in Europe. Do you agree with the Spaniard?

Are the American owners right that Benitez should concentrate on coaching the players and leave transfer dealings to others?

Have they provided sufficient funds for Benitez to build a team capable of challenging for the Premier League title or do they need to back the manager's judgement and dip into their wallets to provide more cash?

Join the Sky Sports debate using the form below.

Comments (63)

Awais Arshad (Liverpool fan) says...

Its funny how all Liverpool supporters want Rafa to stay and say he's the right man for the job and everyone else is going on about how he isn't. I think the only opinion that should matter is the opinion of the Liverpool fans. It's obvious supporters of others clubs would not want the best for Liverpool.

Posted 20:35 2nd December 2007

David Champion (Manchester United fan) says...

As a Man Utd fan, I am totally in agreement with Rafa on this one. Passion is the key to English football, whatever team you support. Americans have no idea about the history of English Football and they never will. Its not about money its about supporting your team passionately, not a succesful franchise and sadly all they care about is money !

Posted 14:21 2nd December 2007

Steve Lea (Liverpool fan) says...

I think that our owners are still grasping the enormity of what they have bought into and rafa probably feels that he needs to let them know just what they have gotten themselves into very quickly as any "dragging of heels" on anyones part and we could miss out on some important deals. Rafa knows he has the squad to challenge for the title he just wants to keep momentum going and keep building for the future and show the footballing world that liverpool can and will compete for the top young talent out there, in order to remain a dominant force in european football for years to come.

Posted 02:20 1st December 2007

Adiish Dwarka says...

Rafael has done a tremendous job for Liverpool so far...reaching the champions league final twice in three years...and now we are in a better position compared to previous years..and we are still unbeaten in the league..the American owners know nothing about English football!! for my point of view Rafael should be kept as the manager for long term as every Liverpool fan would agree with me that the Liverpool every one are seeing playing today is extremely better..and he has bought players for different competitons like crouch who has yet to prove his point in the premier league but is doing really well in the champions league..so Rafael Benitez must remain the manager of Liverpool and we will win the title this year...

Posted 19:21 29th November 2007

Laura Lounds says...

The fans are right behind Rafa and the YANKS need 2 get behind him and back him in the transfer market. it could be the difference between winning the league or losing the chance to win our first premiership. Listen to the fans. They are the best and they deserve to keep Rafa he is a good manager. Look at what he won at Valencia nd how he transformed them into champions and challengers. He is very professional and calm. He says it as it is. Has a good relationship with the fans and the players. The YANKS aren't that concerned otherwise they would spend more time in England watching them. DON'T MEND IT IF IT AIN'T BROKE!

Posted 10:24 29th November 2007

Lash Nafidi says...

I don't think it makes any difference whether he stays or not. If he stays they'll probably win another Champions League title (... not this season though as this one's headed for Old Trafford) ... but he'll never win the Premier League - he's not hungry nor consistent enough in his selections and does not know how to keep the players motivated for a long winning run in the league. Plus, I also think that he's deliberately trying to get himself sacked so that he can take over as Spanish National Team manager - which will be up for grab after Euro 2008. It looks like he has more passion for preparing the Spaniards for SA2010 rather than trying to win the Premiership with Liverpool. Just my thoughts!

Posted 08:21 29th November 2007

Phil Davies (Liverpool fan) says...

Rick Parry is a waste of space- were is he in all this mess, to me he is not good enough to be a CEO of Liverpool FC , the job is too big for him. This is the man that : nearly lost us Gerrard because he " did not know Steve was not happy" - he only had to speak to him Okayed a 60k seater gound with no expansion capability - unbelievable Never got the Mascherano loan deal buttoned at the start of th loan period which has now left us vulnerable to other teams taking him Is nowhere to be seen in this mess with Rafa and the Yanks Not capable of tying up transfers - Simao sat on a plane springs to mind Finally - not once capitalised commercially on our brand as one of the biggest names in the world especially after winning th Champions league in 2005.. These are just a few examples.. It must fustrate Rafa that he is working with incompetent people hence he tries to take it all on himself.. Out of the 3/4 people in question in this mess there is only one person who I would trust to take this club forward and that is Rafa, as for the rest I dont think they know or understand how big an institute this club is.

Posted 23:31 27th November 2007

Dipo Abbey disu says...

i think Rafa is the right man for the job. if he is sacked then liverpool in be the precarious situation of hiring a new manager that can deliver more trophies than Rafa. Frankly speaking there are none. His outstanding records speaks for itself- a two champions league appearance and a winner medal,( not even feguson nor wenger could boast of that) a F.A cup medal. If liverpool appoint a tactician ( e.g) capello they would do well in Champs. league and under perform in the EPL. If they hire a British the thier chances of winning the EPl may be bolstered but thier Champs. League failure is very certain. It is on this note i deduce that Rafa is the best man for the job.

Posted 23:30 27th November 2007

Antony Jones (Liverpool fan) says...

Everyone on this forum should go and read what Andrew Hiscoke has to say. Well done Andrew, couldn't have said it any better myself! LFC is bigger than any men. I love Rafa. He was instrumental in helping create the best night of my life in Istanbul. He will bring the Premiership Title to Anfield...

Posted 20:44 27th November 2007

Rory Hall (Milton Keynes Dons fan) says...

I think it's ridiculous that Rafa should be sacked. Yes, some of his managerial decisions baffle the best of us, but no-one can deny that he has bought Liverpool forward and is still attempting to do that. There have been many bad things said about him by Liverpool fans in the last few months but I don't understand why - they loved him when he bought home the Champions League and suddenly he's not good enough?!? That makes no sense. All Rafa wants is to bring the League title back to Liverpool - he hasn't exactly done this with the tact and respect required - but all the same he wants to develop the team and lead towards the title. This is something I not only believe he can do, but some thing I believe he will do also. And anyone who says that he has had enough time to build a squad to challenge United and Arsenal are havin a laugh - u need time (or a billionaire Russian oil magnate) to get the right team together.

Posted 20:43 27th November 2007

Brummie1977 Red (Liverpool fan) says...

It seems to me Gillet and Hicks lured everbody into a false sense of security when they completed their takeover.. if we all remeber they have stated on the record that they backed Rafa's plan 100%, and they had great plans for the club ,to me that says they trusted in Rafa and what he had planned for the club... now recently its been announced they are about to plunge the club into serious debt to fund the new stadium, and what we are seeing is a manager that is wearing his heart on his sleeve and will be LFC till the day he dies, everything he does is for the club, he only has the clubs best intrests at heart.. and not only that Rafa recouped most of the money he spent on transfers in the summer.. lets face it George and Tom what do u really know about English Football...? DONT SACK RAFA, BACK HIM, and if u do sack him you both better get ready for the biggest backlash in Football History, because the people that are the life and soul of the club will not stand for it ...!!!

Posted 19:28 27th November 2007

Saad Shahid (Arsenal fan) says...

Rafa is totally wrong. You cant blame the owner for not giving you cash to spend in the winter when you already had spent over 100m$ in summer!! if rafa understands the transfer system so well than there shouldn't have been a huge no. a failure signings at Liverpool under Rafa. He should also consider the fact that Liverpool are going to built a new stadium so money is crucial for them. He should rather concentrate on Liverpool's performance and improve their league positions and champions league

Posted 19:09 27th November 2007

Raj Pahal says...

This is all getting a little bit ridiculous!! The media have triggered another massive social panic and I can't believe what some so called Liverpool fans are saying about the Raffer!! It's a matter of pride and passion over misunderstanding and carelessness!Rafa Benitez's sense of urgency in wanting to secure major signings for THE BENEFIT of LFC is admirable, the guy clearly has a plan and wants it seen through by the owners, who perhaps fail to see the significance of it all at the moment, as they are not used to this sort of staff turnover. Its pathetic the way certain individuals are willing to send Rafa to the gallows, because he actualy cares?? what's wrong with you people?? I will not go on about it, but honestly it really is demoralising reading some of these comments! oh and for the chap that said Lucas Leiva is a bad signing!?? have you been watching the same Liverpool I have? bar the lack of goals that lad has been immense for Liverpool and will go on to be a huge success, provided we keep him!

Posted 16:58 27th November 2007

Admin Www.footie-forum.co.uk (Liverpool fan) says...

I don't know what all the fuss is about. Rafa ia great manager and knows what he is doing. To take the chance of developing the squad away from him is to deny him what was already promised. The squad rotation policy pays off towards the end of the season and will again this year. The fact that the teams fielded failed to cope with some of the 'lesser' teams is not the managers fault, and reaffirms his position that he needs to alter the squad a little. We needed to buy a defender when the Heinze deal fell through, but this was not done, and it hurt us a little when agger was injured. Leave the manager alone - Rafa is the one who will bring the Premiership back to Liverpool.

Posted 16:09 27th November 2007

Andy May (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

I'm sorry ? Rafa is not good enough ? Ok then...find another manager that can build a team like the one he has, win them the champions league the first season he's in charge and then you can say he's not good enough. He brings silverware to clubs. Rafa for England !!! Bring us some silverware !!!!!!

Posted 16:05 27th November 2007

Lesley Mcconnell says...

Rafa can go, his team selection has cost us points at home and cost us last years European cup final - Crouch on too late, nearly cost us European Cup in 2005 - no Hamaan in starting line up!! No one is bigger than the Club and he never plays Gerrard in best postion. Bring on Jose!!!

Posted 11:32 27th November 2007

Tanaka Pasipanodya (ex liverpool) says...

Rafa is unfortunately not the man to deliver the title to Liverpool and his biggest stumbling block is that he is stubborn. Here is a man who will substitute his captain in a derby game (Everton), he persistently changes his team game after game, he will not select Peter Crouch despite the fact the he scored more goals that Kuyt last season, he decides to play Harry Kewel in the Champions League final after he had been out with an injury for most of the season. Need I go on!!! I believe the man for the Liverpool job is Fabio Capello as he has been able to win a league title with all the teams he has coached and he is mature enough to be able to deal with the English press and difficult owners (Real Madrid is an example). Rafa should GO!!

Posted 11:00 27th November 2007

Josh Todd (lfc fan) says...

Makes me laugh! We are 3 points behind Manchester United with a game in hand but have already been ruled out of the title race!! Aahh well we play better when we are underdogs!! As for Benitez, i couldn't give two shits if he went. I love him, but he isn't willing to change to benefit LFC, and i don't like it. We need a manager that is up for going all out, one that isn't going to rest players as soon as they come into blistering form. One that isn't going to play 4-5-1 in big games, one that isn't going to put stronger teams out in the CL rather than the PL. One that takes a gamble in the transfer window. Oh i don't know, maybe i just wish Rafa was Mourinho. Silly as it sounds! YNWA

Posted 10:55 27th November 2007

Peter Liverpool fan (Liverpool fan) says...

Firstly, Rafa is absolutely the right man for the job. Ok the rotation policy is a bit baffling at times, and perhaps he shouldn't have been so forthright in his opinion about the American owners' unwillingness to meet his demands......But he is the man for Liverpool for many years to come. Owners like Gillett and Hicks can come and go as far as i'm concerned, they have yet to prove their credentials to Liverpool fans. Rafa is obviously a strong man with ideas where he plans for the future. What's wrong with that? He knows the business inside out and that muppett Parry should listen to Rafa and back him in the boardroom, but of course, that won't happen because he's looking to protect his own job. If the owners are serious about Liverpool FC then why do they pick their games to come and see Liverpool, and why has one of their sons (who apparently was their rep over here) just vacated his permanent office in Melwood?? I'm annoyed that the owners seem to think that LFC is a part time job for them and do not give the club the attention and passion it deserves. That's all that Rafa is showing...passion and desire. If Rafa goes then i will be first in line to show my disgust to the Americans and i wouldn't blame the players looking elsewhere, because we will have to start all over again if a new manager starts. Keep Rafa and secure LFC's future!

Posted 10:53 27th November 2007

Adam Tompkins (Liverpool fan) says...

These new American owners have no idea or passion for the best interests of Liverpool. They see it as a business prospect rather than a football club. However, Rafa spent a considerable amount of money in the summer, players like Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel were great signings but players like Charles Itandje and Lucas Leiva for 5m?? I can see where Hicks and Gillett are coming from. Also Kakha Kaladze?? AC Milan old boy who we don't need and will follow the likes of Pellegrino, Barragan and Mark Gonzalez straight out the club again. But it is true we need to buy in January, a world class striker to go with Torres (Eto'o). another wide man and most importantly a centre back (sergio ramos). Also securing the likes of Mascherano is good but for 17M absolutely not worth it as he is 4th in the pecking order behind Gerrard, Alonso and Sissoko. At least we are getting a new stadium but we need the team to go with it and the Premiership too. Peter Crouch should not be sold as he is fantastic, Aurelio, Arbeloa, Sissoko, voronin should be the ones on the transfer list. If we do decide to get rid of Rafa then the ideal choie is jose mourinho who has had success wherever he goes. He has shown interest aswell.

Posted 10:50 27th November 2007

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