Pako Ayestaran is to step down from his position as assistant manager at Liverpool FC, the club announced today.
He will, however, remain contracted to the club through to June 30, 2008.
Chief executive Rick Parry said: "Following discussions between Rafael Benitez and Pako Ayestaran, it has been agreed that it would be in the best interests of all parties if Pako leaves his post as assistant manager.
"Pako, however, will remain under contract to us until next summer.
"The club want to thank Pako for his hard work and contribution to our success over the past three years."
It is believed there had been simmering tension between the pair, and Benitez was known to be disappointed when former assistant Paco Ayestaran was “too friendly” with ex Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho after the clubs drew 1-1 at Anfield earlier this season.
That incident is believed to have been one of the reasons for the tensions between Benitez and Ayestaran coming to a head.
Ayestaran moved with Benitez from Valencia in the summer of 2004 and was described on Liverpool FC's website as being 'instrumental in planning training.'
Today's statement confirms what many had taken as already confirmed. Today's statement would appear to serve warning to other clubs, particularly Spanish ones rumoured to be interested in him, that he remains under contract at Liverpool.
Ayestaran's non-involvement in recent weeks has been blamed for Liverpool's recent poor form.
But when challenged on that Benitez said in the Liverpool Daily Post: “I do not believe that the management changes have affected the situation.
“We have been analysing the data regarding our players and we are running more, covering more ground and our physical condition is fantastic.
“With regards to the coaching, I was coaching with the team before. I am not a traditional English manager sitting in an office, I am always on the pitch with the players.
“I was on the pitch before, I was on the pitch today and I will be on the pitch tomorrow.”
He will, however, remain contracted to the club through to June 30, 2008.
Chief executive Rick Parry said: "Following discussions between Rafael Benitez and Pako Ayestaran, it has been agreed that it would be in the best interests of all parties if Pako leaves his post as assistant manager.
"Pako, however, will remain under contract to us until next summer.
"The club want to thank Pako for his hard work and contribution to our success over the past three years."
It is believed there had been simmering tension between the pair, and Benitez was known to be disappointed when former assistant Paco Ayestaran was “too friendly” with ex Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho after the clubs drew 1-1 at Anfield earlier this season.
That incident is believed to have been one of the reasons for the tensions between Benitez and Ayestaran coming to a head.
Ayestaran moved with Benitez from Valencia in the summer of 2004 and was described on Liverpool FC's website as being 'instrumental in planning training.'
Today's statement confirms what many had taken as already confirmed. Today's statement would appear to serve warning to other clubs, particularly Spanish ones rumoured to be interested in him, that he remains under contract at Liverpool.
Ayestaran's non-involvement in recent weeks has been blamed for Liverpool's recent poor form.
But when challenged on that Benitez said in the Liverpool Daily Post: “I do not believe that the management changes have affected the situation.
“We have been analysing the data regarding our players and we are running more, covering more ground and our physical condition is fantastic.
“With regards to the coaching, I was coaching with the team before. I am not a traditional English manager sitting in an office, I am always on the pitch with the players.
“I was on the pitch before, I was on the pitch today and I will be on the pitch tomorrow.”
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