Rafael Benitez insists that, far from emptying his locker at Anfield this summer, he will extend his stay at Liverpool beyond the term of his current contract that expires in two years' time.
The manager's claim that he will be at the club for the long haul marks a significant shift after another turbulent week on Merseyside. There was renewed pressure on Benitez after Steven Gerrard voiced his frustration at another disappointing league campaign and another twist in the increasingly bitter boardroom power struggle.
Less than two weeks ago Benitez was forced to defend his record at the club against the backdrop of growing belief that only success in the Champions League this season would save the Spaniard's job.
Now, however, the former Valencia coach has spoken more bullishly about his long-term prospects. It reflects a shift in his relationship with co-owner Tom Hicks, who last week insisted he had no intention of selling up and vowed to block any attempt by his estranged business partner George Gillett to offload his 50 per cent share of the club to Dubai International Capital.
Benitez and Hicks became entangled in a public spat towards the end of last year over transfer funds. This related to the owners' delay in sanctioning the £18 million signing of Javier Mascherano, the Argentina midfielder who finally converted his loan stay into a permanent move when he agreed a four-year contract on Friday, and the revelation that the US owners had sounded out Jurgen Klinsmann as a possible replacement for Benitez.
Relations between the pair appear to have improved in recent weeks to the extent that the manager felt able to assert his belief that he was going nowhere.
"I have confidence I will be here for a long time, not just the two years, but for a long time," Benitez said.
The admission by Benitez that, with Mascherano on board, he was now attempting to secure new contracts for Sami Hyypia, the veteran centre-back, and England forward Peter Crouch, reinforces the view that manager and boardroom appear to have at last established a more effective working relationship.
"We are progressing," Benitez insisted. "This year we can only try to improve in the league to be in the top four."
The manager's claim that he will be at the club for the long haul marks a significant shift after another turbulent week on Merseyside. There was renewed pressure on Benitez after Steven Gerrard voiced his frustration at another disappointing league campaign and another twist in the increasingly bitter boardroom power struggle.
Less than two weeks ago Benitez was forced to defend his record at the club against the backdrop of growing belief that only success in the Champions League this season would save the Spaniard's job.
Now, however, the former Valencia coach has spoken more bullishly about his long-term prospects. It reflects a shift in his relationship with co-owner Tom Hicks, who last week insisted he had no intention of selling up and vowed to block any attempt by his estranged business partner George Gillett to offload his 50 per cent share of the club to Dubai International Capital.
Benitez and Hicks became entangled in a public spat towards the end of last year over transfer funds. This related to the owners' delay in sanctioning the £18 million signing of Javier Mascherano, the Argentina midfielder who finally converted his loan stay into a permanent move when he agreed a four-year contract on Friday, and the revelation that the US owners had sounded out Jurgen Klinsmann as a possible replacement for Benitez.
Relations between the pair appear to have improved in recent weeks to the extent that the manager felt able to assert his belief that he was going nowhere.
"I have confidence I will be here for a long time, not just the two years, but for a long time," Benitez said.
The admission by Benitez that, with Mascherano on board, he was now attempting to secure new contracts for Sami Hyypia, the veteran centre-back, and England forward Peter Crouch, reinforces the view that manager and boardroom appear to have at last established a more effective working relationship.
"We are progressing," Benitez insisted. "This year we can only try to improve in the league to be in the top four."
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