Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Opinion: Rafa Benitez Doesn't Deserve A New Liverpool Contract Yet


Liverpool are joint top of the Premier League but I fear that the opening of new contract talks with manager Rafa Benitez is a big mistake.

Spaniard Benitez, 48, has guided my old team to the summit in a bid to end an 18- year title drought but the Liverpool board should wait until the end of the season to negotiate a new deal.

The club won nothing last season, which was totally unacceptable. And Benitez has yet to prove he can satisfy the club's huge craving for a Premier League crown.

Liverpool have finished fifth, third, third and fourth under Benitez, who has 18 months left on his existing contract.

And with 26 games left this term, the Anfield club could easily end up 11 points off the pace again, just like last season.

Premier League success is the benchmark at Liverpool but it's only now that Benitez seems to be appreciating that fact after being preoccupied with the Champions League for so long.

Anfield fans are usually very loyal to their managers but if the board gives Benitez a new four year deal now, only for Liverpool's challenge to peter out, then what?

As someone who wants to see Liverpool triumph in the Premier League in the near future, all I care about is winning, not who is at the helm.

I'd put Benitez on probation until the end of the campaign - then tell him: "Deal or no deal."

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