Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has told Sami Hyypia that the door is always open should he decide he would like to go back to Anfield in the future.
The 35-year-old defender has opted to join Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season in order to prolong his playing career.
The 97-time capped Finland international had been offered the opportunity to remain at the Merseyside club, but only as cover for the first team with a gradually increasing coaching role.
Benitez has admitted that he wanted Hyypia to stay, but he accepts the 6ft 4in centre-back's decision and has told him there will always be a place for him at Liverpool.
"We had talked with Sami about his future and our idea was to offer him an extension and, afterwards, he would have the chance to become a coach with us," Benitez is quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
"He was pleased to receive the offer but he still has a lot of confidence in himself, he is fit and he wanted to think over all of the offers he received.
"We were trying to keep him and we wanted to, because he deserves the best.
"But he has decided to leave and, in the future, the door will always be open for him to come back at any time."
Having joined Liverpool for around £2.5 million from Willem II in 1999, Hyypia won two FA Cups, two League Cups, a UEFA Cup and a Champions League, scoring 33 goals in 454 appearances.
The 35-year-old defender has opted to join Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season in order to prolong his playing career.
The 97-time capped Finland international had been offered the opportunity to remain at the Merseyside club, but only as cover for the first team with a gradually increasing coaching role.
Benitez has admitted that he wanted Hyypia to stay, but he accepts the 6ft 4in centre-back's decision and has told him there will always be a place for him at Liverpool.
"We had talked with Sami about his future and our idea was to offer him an extension and, afterwards, he would have the chance to become a coach with us," Benitez is quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
"He was pleased to receive the offer but he still has a lot of confidence in himself, he is fit and he wanted to think over all of the offers he received.
"We were trying to keep him and we wanted to, because he deserves the best.
"But he has decided to leave and, in the future, the door will always be open for him to come back at any time."
Having joined Liverpool for around £2.5 million from Willem II in 1999, Hyypia won two FA Cups, two League Cups, a UEFA Cup and a Champions League, scoring 33 goals in 454 appearances.
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