Friday, February 19, 2010

Real Madrid, AC Milan And Juventus In Potential Three-Way Summer Fight To Land Liverpool Manager


Beleagured Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez could face a three-way summer fight for his services.

Real Madrid head coach Manuel Pellegrini and AC Milan's Leonardo have both been told they must do better after defeats in Europe this week - and both are said to see Benitez as the man who could transform their fortunes.

Sportsmail were the first to reveal that Juventus were lining up the Spaniard as their next manager. Alberto Zaccheroni has been put in charge of the Bianconeri till the end of the season following the dismisal of Ciro Ferrara, but the Serie A side will move for Benitez at the end of the season.

The former Valencia boss has also been linked with the San Siro, where Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has criticised the team's performance in the 2-1 Champions League defeat by Manchester United.

'Milan are a great team, but only if they allow the players to play properly,' said Berlusconi in an apparent swipe at Leonardo's tactics.

'Even this year Milan have everything to win, only if they let them play well though.'

Meanwhile, reports in Spain suggest Pellegrini could be sacked if Madrid go out of the Champions League next month.

The Bernabeu giants were beaten 1-0 at Lyon on Tuesday night and Madrid's director general Jorge Valdano is said to have warned the Chilean that an exit at the last 16 stage will not be tolerated.

Pellegrini came under fire before Christmas when his team of Galacticos were knocked out of the Spanish Cup by lowly Alcorcon, but his side are just two points off leaders Barcelona in the hunt for La Liga.

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