Friday, April 16, 2010

Rafael Benitez 'To Stay At Liverpool Until 2014'


Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez intends to see out the rest of his contract, provided the club's financial situation allows it, according to his agent.

"The intention of Benitez is to fulfill the contract he has until 2014," said Manuel Garcia Quilon.

"But it's true the club is subject to fluctuations in their financial situation," he added, referring to the Reds' on-going need to pay off debt.

"They could influence the future of the club, and therefore Benitez as well."

Liverpool have £237m of outstanding loans with RBS and Wachovia banks, and have to repay £100m this year, although a deadline of July set by RBS has been delayed by six months.

The club's owners, Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett, are reported to be looking to sell the club for about £500m, with British Airways chief Martin Broughton being brought in to lead the search for a new buyer for the Anfield outfit.

Garcia Quilon added that he knew of unnamed Chinese investors who were interested in buying the club and retaining Benitez as manager.

"The Chinese have an interest because they have called Rafa and told him that their condition for buying the club is that he continues as coach," he told Spanish newspaper AS.

Garcia Quilon said Benitez remained a potential candidate for some of the top jobs in Europe but that there had been no discussion about him leaving Anfield.

The Liverpool boss has been linked with Juventus again this week, with the Serie A club reportedly having made him their number one target back in January; while it seems likely the Real Madrid post will become vacant again this summer.

"For now [Real] Madrid have not made a move to sign him," said Garcia Quilon.

No comments: