Rafa Benitez has been reassured by DIC, the consortium seeking to take over Liverpool, that his position as manager will be safe if they buy out Anfield's current owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
DIC, the investment arm of the Dubai government, are keen to keep the Liverpool fans on their side, knowing how much the Kop reveres Benitez.
Liverpool's manager has been concerned about the uncertainty seizing Anfield, amid speculation that DIC might replace him with Jose Mourinho.
While the former Chelsea manager is understood to have informally sounded out DIC about the possibility of taking over from Benitez should their takeover go through, it was never pursued.
Liverpool fans voiced their support of Benitez during last night's Champions League semi-final second leg with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. DIC are aware that the appointment of Mourinho would not be tolerated by Liverpool fans, and the Portuguese manager is understood to be more interested in Inter Milan.
DIC have agreed a deal in principle with Gillett to buy his 50 per cent stake but have been told by Hicks that he has no interest in selling. He has pre-emption rights on Gillett's shares but DIC believe that option runs out at the end of May.
Although they are understood to be prepared to force the issue, they are unwilling to make their move until the end of the season.
DIC are concerned that reigniting the civil war inside the boardroom will destabilise Liverpool at a critical point in the club's European campaign.
Hicks has claimed that it was his partner Gillett who wanted to remove Benitez and hire the former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who is now set to take over as Bayern Munich coach in the summer.
The move was a major PR disaster and has played a major part in turning the Liverpool's fans against the American owners and uniting them with Benitez.
DIC, who have been poised to make a £450 million bid for Liverpool for much of this season, have now made it clear they want dressing-room continuity in the form of Benitez. If the Spaniard were to leave, players like Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina would be expected to follow him out of Anfield.
DIC, the investment arm of the Dubai government, are keen to keep the Liverpool fans on their side, knowing how much the Kop reveres Benitez.
Liverpool's manager has been concerned about the uncertainty seizing Anfield, amid speculation that DIC might replace him with Jose Mourinho.
While the former Chelsea manager is understood to have informally sounded out DIC about the possibility of taking over from Benitez should their takeover go through, it was never pursued.
Liverpool fans voiced their support of Benitez during last night's Champions League semi-final second leg with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. DIC are aware that the appointment of Mourinho would not be tolerated by Liverpool fans, and the Portuguese manager is understood to be more interested in Inter Milan.
DIC have agreed a deal in principle with Gillett to buy his 50 per cent stake but have been told by Hicks that he has no interest in selling. He has pre-emption rights on Gillett's shares but DIC believe that option runs out at the end of May.
Although they are understood to be prepared to force the issue, they are unwilling to make their move until the end of the season.
DIC are concerned that reigniting the civil war inside the boardroom will destabilise Liverpool at a critical point in the club's European campaign.
Hicks has claimed that it was his partner Gillett who wanted to remove Benitez and hire the former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who is now set to take over as Bayern Munich coach in the summer.
The move was a major PR disaster and has played a major part in turning the Liverpool's fans against the American owners and uniting them with Benitez.
DIC, who have been poised to make a £450 million bid for Liverpool for much of this season, have now made it clear they want dressing-room continuity in the form of Benitez. If the Spaniard were to leave, players like Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina would be expected to follow him out of Anfield.
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