Rafa ‘œready to quit’

Reports circulating today suggest that negotiations between Liverpool Football Club and manager Rafa Benitez on the Spaniard’s new contract have hit a dead end and the gaffer is set to leave Anfield at the end of the season.

It is now thought that Benitez has rejected a second offer made by the club, who still refuse to grant him with more power over transfers and the club’s youth system.

The Sunday Mirror reports that Benitez is unwilling to work under chief executive Rick Parry, and could even takeover as the new Real Madrid boss this summer.

The newspaper claims a source close to Benitez told them, “It has been claimed that Rafa wants full power on transfers, contracts and the academy, but what he really wants is everyone at the club pulling in the same direction.

“The club are missing out on transfer targets and that contracts for players and staff are not being done because things move too slowly. Rafa had transfer targets lined up in January.”

Benitez will be hoping for a vital victory at Anfield this afternoon as Liverpool take on Manchester City in the Premier League. Kick-off is at 3pm.