Rafa Benitez has parted company with Liverpool Football Club after six years as manager, it was confirmed this afternoon.
In a statement on the club’s official website, the news was confirmed that Benitez has left the club by mutual consent.
Benitez said on his departure:
“It is very sad for me to announce that I will no longer be manager of Liverpool FC. I would like to thank all of the staff and players for their efforts.
“I’ll always keep in my heart the good times I’ve had here, the strong and loyal support of the fans in the tough times and the love from Liverpool. I have no words to thank you enough for all these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager.
“Thank you so much once more and always remember: You’ll never walk alone.”
A severance package is believed to have been agreed of around £6m. Benitez is now widely tipped to take over at Inter Milan, where he would replace Jose Mourinho.
The search for Benitez’s replacement will now begin with Managing Director Christian Purslow and Club Ambassador Kenny Dalglish leading the search.
Liverpool fans staged a protest at Anfield on Thursday evening, angry at the way the club continues to conduct it’s matters and at the fact new chairman Martin Broughton, a lifelong Chelsea fan, who was appointed only to oversee the sale of the club was heavily involved in the removal of Benitez and indeed was quoted on the official statement saying a new start was required.
Benitez arrived at Anfield from Valencia in June 2004, winning the Champions League in his first season and the FA Cup a year later in 2006. He took charge of 350 games at LFC.
[table id=37 /]
What do you think to the news? Let us know in the forums or tweet us @thisisanfield.
Fan Comments