Benitez agent denies Juventus interest

26 January 2010 10:17

The agent of Rafa Benitez insists the Spanish coach is staying at Liverpool.

Benitez has been strongly linked with a move to Italy as a possible candidate to replace Ciro Ferrara at Juventus.

But Benitez's agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon, said: "I have had no contact with Juventus or with any other Italian club regarding an interest on Rafa Benitez."

He added: "There have been rumours linking Rafa to Juve just as there have been reports linking (Guus) Hiddink to Juve.

"But they are all media speculation and there is no truth in it.

"Rafa has a four-year contract with Liverpool.

"He feels he has the strength to continue with the team and he is fully focused on guiding Liverpool up the standings."

Liverpool and Juventus were knocked out of the Champions League before the winter break while they lie sixth in their respective domestic competitions.

The Reds are 13 points behind league leaders Manchester United in the Premier League while last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Roma, which marked Juve's fifth loss in six Serie A games, left them 16 points adrift of leaders Inter Milan.

Source: PA