Source: Team_Talk
Reds keeping mum on Rafa exit
iverpool are still to comment on reports that long-serving manager Rafael Benitez is poised to leave Anfield.[LNB] It has been claimed the club are in discussions to bring the Spaniard's six-year tenure to an end.[LNB]The 50-year-old's position has been the subject of speculation for some time, particularly with the Reds finishing a disappointing seventh in the Premier League this year.[LNB]It is understood Benitez would be entitled to a £16million pay-off if his current contract was terminated now, but talks are thought to be under way to reach a settlement.[LNB]A figure of £3million compensation for Benitez to leave now has been widely mentioned, which would allow him to seek immediate re-employment elsewhere.[LNB]Benitez, linked with Real Madrid and Juventus in recent months, is now being tipped as a potential successor to Jose Mourinho at European champions Inter Milan.[LNB]Reports meetings were taking place began to circulate last night but the club did not comment and again declined to do so this morning.[LNB]Benitez's agent Manuel Garcia Quilon has also remained tight-lipped, saying last night: "We don't know anything more than what's being said. We're not saying anything."[LNB]Former Valencia boss Benitez succeeded Gerard Houllier at Liverpool in 2004 and led the club to Champions League success in his first season.[LNB]He followed that with FA Cup victory in 2006 and another Champions League final appearance 12 months after that, but the Premier League title has remained elusive.[LNB]Liverpool finished runners-up to Manchester United in 2009 but have since slipped back alarmingly.[LNB]They were eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage in a troubled campaign and failed to finish in the top four to re-qualify for the elite competition, despite a Benitez "guarantee" they would.[LNB]Benitez signed a five-year contract in March 2009 but if reports the board have met to discuss his potential exit are correct, his position appears untenable, even if he does not accept a pay-off.[LNB]Any severance deal would have to be carefully negotiated with the financial implications for Liverpool considerable. Recent accounts figures put the club's debt at £351million.
