Rafa Benitez Leaves Liverpool By Mutual Consent

After reports yesterday that Rafa Benitez had been fired pending agreement on a severance package, today comes word that Benitez and Liverpool have parted by mutual consent, opening-up one of the more prestigious couching positions in European football.

Benitez completed his sixth year at Anfield with a seventh place league finish, the worst of his tenure, with Liverpool missing Champions League football for the first time in his reign. It was a reign that started by winning the 2004-05 Champions League, which he followed-up with an FA Cup the following season. Liverpool has gone without a major trophy since, with the club being eliminated from this year’s Champions League at the group stage.

Liveprool chairman Martin Broughton released a short statement on the club’s website:

“Rafa will forever be part of Liverpool folklore after bringing home the Champions League following the epic final in Istanbul but after a disappointing season both parties felt a fresh start would be best for all concerned.’’

In the same statement, Rafa Benitez said goodbye to the Liverpool faithful:

“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.”

Rafa Benitez’s leave from Liverpool was potentially expedited because of the job opening at Internazionale, with which he has been linked since the move of José Mourinho to Real Madrid. The agreement between club and coach frees the Spaniard to move to Italy.

Liverpool now starts their coaching search, reported to be headed by Managing Director Christian Purslow and Club Ambassador Kenny Dalglish. Names linked with the position at Anfield include Fulham boss Roy Hodgson, Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal, Ajax’s Martin Jol, and Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill.