Benitez paves way for Anfield move

Rafael Benitez: has quit Valencia

14 April 2012

Rafael Benitez today paved the way for a move to Liverpool by resigning as coach of Valencia.

The 44-year-old rejected the Spanish champions' offer of a two-year contract extension, worth around £1million a year, and opted not to stay for the remaining season of his existing deal.

He is now almost certain to succeed Gerard Houllier, who was dismissed as manager last week.

Benitez is understood to have met Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry just over a week ago and shaken on a provisional five-year deal at the club. The much-admired coach was then asked to reconsider by Valencia and has spent the last few days listening to the club's future plans. But the offer of a pay rise and improved contract was not enough to persuade him to stay in Spain.

Benitez broke down in tears today when he confirmed his departure from the club but refused to give any clues about his future plans.

"Valencia will always be in my heart and my thoughts. This is possibly one of the most difficult decisions I've had to make in my sporting life," he said.

Hinting at the considerable financial restraints he has had to work under at Valencia, he added: "I want to see it as positive that the club tried to keep me, but after the events of this season which have undermined my morale I decided to reconsider my future at the club.

"With regards to my professional future I'm going to take a few days out to analyse the options open to me and I will choose the one that suits me best."

The way is now open for Liverpool to make their move and tie up a deal with Benitez before the start of the European Championship. Parry distanced himself from suggestions that a deal has already been done with Benitez yesterday but said: "There will be an announcement about our new manager in two weeks. Further to that I do not wish to comment on the speculation about the position."

Liverpool would be keen to confirm the appointment quickly to enable new signings to be identified and made in time for the start of pre-season training.

In a twist to the tale, Valencia are reported to have contacted Claudio Ranieri following his exit from Chelsea.

The Italian spent a year at La Mestalla in 1999 and is often credited with forming the basis of the team that went on to reach two European Cup finals.

Meanwhile, the Thai consortium hoping to invest £65m in Liverpool today claimed that the club is an attractive proposition despite having debts of nearly £19m.

The chief negotiator of the bid, Pongsak Raktapongpaisarn, said the club's reputation would provide "immeasurable brand value" to Thailand and help lift the country's image internationally.

He said Liverpool have assets of £100m and debts of £18.9m but admitted that the Thai government is more concerned about growing opposition to the deal than the financial status of the club.

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