Houllier leaves Liverpool

[sirdavinator]

Now Liverpool will truly crumble!! MWAHAHAHAHA!! I've been waiting for this since last year. Houlier is now a has-been. He sucks.

[pigeon]

Liverpool appoint Benitez

Benitez won two Spanish titles with Valencia

Liverpool have confirmed Spaniard Rafael Benitez as their new manager.

The announcement ends the Anfield club's search for a replacement for Gerard Houllier, who was sacked last month after six years in charge.

Benitez, who won the Spanish title and Uefa Cup with Valencia last season, said: "It is like a dream to be here.

"I am very, very proud to be joining one of the most important clubs in the world in one of the best leagues in the world - and I want to win."

Benitez, who has agreed a five-year contract, also made it clear he intends to do things his way - and with style.

He added: "The work of Gerard Houllier was very good but each manager has his own ideas. I think I can teach something different.

"I have come here to win, and my players have to have the same mentality.

"I am young, I want to win lots of matches and in the right way. I hope the players think like us that it is possible to win titles.

"I want the supporters to be proud of the team, of the manager, of the players, of the club."

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said Benitez was their number one target.

Parry said: "Benitez clearly wanted to come to Liverpool and that shone out in every conversation we had.

"He is young, enthusiastic and hungry for success."

Benitez had been the favourite to take over - and had the backing of Michael Owen.

And the 44-year-old Spaniard was quick to make it clear the respect is mutual.

Benitez said: "It is very important that I talk to players like Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen about my ideas.

"I need players like them with a good mentality and quality."

Asked whether he will be adding to the squad, Benitez said: "If I have names on my mind I will talk to Rick Parry about them.

"It is not as easy as just signing five players from Valencia. It is important for me to sign the right players for our team."

Benitez's first match in charge will be against Celtic on 26 July.

source: bbc.co.uk

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Finally the speculation is over and the preperations for next season can begin. Hopefully he's the right man to take us back among the elite.

[pigeon]

Liverpool FC announced this afternoon that Assistant Manager Phil Thompson had left the Club.

Chief Executive Rick Parry commented: "Following talks between Rafael Benitez and Phil it has been decided that Phil will leave the Club. All the discussions were conducted in a totally amicable manner and Phil leaves with our very best wishes for the future.

 

"I want to thank Phil for all his hard work over the past six years as he played a major part in the successes we enjoyed during that period.

 

"We will obviously be sitting down now with Rafa to discuss his backroom team and will make further announcements in due course.

source: - Liverpoolfc.tv

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No surprise there really. Thommo was Houllier's right hand man, and was never expected to stay with the new man. With Thommo and Damiano gone hopefully Joe Corrigan will follow suit, and Benitez can bring in his own staff, keeping Sammy Lee.

We love pinnochio!

[evertonfan]

Goodbye Pinnochio, Goodbye Pinnochio, etc...

I can't see why you'd keep Sammy Lee, whenever I've seen him coach he just looks like an army drill sergeant, shouting at the players as opposed to coaching them. Everton had the same problem with Archie Knox.

[pigeon]

Sammy has a pretty good reputation, and the players often speak pretty highly of him. He's good enough to coach England too. Plus he was a pretty good player in his day.