Liverpool Confirm Rafael Benitez To Leave Club By Mutual Consent

Liverpool have officially announced this afternoon that manager Rafael Benitez is to leave the club by mutual consent.

The Anfield board moved to get rid of the Spaniard after a disappointing campaign saw them finish in seventh place and dumped out of the Champions League in the group phase. Although Benitez only signed a five-year contract last summer with a £16 million severance clause, the two parties are rumoured to have agreed a compensation fee of £3 million.

An official statement on the club's official website this afternoon announced the search for a successor had already begun, led by club legend Kenny Dalglish and managing director Christian Purslow:
It said: "Mr Benitez relinquishes his position as team manager after six years and the Board of Directors would like to place on record their grateful thanks for his services and wish him all the best in his future career.

"The Board has now asked Managing Director Christian Purslow, with the assistance of Club Ambassador Kenny Dalglish, to begin a formal search to identify and assess potential candidates for the managerial position.

Rafael Benitez | Liverpool Legacy


Stats:
Seasons: 6
Premier League titles: 0
FA Cup wins: 1
FA Community Shield wins: 1
Champions League titles: 1
UEFA Super Cup wins: 1


Also:
UEFA Manager of the Year 2004/05
"No timescale has been placed on the process and Liverpool FC will make no further statement until a new manager is appointed.

Benitez said: "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."

Chairman Martin Broughton praised the ex-Valencia manager's work. He said: "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.''

Despite lifting the Champions League in his first season on Merseyside, repeated failure on the domestic front and frustration over his transfer budget have led to the exit. Star players Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano were also rumoured to be considering their future if Benitez stayed.

Benitez has, however, been linked with a quick return to the sport and is being considered to replace Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.

Ghana's Michael Essien is ruled out of the World Cup

Ghana's Michael Essien has been ruled out of the World Cup, according to the country's football association (GFA).
The Chelsea midfielder has been struggling with injury and has been told he will not fully recover until the end of July.
The GFA said that the decision was taken after a joint evaluation of his fitness by them and his club.
His last competitive match was for Ghana during the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.
He took part in the early stages of that tournament despite not being fully fit, having torn a hamstring in December.
He then injured his knee and has not played for either Ghana or Chelsea since.
Essien has been keen to play down speculation about his chances of making the World Cup.
"If I make it for the World Cup then great - if not I have my whole career ahead of me," he told Chelsea's official website in April.
"The last thing I want is to rush back and cause more problems down the line."
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac had been publicly optimistic but also insisted that the squad can still succeed without Essien.
"There are other young and hungry players who will be equally passionate to play," he said recently.
Ghana are in Group D at the World Cup, along with Germany, Australia and Serbia.