Benitez unveiled as new Liverpool manager
From: ESPNSTAR.COM
http://www.espnstar.com/jsp/cda/football/epl/aid=1045644epl_newsdetail.html
LIVERPOOL, England, (AFP) - Rafael Benitez has been confirmed as the new
manager of Liverpool. The former Valencia manager was unveiled in a press
conference at Anfield on Wednesday. Benitez replaces Gerard Houllier who
parted company with the Merseyside club on May 24 after another disappointing
season. The Spaniard had turned down an offer by Valencia to extend his
contract for a further two years and left the club on June 1.
The 44-year-old Benitez won the Spanish title in his first season in charge
of Valencia after taking over from Hector Cuper in 2001.
He also led Valencia to the Primera League and UEFA Cup double last year,
his success in the tough climate of Spanish football leading to a torrent
of offers from other European clubs.
Liverpool were said to have made him their number one target following the
departure of Houllier after six seasons in charge.
Houllier had announced he was leaving Liverpool at the end of the season,
bringing to an end months of speculation about his future.
The Merseysiders hoped to convince star players Michael Owen and Steven
Gerrard to pledge their future to the club if they appointed Benitez.
Owen has expressed his admiration of Benitez's tenure at Valencia after
they recorded victories against Liverpool home and away in the Champions
League two seasons ago.
The England striker said he would wait for the appointment of a new
manager before making a decision about signing a new contract.
Liverpool have been waiting for chief executive Rick Parry to return from
holiday before formally appointing a new manager.
Parry has been quoted as saying that a Champions League place was the
minimum requirement last season for a club of such standing.
Houllier eventually achieved that goal by finishing fourth in the
Premiership and securing a berth in the Champions League qualifying stages.
But Parry's comments were seen as reflecting the growing impatience among
fans with the Houllier regime.
Liverpool missed out on a place in the elite European club competition
the previous year after losing to Chelsea in the final match of the season.
Houllier arrived at Liverpool in July 1998 initially as joint manager with
Roy Evans but was appointed sole manager in November.
The former France manager arrived with the reputation of having been the
architect of France's football revolution as technical director of the
French Football Federation.
Liverpool had been in the doldrums under the stewardships of Kenny Dalglish,
Graeme Souness and Evans and have not won the Championship since 1990.
Such lack of success was all too conspicuous after the glory days of Bob
Paisley and Joe Fagan when they won 10 League Championships between 1975
and 1990 and four European Cups between 1976 and 1984.
Under Houllier the trophy cabinet began to fill up again as they went on
to win the UEFA Cup, League Cup and FA Cup in 2001, and added the League
Cup again in 2003.
But frustration grew at the club's inconsistent performances especially
at Anfield which was once regarded as a fortress by visiting teams.
Liverpool's last chance of silverware last season disappeared on February
22 when they lost 1-0 to Portsmouth in the FA Cup.
In March graffiti was daubed on the walls of Liverpools training ground
calling for Houllier's resignation.
Then the Frenchman revealed that he had received a death threat prior to
the 1-0 defeat by Portsmouth in the FA Cup.
Liverpool's last chance of silverware last season disappeared when they
were knocked out of UEFA Cup by Marseille.
And despite their fourth-place finish in the Premiership they were 30
points behind the champions Arsenal and 15 behind third-placed Manchester
United.
Houllier said he was standing down because he feared that if he stayed on
as manager the pressure would be harmful to the club.
"I thought it could jeopardise their performance and achievement," he said.
Rafael Benitez confirmed as new Liverpool manager
LIVERPOOL, England, (AFP) - Liverpool on Wednesday confirmed that former
Valencia coach Rafael Benitez will take over as manager of the English
Premiership club.
Benitez, 44, quit Valencia on June 1 after rejecting the offer of a
two-year deal and has already been replaced by the former Chelsea manager
Claudio Ranieri.
Benitez brought the Spanish title to Valencia in his first season in charge
after taking over from Hector Cuper in 2001 and he added a double of Spanish
league and UEFA Cup last season.
Liverpool sacked Frenchman Gerard Houllier after six years in charge last
month as the four-time European champions grew impatient for success.
Liverpool's biggest star, Michael Owen, has delayed signing a new contract
until he sees who the new manager will sign to strengthen the side.
Owen has a season left on his contract and the England striker is ready to
sign on after Euro 2004 but it may only be for another 12 months.
Unless Benitez proves he will turn Liverpool into a major European force,
Owen was believed to be ready to pack his bags.
Valencia goalkeeper Santiago Canizares and Argentine duo Pablo Aimar and
Roberto Ayala are believed to be on Benitez's wish-list.
But he might also have to convince Steven Gerrard to stay after Chelsea
were reported to be poised to make a ￡30 million (US$55 million) bid for
the England midfielder.
Published: June 16, 2004
--
★ YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE ＴＨＥ ＲＥＤＳ ★
★ ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ★
★ Ｌ◢█◣Ｉ◢█◣Ｖ◢█◣Ｅ◢█◣Ｒ◢█◣Ｐ◢█◣Ｏ◢█◣Ｏ◢█◣Ｌ ★
★ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ █ ★
★ ＴＨＥ ＲＥＤＳ YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE ★
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 219.68.18.141
Liverpool 近期熱門文章
PTT體育區 即時熱門文章
