Rafa on way out, Grant in at Hammers
Source: Agencies |
June 4, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
RAFA Benitez is on the verge of leaving as Liverpool manager after six years with the club, British media reported yesterday.
The Spaniard was reportedly in talks with the club and his agent to discuss a compensation deal worth 3 million pounds (US$4.4 million) for him to depart with immediate effect.
Benitez has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Inter Milan following Jose Mourinho's departure for Real Madrid.
Although Liverpool declined to comment on the reports, the national newspapers and both the BBC and Sky Sports News reported that Benitez's spell at Anfield appeared about to end.
Had Liverpool decided to fire Benitez after the disappointing seventh-place finish in the Premier League, the club would have had to pay him up to 16 million pounds (US$21 million) in compensation.
Benitez, who led Liverpool to the 2005 Champions League title but no Premier League championships, signed a five-year contract in March 2009. He joined from Valencia in 2005 having guided that club to two Spanish league titles and a UEFA Cup.
Among the names mentioned as a possible replacement for Benitez at Liverpool were Guus Hiddink, who is due to start work as coach of Turkey's national team in August, and Martin Jol of Ajax.
American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, who bought Liverpool three years ago, have put the club up for sale after a public fallout over the running of the club. Liverpool is now heavily in debt and, for the first time since the 2003-04 season, will not be playing in the Champions League next term.
Elsewhere, Avram Grant, who resigned as Portsmouth manager last month, took on another huge Premier League challenge when he became the new West Ham United boss yesterday.
West Ham, which finished one place above the relegation zone last season, sacked Gianfranco Zola in May after almost two seasons in the job.
New co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan have now turned to the 55-year old former Chelsea and Israel boss Grant to restore their fortunes.
"I am delighted to welcome Avram to West Ham and am confident he will prove a success. We have taken our time over this appointment and are certain we have got the right man," Sullivan told the club Website.
Grant, who has signed a four-year-contract at Upton Park, finished the last campaign with many admirers in the game for his dignity in a chaotic season at cash-strapped Portsmouth.
"I am proud and honoured to be the manager of West Ham. It will be an exciting challenge and I am ready to do my best," Grant said in a statement.
"This is a fantastic club with great fans and a history that is respected around the world. I am already looking forward to getting to work with my players in July and preparing for the new season."
West Ham used to be known as one of the most stable clubs in English soccer and it is its proud boast that it had only five managers in its first 87 years.
However, recent times have proved far more turbulent at the club with changes of ownership and a high turnover of managers - Grant is the sixth in the last nine years.
The Spaniard was reportedly in talks with the club and his agent to discuss a compensation deal worth 3 million pounds (US$4.4 million) for him to depart with immediate effect.
Benitez has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Inter Milan following Jose Mourinho's departure for Real Madrid.
Although Liverpool declined to comment on the reports, the national newspapers and both the BBC and Sky Sports News reported that Benitez's spell at Anfield appeared about to end.
Had Liverpool decided to fire Benitez after the disappointing seventh-place finish in the Premier League, the club would have had to pay him up to 16 million pounds (US$21 million) in compensation.
Benitez, who led Liverpool to the 2005 Champions League title but no Premier League championships, signed a five-year contract in March 2009. He joined from Valencia in 2005 having guided that club to two Spanish league titles and a UEFA Cup.
Among the names mentioned as a possible replacement for Benitez at Liverpool were Guus Hiddink, who is due to start work as coach of Turkey's national team in August, and Martin Jol of Ajax.
American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, who bought Liverpool three years ago, have put the club up for sale after a public fallout over the running of the club. Liverpool is now heavily in debt and, for the first time since the 2003-04 season, will not be playing in the Champions League next term.
Elsewhere, Avram Grant, who resigned as Portsmouth manager last month, took on another huge Premier League challenge when he became the new West Ham United boss yesterday.
West Ham, which finished one place above the relegation zone last season, sacked Gianfranco Zola in May after almost two seasons in the job.
New co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan have now turned to the 55-year old former Chelsea and Israel boss Grant to restore their fortunes.
"I am delighted to welcome Avram to West Ham and am confident he will prove a success. We have taken our time over this appointment and are certain we have got the right man," Sullivan told the club Website.
Grant, who has signed a four-year-contract at Upton Park, finished the last campaign with many admirers in the game for his dignity in a chaotic season at cash-strapped Portsmouth.
"I am proud and honoured to be the manager of West Ham. It will be an exciting challenge and I am ready to do my best," Grant said in a statement.
"This is a fantastic club with great fans and a history that is respected around the world. I am already looking forward to getting to work with my players in July and preparing for the new season."
West Ham used to be known as one of the most stable clubs in English soccer and it is its proud boast that it had only five managers in its first 87 years.
However, recent times have proved far more turbulent at the club with changes of ownership and a high turnover of managers - Grant is the sixth in the last nine years.
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