The Italian media had claimed there was already a verbal agreement between the Spaniard and his would-be new employers and a meeting had taken place today with Benitez’s lawyers to finalise details of the contract.
There were even reports Benitez would make Liverpool trio Dirk Kuyt, Martin Skrtel and, somewhat oddly considering their fractious relationship, Ryan Babel his first signings.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez last night released a statement claiming he has no agreement with Juventus and will not be meeting the Italian club or their representatives, or any other club.
However, similar sources had suggested on Thursday a Juve delegation was in Liverpool only for that to prove to be false.
When asked about the manager’s future Kuyt said he did not believe there would be any change at the top.
‘As far as I know there is no doubt,’ said the Holland international.
‘I’ve not heard there is any trouble or indication the manager could leave so if that is not happening we just want to play football.’
Benitez did not help all the conjecture about his future on Friday when he said he was proud to be linked with one of Europe’s top clubs.
But he did also say he had a job to do an Anfield and was committed to that. Co-owner Tom Hicks’ surprise visit to watch yesterday’s 2-0 victory over Bolton also posed a few questions as to why he had attended a relatively low-key fixture when there was a Merseyside derby next weekend.
He was not, however, bringing a last-minute transfer window war chest for the Spaniard to spend to help Liverpool secure the Champions League football which is so vital to their future. Read more…
Benitez said he was “proud” to be linked as they are a “top side in Europe” but added: “I’m happy here and want to do a job as best I can.”
The Spaniard has come under-fire for a spluttering season and doubts over his future intensified on Friday with Ciro Ferrara’s sacking at the Serie A club.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has rejected talk of an imminent move to become the new Juventus coach.
Alberto Zaccheroni has been handed the role until the end of the season.
The Reds manager signed a new deal in March 2009 to keep him at the Merseyside club until 2014, but an early exit in the Champions League and FA Cup, along with poor Premier League form, has not helped to quash reports of a premature departure.
Benitez’s agent Manuel Garcia Quilon revealed on 26 January there was “no truth” in the media speculation linking his client to a move to the Turin club.
And although some reports in Italy suggested a Juventus delegation had flown to Merseyside this week attempting to secure a new long-term manager, Benitez was not prepared to discuss his future.
“I am not here to talk about speculation because people talk too much,” said the 50-year-old.
“I am focused on preparing my team for the game against Bolton (on Saturday). I know they (Juventus) were interested, that is part of the game now in football, but I am not ready to talk too much because I don’t want to lose my focus.” Read more…
The Juventus coach tried to relieve the tension by creating as normal an atmosphere as possible: “At this time, I don’t need to be any braver than usual, I just need to appreciate the difficult nature of the situation and I am not ashamed to discuss it. After all, taking criticism and handling controversy is part of this job. Rather than shunning it, you have to take it on the chin, at both the good times and the bad. I’ll say it again with absolutely no embarassment as I have nothing to be embarassed about. Results are not coming my way, but I have always acted professionally, honestly and with principle, doing everything I can to make things better. And I will keep on doing this until the club tells me that it has decided differently.”
Respect — “If that should happen” Ferrara continued, “I will accept the club’s decision with total respect, reassured that I gave a lot and received a lot from the club, first as a player then as a manager, and now also the chance to steer the team from the bench. For my part, I have always behaved seriously and professionally, which is why I am not ashamed at the moment and have never thought of resigning. I haven’t even asked to talk it over, because I know what I have to do, which is to keep on doing it, i.e. try to turn things around and get some important results.” Read more…
Juventus coach, Ciro Ferrara, very satisfied and relieved after his team beat Torino 3-0 in round 16 of the Coppa Italia. This result make he still maintained at least until the end of the season.
Napili opponent’s game is crucial position. If Juve lose, then it is likely he will be fired immediately. So, he’s very grateful to the players who want to follow instructions and play with great enthusiasm.
“Very clearly this game is very, very important for anyone, not just for me. I think the players are dealing with the situation the best way to focus, attention, and the perfect spirit,” said Ferrara.
“Napoli has a good chance from Marek Hamsik who kick hit the goalpost. But, overall Juventus won the game prove worthy,” he added.
Mentioned about the issue of firring, Ferrara said, “We have developed a lot of rumors.”
He even explains his team plan to spend on players this January transfer window. “We’ll be working to buy the players needed to replace several players who left. We also must get the injured players recover quickly. We have little choice when in this game,” he explained. Read more…
Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara describes himself like a Hollywood movie characters, Rocky Balboa, which is a boxer who often bloody but will never give up.
“My friend recently told me, ‘You’re like Rocky.” I had already received so many blows and has been covered with blood, but I would say to my opponent, ‘You cannot hurt me. And I will be stronger when you’re hurting me. ” Nothing could make me give up, “said the former Juve defender.
Ferrara is currently being buffeted by a storm after his team had poor results since December. After eliminated from the Champions League, Juve are also often lost in the Serie-A. Last Del Piero and his colleagues are bent Milan 0-3 at home.
He also began to push to retired by a supporter. Guus Hiddink’s name was widely mentioned as a potential replacement of Ferrara. Of course this makes a Ferrara was getting depressed.
Game against Napoli in the Coppa Italy, Wednesday (13 / 1), maybe will be his last game with Juve.
Juventus coach, Ciro Ferrara, states will not resign from Juventus. However, if the club thinks he does not deserve to lead Juventus, he was ready to be fired.
The statement relates to the 0-3 defeat suffered by Juventus in the face AC Milan in Serie-A follow-up, Sunday (10.1.2010). Results were made Juventus stuck in third position with 33 points, or lose 12 points from Inter Milan at the top of the league.
Apart from the prestige and shame to lose at home, it makes even more trouble chasing Juventus scudetto. Although mathematically still able to pursue, referring to the performance, Juventus did not show significant performance improvements to compete with Inter Milan and reach.
Ferrara realized, unstable Juventus performance at high levels is a source of difficulty Juventus. And, as a coach, he realized his responsibility for it. However, he refused to give up and will do my best, as long trusted by the club. Read more…
AC Milan midfielder, Andrea Pirlo, satisfied with his team 3-0 victory over Juventus in Serie-A follow-up, at the Stadio Olimpico Grande, Sunday (10.1.2010). According to him, with this victory, his team could be evicted Inter Milan at the top.
Before the fight, there are many who predict Milan Juve would embarrass himself in front of supporters. Milan votes were in the best performance. Meanwhile, Juve are in crisis puddle. This assumption is not excessive even after winning Milan’s first goal by Alessandro Nesta.
Then, in a great pressure from Juventus, Milan showed the superiority with a pair of Ronaldinho goal in the second half. Thanks to this victory, Milan firmly in second place and only eight digits adrift of Inter.
Pirlo rate this victory Milan has not established measures to scudetto. However, he said, this victory is important to shorten the distance with Inter. He was convinced by one match postponed, the team can be enthroned at the top of the league.
“This victory does not determine (scudetto), but it is important to maintain consistency and distance with Inter after their win yesterday,” he said. Read more…
The French national has a second degree strain to the right ankle and will miss at least six games. The aim is to be back in action for Genoa. With no Iaquinta, Amauri will take his place against Milan
Three more points in the league table but one less striker. This is the situation facing Juventus the day after their match against Parma; the Bianconeri have lost David Trezeguet to injury for at least 40 days. The French striker, who was stretchered off at the Tardini, had an MR scan this morning. Tests showed a second-degree strain at the external compartment of his right ankle, meaning David won’t be back for at least 40 days. He will miss at least six games (5 Serie A matches and 1 Coppa Italia clash), but the aim is to get him back in action by the Juventus-Genoa game (14 February), more importantly because four days later there’s the first leg of the Europa League against Ajax.
Step up Amauri — This is a real blow for Ferrara who on the day of his team’s return to victory, lost his fittest, and best-scoring striker (8 goals this season). It’s more than likely now that he will have to rethink the team’s attacking strategy. Given Iaquinta won’t be playing (who returned to group training and kicked the ball around this morning but won’t be in the team against Milan), Amauri will take David Trezeguet’s place, starting from the tricky clash against the Rossoneri. He has no other choice, even though it’s not the best of times for the Brazilian at the moment. There’s no getting away from the numbers: just 4 goals in 23 games and one red card. Not a lot at all, considering Iaquinta has scored the same number in just 8 games. Read more…
After helping FC Bayern München come from behind to overwhelm Juventus 4-1 at the Stadio Olimpico, Ivica Oli? paid tribute to his team-mates for producing their “match of the season” to reach the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
‘Match of the year’
Oli? played a significant part in his side’s success, drawing the foul which led to the equalising penalty, putting Bayern 2-1 up and proving a continual threat to a Juve defence that struggled to contain the lively striker. “I am absolutely delighted that we won tonight,” he said. “We knew we needed to produce the match of the year and fortunately that’s exactly what we did. Everyone played really well.”
Telling contribution
Louis van Gaal’s side knew that only a win would suffice to keep them in the competition, so their task was made all the more difficult when David Trezeguet fired his side ahead on 19 minutes with a well-taken volley. Read more…
