Benitez’s agent says he is going nowhere. Isn’t it time for him to move on?

Although Liverpool can still win the Europa League and I suppose, have an outside chance of finishing in the top four in the Premier League, this has to go down as something of a disastrous season for them.

Hopes

At the start of the season hopes were at their highest point for many years in terms of success in the Champions League, but more importantly for many of the fans, in terms of challenging for the Premier League title.

At the very least, the fans would have expected some domestic silverware but that never looked like happening. Whilst success in the Europa League would be worth a little celebration, let us not forget how low the quality of that competition is compared to the Champions League.

Contract

Not too long ago manager Rafa Benitez signed a contract that keeps him at Anfield until 2014. Since the day that contract was signed I am sure that both the club and the manager himself have sometimes regretted that decision.

After the disasters of this season so far many people think that the only reason Benitez is still in the job is because his contract makes it too difficult financially for the club to sack him.

Loans

Liverpool are believed to have £237 million of outstanding loans with RBS and Wachovia banks, and have to repay £100m this year, although a deadline of July set by RBS has been delayed by six months.

Manuel Garcia Quilon is Rafa Benitez’s agent and he holds an opposite view, believing that finances are the only possible reason for his client to not see out his contract.

“The intention of Benitez is to fulfil the contract he has until 2014. But it’s true the club is subject to fluctuations in their financial situation. They could influence the future of the club, and therefore Benitez as well.”

Liverpool’s American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, are believed to be looking to sell the club for about £500 million, with British Airways chief Martin Broughton reportedly being brought in to lead the search for a new buyer for the club.

Talking to Spanish paper AS, Benitez’s agent added that he was aware of Chinese investors who are interested in the buying the club and keeping his client on as the manager.

“The Chinese have an interest because they have called Rafa and told him that their condition for buying the club is that he continues as coach”

There has been much speculation about Benitez’s future and reports this week linked him with a move to Serie A with Juventus. These followed continued rumours that Real Madrid will be looking for a new manager in the summer and that Benitez is their number one choice.

The agent said that there has been absolutely no discussion about Benitez leaving his current post.

“For now Madrid have not made a move to sign him”

The record of Rafa Benitez shows him winning promotion from the Segunda Division with Tenerife and then twice winning La Liga with Valencia. He also won the UEFA Cup with that side before moving to Liverpool. Since going there he has won a Champions League and an FA Cup.

Expected

That is not too bad a record, but I am sure that Liverpool would have expected and hoped for more in the six years he has been at the club.

To be regarded as a great manager for the proud Liverpool club he has to stand and be counted against Bill Shankley, Bob Paisley and Kenny Dalglish. I’m afraid that at this time his record does not stand comparison.

Whilst Benitez has many supporters at Anfield I can’t help but feel it may be best for all concerned if he moved on, one way or another, in the summer.