Looks like the Liverpool top brass has thrown down the gauntlet to Rafa.
http://blogs.soccernet.com/paperround/archives/2009/02/rafa_must_win_title_or_go.phpRafa must win title or go
Posted by Dom Raynor 3 hours, 53 minutes ago
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has been told he needs to win the Premier League title to save his job by club co-owner George Gillett, according to the Sunday Express.
On a rare visit to Merseyside Gillett let it be known that he blamed Rafa's rant against Sir Alex Ferguson for Liverpool's slump in form and has demanded that the Spaniard rectify the situation.
Gillett, who refuses to bow to Benitez’s demands for complete control over transfer policy before agreeing to a new four-year contract, also believes that the Liverpool boss likes to be constantly linked with other big jobs.
Meanwhile, one of the Premier League's top referees has revealed that some of the game's top stars ask to get booked so they can skive off games and go on holiday, report The News of the World.
The astonishing betrayal of fans by prima donna players was exposed by top Premier League ref Steve Bennett. The league's bosses have now launched a probe into the claims and said: "We will be asking Bennett for an explanation."
Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Juande Ramos has told The People that he warned chairman Daniel Levy that selling Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov was "too risky".
Spurs cashed in on their prized assets last summer, selling Keane to Liverpool and Berbatov to Man United but have since re-signed Keane, along with Jermain Defoe and Pascal Chimbonda.
Ramos said: "It was too risky but they paid no attention to me and things turned out badly. That is where my problems at Spurs started."
The Keane debacle is also the focus of the Sunday Telegraph, who claim the Republic of Ireland striker will retain his "pride" with a dignified silence on his thoughts about Benitez and his rough ride at Liverpool.
Keane, who returned to Tottenham on the final day of the transfer window following six unhappy months on Merseyside, said: "I'm one of those respectful persons - and I'm not getting into a slagging match."
England manager Fabio Capello has handed on-loan AC Milan midfielder David Beckham the chance to equal Bobby Moore's 108 cap record if selected to play in the friendly against Spain in Seville on 11 February, report The Observer.
Also in the England squad is Everton defender Phil Jagielka, who expertly marked Fernando Torres during his side's victory against Liverpool. However perhaps the most shocking inclusion is that of the West Ham forward Carlton Cole, who has fired in front of goal recently, scoring six times in the past seven games.
The Sunday Mirror report that Luiz Felipe Scolari's love affair with the Chelsea fans is well and truly over after they turned on him following the Blues 0-0 draw with Hull City at Stamford Bridge.
The Brazilian boss was jeered with chants of "you don't know what you're doing".
And finally, the News of the World claim that a trio of Arsenal stars will quit the Emirates if Arsene Wenger's side miss out on Champions League football.
Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor and Cesc Fabregas are all increasingly concerned at Arsenal's lack of silverware and ambition - and the final straw will come if they finish outside the top four.
Comments
Posted by Ashim Sachdev 4 hours, 2 minutes ago
Sod George Gillet. there's one man to do this job and it is Rafa. Instead of doing so much of the talking, George Gillet and Tom Hicks should sell up. It's time for them to leave and be left out for good.
Posted by dandyxon 3 hours, 48 minutes ago
Man Utd have the greatest style of football. United will win both the Premier League title, Champions League, FA Cup & Carling Cup as well. We have a very good and understanding manager who knows how to tackle the team with goos results.
Posted by Zola 3 hours, 36 minutes ago
Fire Rafa now, he has been horrible this year and needs to go. Sorry, but draws won't win you the title.
Posted by Stasi Prandalos 3 hours, 23 minutes ago
The Liverpool Amercian shareholders have created a mess, their troubles & pending financial problems have no doubt affected Rafa Benitez- it will become increasingly difficult for him to compartmentalize these issues and manage the team with all his energy, passion and commitment and then have at the same time have to deal with the confusion they are bringing on - his outbourst on Sir Alex Ferguson is a clear sign of the stress building up within him as he is now so close to winning the Permier League and having to deal with the American Shareholders problems, their rivalry.Liverpool need total stability & consistency at Shareholder/Board level with this they will win the Premier League.
Posted by shayan 3 hours, 19 minutes ago
guess we are going to say bye bye to rafa then. Lol
Posted by Wyn Sutuntivorakoon 3 hours, 18 minutes ago
gotta feel sorry for Arsenal. All their top stars left and they're forced to play most of their youth players. If Robin Van Persie, Fabregas, and Adebayor leave Arsenal have no way in being in Champions League football unless they buy some real quality players during the summer transfer window.
Posted by E M Muga 3 hours, 2 minutes ago
Benitez can't win the title! The way he played against Pompey.......if he play the same to Arsenal or Man United or Aston Villa.......he will be beaten by no less than 4 goals....
Posted by Togarmah Neslon 2 hours, 54 minutes ago
I believe that Arsenal will lift a silverware again. it May not be this year but next season defiantly. Arsen need to star buying STAR players if he wants to win a championship next season.
Posted by MattyP 2 hours, 43 minutes ago
Rafa has spent alot of money and fair enough if he doesn't win it this year he should go, You can win titles in spain and you can win the champions league but the premier league is the hardest league of them all. He has had five years of spending and building the rafalution this year all or nothing.
Posted by Amir Ezwan 2 hours, 21 minutes ago
No doubt Man Utd will win all the major trophies this year.
Posted by Torres09 2 hours, 17 minutes ago
Ashim Sachdev, I agree, if they don't sell soon they will have the fans to answer to. Zola, you must have been smoking something illegal my friend. Rafa's is the best thing to hit Liverpool since the 80's but I bet you are not a fan.
Posted by Aditya 1 hour, 50 minutes ago
@Matty
Mate, he has still spent less than Chelsea and Manchester United in terms of NET AMOUNT spent. Arsenal is the only team which has made a profit, but look where they are right now. Chelsea, for all the money spent, is in 4th place! We're challenging for top spot having spent around a net amount of 8 million pounds now that we've sold Keane. The only addition has been Riera as Dossena hasn't been a regular. If he reploughs that 16 million pounds for next season, imagine how much we'll benefit.
And finally, THIS STORY IS TOSH because Guilleme Ballague, one of the most reputed Spanish journalists has claimed that Rafa is close to signing a new deal and this was agreed to by BOTH OWNERS.
Posted by Lex 1 hour, 48 minutes ago
Arsenal stars to quit if they miss out on Champions league football? Aren't they the players who are supposed to carry us into the Champions league? Just know that if you quit Arsenal then that is the beginning of the end for your career.
Posted by MyTeam 1 hour, 21 minutes ago
If all club owners have the same attitude as George Gillett, there will be only one manager left in the premier league come May 2009. Congratulations Sir Alex.
Posted by Dave 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
seems like a silly threat, especially if Hicks is on Rafa's side. i mean, if that's the case, and the two seem to be at odds on almost everything to do with the club, the threat of sacking him is moot.
Posted by Joseph 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
Yankee boss to Rafa: "Win title or you go"
Liverpool fans to Yankees: "Go, and Rafa will win the title.."
Posted by jagjit 1 hour, 3 minutes ago
Chelsea should start getting a new manager immeadiately as Luiz is no way going to get them anywhere