In the past twelve months, there has been plenty of speculation linking Rafael Benitez with the Anfield exit door. However, this has been mainly due to his spiky relationship with Messrs Gillett and Hicks, rather than the Spaniard actually wanting to leave Anfield or being unhappy in his long-standing role as Liverpool manager. Now it appears as though he’s being sough-after from abroad.
Or maybe the Daily Mirror are just having a slow news day, and he’s the only manager of a ‘Big Four’ club that could possibly leave their club in the near future. After all, why would Benitez give up all his good work at Liverpool to join Juventus? And why is Claudio Ranieri going to leave all of a sudden? The old lady of Turin may have had an indifferent start in Serie A, but it’s hard to see the ex-Chelsea manager being sacked at this stage of the season.
Rafa Benitez is on a shortlist of three if Juventus sack under pressure coach Claudio Ranieri.
The Italian boss has been given until Christmas to save his job in Turin. If he fails, then Juve want one of Benitez, Frank Rijkaard or former Italy boss Roberto Donadoni.
And that effectively could leave Liverpool’s American owners with a new year deadline to secure their manager’s long-term future.
The Spanish coach has indicated that he is ready to sign a new contract to ensure he stays at Anfield.
While Xabi Alonso could well find himself in Turin this time next season, it’s extremely unlikely that Benitez will be managing him. This rumour appears to have come about as it’s been revealed that Ranieri is proving unpopular at the Stadio dello Alpi, although surely Liverpool supporters don’t expect their manager to be his replacement?
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