Quillon: finances key to Rafa future

MANAGER Rafael Benitez intends to see out the remaining four years of his contract at Liverpool but his future could be decided by the club’s financial position, according to the Spaniard’s agent Manuel Garcia Quillon.

Quillon also claimed an unnamed Chinese investor was interested in buying out co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett and keeping Benitez on as manager.

But if that did not happen then Quillon said the two Americans would have to find a solution to the club’s current financial restrictions – Liverpool are currently trying to slice £100m (€114m) off their £237m (€270.4m) debt – to prevent Benitez considering his future.

The Liverpool boss has been linked with Juventus again this week, with the Serie A club reportedly having made him their number one target back in January, while it seems likely the Real Madrid post will become vacant again this summer.

However, Quillon said Benitez had a long-term commitment at Anfield.

“The intention of Benitez is to fulfil the contract that he has with Liverpool until 2014 but it’s true that the club is subject to fluctuations in their financial situation,” said the Spaniard’s agent.

“They could influence the future of the club and therefore Benitez as well.

“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.”

Quillon said Benitez remained a potential candidate for some of the top jobs in Europe but that there had been no discussion about him leaving Liverpool.

“For now (Real) Madrid have not made a move to sign him,” he said.

Meanwhile Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini was yesterday fined £20,000, suspended until the end of the 2011/12 season, after being found guilty of improper conduct, the FA have announced.

The Italian was charged following City’s Premier League clash against Everton at Eastlands on March 24 when he clashed with Toffees counterpart David Moyes. The pair had a touchline scuffle after Moyes caught the ball, an action Mancini considered time wasting. The former Inter boss accepted the charge and had a personal hearing resulting in yesterday’s outcome.

Bolton striker Kevin Davies was also found guilty of improper conduct and given a suspended fine following comments made after the goalless draw against Fulham on February 6.

Davies had what would have been a late winner ruled out by referee Mark Clattenburg at the Reebok Stadium and after the game suggested the referee had “something personal” against him.