Benitez has earned place in Anfield folklore, claims Martinez

WIGAN boss Roberto Martinez was not surprised to see Rafael Benitez leave Liverpool but feels his fellow Spaniard’s place is secure in the folklore of the Merseyside club.

Benitez’s six-year tenure at Anfield was ended yesterday by mutual consent following a disappointing 2009-10 campaign in which the Reds were eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage and finished a lowly seventh in the Premier League.

Martinez admits Benitez fell short of the club’s target’s last year but is confident he will be remembered fondly by Liverpool supporters.