I want to stay at Valencia - Benitez

Valencia coach Rafael Benitez has moved to quash speculation linking him to Liverpool by stating categorically that he intends to stay with the Spanish champions.

Although the Anfield board have reportedly put Benitez at the top of their list to take over from Gerard Houllier, who parted company with the club on Monday, the Spanish coach apparently has no interest in the position.

Speaking on Valencia-based Radio Nou, he said: “I am in no hurry to go to Inter Milan, Barcelona or Real Madrid, or any other club.

“I want to stay at Valencia. It’s already a big club.”

Changing to speak about himself in the third person, he added: “It’s clear that Benitez is not looking for a team.”

Under Benitez, who replaced Argentinian Hector Cuper in 2001, Valencia have become the foremost team in Spain’s Primera Liga, even though they do not boast the spending power of traditional giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

They won both the domestic league title and the UEFA Cup in the 2003/04 season.

Benitez is believed to be keen to test his Valencia side against the continent’s best in next season’s Champions League.