No early Parry return, say Reds

Liverpool were today making no special preparations for the imminent arrival of a new manager despite the departure of Rafael Benitez from Valencia.

Benitez, the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Gerard Houllier in the Anfield hot seat, left the UEFA Cup winners yesterday.

However, Liverpool today insisted chief executive Rick Parry will not return from holiday early amid reports the club are on the verge of appointing a new boss.

Parry will be involved in the decision-making process but is remaining in Barbados. While Liverpool refused to comment on speculation linking Benitez with the role, a spokesperson added: “Rick Parry will not be returning from holiday until the week commencing June 7.”

Earlier this week Parry said he expected an appointment to be made in the next fortnight.

He claimed in the wake of Houllier’s departure that if a candidate for the job had won trophies it would help their case.

Benitez, who bid a tearful farewell to Valencia yesterday, won the Spanish League title and the UEFA Cup last season.