Reds begin hunt for Benitez successor

Liverpool are beginning their search for a new manager after confirming the departure of Rafael Benitez this afternoon.

Benitez has left Anfield by mutual consent after six years in charge following a difficult season.

Former Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, now an Academy ambassador at the club, is to assist managing director Christian Purslow in identifying a successor but no timescale has been put on an appointment.

With owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett having put the club up for sale, Dalglish himself has been mentioned as a possible short-term solution but several other names have already been touted.

Roy Hodgson and Martin O’Neill, managers of Fulham and Aston Villa respectively, are among the early favourites, as is Guus Hiddink despite his recent appointment as Turkey manager.

Birmingham’s Alex McLeish could be an outside bet, as could Mark Hughes, whose strong links with Manchester United did not prevent his last appointment at Manchester City.

Defender Jamie Carragher, regarded as future management material, is currently preparing for the World Cup with England and does not appear a contender this time.

News that Liverpool are now seeking a new manager does not come as a surprise after a day of intense speculation on Merseyside.

Benitez’s position had been the subject of recurring speculation over the past year, and particularly after a disappointing end to the 2009-10 campaign.

Liverpool began the season among the title favourites after finishing runners-up last year but slid back alarmingly.

They ended up a disappointing seventh in the Barclays Premier League and were eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage.

That left them without a place in Europe’s elite competition next term and with club debts of £351m (€421m) – and reports of player dissatisfaction – the board felt the team needed fresh impetus.

Parting company with Benitez brings to an end an era which began in glorious fashion with Champions League success in 2005.

Benitez followed that with FA Cup victory the following year and another Champions League final appearance 12 months after that.

Yet despite the 2008-09 season’s strong Premier League showing, no more silverware was won and the side have clearly regressed.

Benitez famously gave a “guarantee” his side would finish in the top four this year but when that failed to materialise his position began to look precarious.

Fans had mixed opinions over the 50-year-old, with many turning against him but a significant hardcore maintaining support and instead voicing their disgruntlement with Hicks and Gillett.

Benitez said: “It is very sad for me to announce that I will no longer be manager of Liverpool FC.

“I would like to thank all of the staff and players for their efforts.

“I’ll always keep in my heart the good times I’ve had here, the strong and loyal support of the fans in the tough times and the love from Liverpool.

“I have no words to thank you enough for all these years and I am very proud to say that I was your manager.

“Thank you so much once more and always remember: you’ll never walk alone.”

Reports the end of Benitez’s reign was imminent began to appear last night but it was thought the financial situation could prove a sticking point.

Benitez signed a five-year contract in March 2009 and it was understood immediate termination could cost the club £16m (€19m).

That a compromise – reported to be £6m (€7.2bn) – has been reached quickly, however, will now allow Benitez to seek immediate re-employment elsewhere.

Benitez, linked with Real Madrid and Juventus in recent months, is being tipped as a potential successor to Jose Mourinho at European champions Inter Milan.

Chairman Martin Broughton said: “Rafa will forever be part of Liverpool folklore after bringing home the Champions League following the epic final in Istanbul, but after a disappointing season both parties felt a fresh start would be best for all concerned.”

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson believes Dalglish would be the perfect man to take over in the interim.

Dalglish, manager from 1985-91, led the Reds to the double in his first season in charge.

“I would have thought Kenny would be heavily involved and quite rightly so - maybe not just in choosing the manager but holding the fort in the meantime,” Lawrenson told BBC Radio Five Live.

Meanwhile A number of Liverpool fans were gathering at Anfield tonight to protest against owners Hicks and Gillett.

Today’s news that the club have parted company with manager Benitez sparked the impromptu protest, which is swelling by word of mouth.

James McKenna, spokesman for the Spirit of Shankly fans group, said: “This has not been arranged by Spirit of Shankly, but fans have just started turning up.

“It is not necessarily about the manager, but about how Tom Hicks and George Gillett are continuing to run this football club – they are running it into the ground.

“What has happened to the manager is the straw that has broken the camel’s back. They have got rid of him because of the financial situation.

“People have seen the lies and the broken promises from Hicks and Gillett about the new stadium.

“They always said they would back the manager. He has gone in and asked for a transfer budget but that budget cannot be provided because of the financial situation.”

Failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League could have serious financial implications for the club and the board feel a change of manager is necessary for fresh impetus.

But McKenna added: “No manager should be undermined by the financial situation of a football club and that is what has happened.

“There are 200 people here now and hopefully that is going to grow.

“Last season was disappointing but to me that is a direct consequence of the financial mismanagement of this club.

“Rafa is a world-class manager and he will probably go on to bigger and better things.”