By Ollie Irish
What craftsmanship!
Juventus want Rafa Benitez to replace current gaffer Ciro Ferrara (Ferrara was a great foot soldier in his playing career but he has been found wanting as a head coach). Rafa’s agent, Manuel Quilon, refused to rule out a move to Italy for his client:
“Benitez to Juventus? In football you never know. I don’t know what will happen in four to five months. In football everything changes quickly, but the basic principle is that Rafa still has a four-year contract with Liverpool.”
And this in today’s Guardian:
“With the gamble on Ferrara yet to pay dividends Juventus want a more experienced, proven coach to take control at Stadio delle Alpi. The coveted Guus Hiddink, whose uncertain future as Russia coach has placed several Premier League clubs including Liverpool on alert, priced himself out of a move to Turin by demanding £3m to reprise his Chelsea fire-fighting role from last season and take charge until the end of this campaign, plus a £6m-a-year salary thereafter.
“Benitez earns around £4m a year basic at Anfield under the terms of the five-year contract he signed last March. Juventus may struggle to match those terms but Benitez could earn more net in Italy on a reduced contract, given the 50% tax rate that comes into effect in Britain in April.” [LINK]
Italian newspaper La Stampa claims that Hiddink could be the man to replace Benitez at Anfield. The Dutchman wouldn’t be cheap but his track record is excellent and it’s clear that he relished his brief time in the Premier League.
Liverpool fans, what do you make of this development? Are you still behind Rafa, or is now the right time to let him go to Italy? Let’s have it…