Rafa has clearly won the clash of the titans and come out on top after an at times bitter power struggle at Anfield which has left Chief Executive Rick
Parry heading for the exit but still leaves the Spaniard having to deal with Messrs Hicks and Gillett who are still not the best of buddies.Annihilating both Real Madrid and Man United in the space of days must have left Benitez in a good mood and the 48 year old has now committed his immediate future at the club. This news should at least allay some of the rumour mongering journalists from yet again linking him to the as yet not-vacant spot at the Bernabeu (by the way people should realise that Juande Ramos, 4-0 Scouse drubbing aside, has done a pretty good job at the La Liga champions).
Mr. Benitez has done a steady job at the Merseyside outfit since taking over from Gérard Houllier in June 2004 and he did of course bring them the Champions League title in his first season, and boy what a way to do it, but clearly he longs for the Premier League crown which is still within reach this term.
The club has proved it is at its when in European competition, evidence that former Valencia manager tactical genius is at its most effective when battling teams on the continent. Now the fans will be hoping that the club can push on from this announcement and look to strengthen its domestic form and challenge the all dominant Man United side that Sir Alex has honed.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks to the gaffer's desire to sign a long term deal at the club was that he wanted to be fully in control of every aspect of the management game, most notably he wanted total control of the purchasing of new players. Now those in the England would consider this to be part and parcel of the management portfolio but of course elsewhere this job has been handed down to ‘Director's of Football' or such like, Rafa Benitez quite rightly wanted to redress this imbalance not least because he had seen Rick Parry ‘Mastermind' the signing of Robbie Keane, a player Rafa never wanted. Harry Redknapp had a similar problem when he took over at Spurs, he too wanted to do business the old fashioned way and quickly removed those in positions that in effect undermined the job he would do at the club.
Liverpool fans will be hopeful that this deal will further cement the club on the road to recovery. A road that has left the club without the treasured possession of a league title in 19 years, a length of time made all the more unbelievable when coupled with the clubs rich history. This week will live long in the supporters memories and when all is said and done the contract that has been signed will in effect give a far more longer lasting feeling of pleasure to those who follow the club than the two fantastic victories achieved.
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