Bye Bye Benitez

A year of utter turmoil at Liverpool football club appears to have reached its pinnacle with the news that Rafael Benitez will step down as manager after 6 years at Anfield. Failure to gain that elusive first Premiership title for the reds became frustrating for one half of Merseyside and ecstasy for the blue side. Despite failing to win the domestic title, he did however manage to master a Champions league title in 2005 against European giants A.C Milan meaning that Liverpool's history of cup winnings in Europe increased further. But after 6 roller coaster years at Liverpool, the club and Rafa sat down and decided it was time for change after a turbulent year seeing Liverpool sink to 7th place and an early exit from the Champions league which they normally fare well in. But amongst most Liverpool fans this wasn't the change they wanted as they have grown increasingly angered by the American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett's reluctance to sell the club. Financially, these loathed owners claim that Liverpool is in a healthy state, but others would argue otherwise. Benitez had been restricted in his spending this year and despite spending a healthy some on Aquilani, he hasn't been blessed with the riches that a club of Liverpool's stature would come to expect. 'It's not a club it's a business to them.' A view heard all too frequently amongst the kop as they beg the 'yank' owners to sell to someone who passionately cares for the club and not the riches they can gain from it.

So what now for Liverpool football club? Many fans accept the fact that they now must be patient and give the new manager time to settle and rebuild a club which has been abused to say the least by these two American antagonists. The primary objective for the new boss must be to keep hold of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard who for the last two years have been pivotal in Liverpool's success. The Kop will be less patient however as every day they become incessantly frustrated with the owners and cry out for someone willing to take the club forwards.

Unless you're a Mancunian or a Toffee, its hard not to sympathise to a club who seemed two years ago to be moving in the right direction with an impressive second place, only to drop 5 places in the subsequent season and not even achieve Champions league football. Early contenders to succeed Benitez are Martin O'Neill and Kenny Dalglish, so who would be the best for a highly demanding managerial position? Il leave that decision up to you so please leave your views in a comment below and also comment on the blog as a whole. Thank you.