The lack of funding may see the likes of Torres and Gerrard move on. The latter has been linked with Real Madrid in the last month, but honestly I wouldn't be surprised to wake up one morning and see MY name linked with RM...they are the pot-stirrers of Europe.
Benitez was gracious in his departure, and the Anfield head office assured the public that his leaving was "by mutual consent."
On the club's official site, Benitez spoke about his years at Anfield:
"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."I can't think of one Liverpool fan who wanted him to stay. They have been frustrated with him since their last big victory (Champions League 2005), and watched their team slip from a 10-point lead over Manchester United last season to a second-place finish by 2 points. His team selection has been widely-criticized as well. But I can feel for him a bit. He has dealt with a few injuries too. Torres is never fit. Gerrard has been a ghost of a captain this year. I'm not sure how they were going to make a go of it, even after last year's promising campaign.
He has also been a victim of his own ego, I suppose you would call it. The public row with Sir Alex Ferguson was laughable. His "Fact" rant made him the laughing stock of not only his own fans, but gave a wonderful opportunity for opposing fans to mock him. United even sold a t-shirt on their website that said "18 Prem League titles...and that's a fact!" hehe
I'm not sure anyone would disagree that Liverpool parked the bus against Chelsea this year to prevent United from winning their record-setting 19th Prem title, even though Benitez and company refuted that claim. Their play would say otherwise. Steven Gerrard's ridiculous back-pass to Reina resulted in an easy goal for the Blues...game over. So where is he going? All bets are on Inter Milan, who just saw their manager adios himself to Madrid. I love this time of year...it's like the cake walk at the carnival. When the music stops, sit down, and that's your club. I'm not sure who will want to be sitting next to the Liverpool cake...
Adios, Rafa.
Enough talk about 7th-placed teams...it's World Cup time! I have a little scramble for my readers. First one to finish will win a....well...you won't win anything...you'll know that you were first. :)
Unscramble the trivia question answers below:
1. Name the United player who will wear the red and green of Mexico in South Africa:
hint: vireja rndzenaeh
2. Who is the captain of Portugal's team?
hint: tasricion nordoal
3. What is the official name of the WC ball (which has been criticized by everyone but the players sponsored by Adidas)?
hint: uijbnala
4. Name the National Teams represented by United players in SA...there are six:
hints: basier
dalgean
uohts oekra
gtroaplu
nafcer
ixcemo
5. Now name those players (8) (I put them out of order...so no cheating):
hints: rivjea nedzrehna
cetpiar rvae
yenwa oenoyr
rakp ij nugs
ori drndniefa
suil ad hancu
jnamean diivc
lhecaim rcrckia
6. Manager mixup...unscramble the last names of the managers from Brazil, Portugal, United States, England, Spain, and France (they are out of order):
hints: lde quseob
plecloa
zriueoq
gnuad
cnhemoed
ydrleba
There you have it...the World Cup Scramble. See if you can solve it, then check back to see who won!
7 days and counting...
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