Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has dampened speculation that he is about to resign from his job, saying he is hoping to sign a new contract sooner rather than later.
The Spaniard, whose contract runs until the end of next season, was the subject of a flurry of betting activity on Wednesday, causing a number of bookmakers to suspend their market on him becoming the next Premier League manager to leave his club.
But after his side’s 1-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday, Benitez said the rumors were untrue.
PHOTO: AP
“I can assure you that I have not been considering such a move, and it was a shock to hear such suggestions,” he said. “It needs to be clear that I was not thinking of resigning. My aim is to keep working and winning and to tell the owners that on the pitch.”
Benitez’s advisers have been locked in contract talks with the club’s owners for many months now, with the Spaniard reportedly demanding control over transfers.
But he said a new deal could be signed soon.
“My lawyers and advisers have been talking to the club’s owners on Wednesday about the contract and I feel the problems we have can be overcome,” he said.
“I expect talks to continue between my lawyers, my advisers, myself and the owners. I am really pleased with my position at the club, I have not been thinking about resigning,” Benitez said.
“My aim is to win every game that is possible for this club, and my advisors will continue to talk. We will see what happens then. We are still talking, so we will see what happens. I was not thinking about resigning, obviously I cannot control other things that I could be fired, but I was just concentrating on the game,” he said.
“The club has made it clear this rumor was not true. That is important for everyone. Stability is the key if you want to be successful,” Benitez added.
Liverpool lie second in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Manchester United.
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