SoccerBible Debate - Should Benitez stay or go? - 25/11/09
Following Liverpool's exit from the Champions League, the SoccerBible asks whether Rafa Benitez should stay or go, what's your opinion?
It's that time of the week again for the SoccerBible debate, and there's one topic on the lips of most football fans - Rafa Benitez. Liverpool are out of the Champions League, and in danger of not qualifying for next years after a poor run in the Premier League. Liverpool have only won one of their last six Premier League games and find themselves in seventh position, but how much of this is down to the Liverpool boss?
Has Rafa Benitez been unlucky with player injuries, financial restraints and the big decisions during the games, is he the man who can get Liverpool out of the mess they find themselves in? Or, is this all Rafa's fault due to the squad he's assembled, the selections he's made and the substitutions he makes?
PATRICK BERGER (Ex-Liverpool Player) - "He did ever so well for Liverpool but in my opinion, for him time is up and they should change their manager as soon as possible. He has spent so much money over the years - he did have success a few years ago but right now, for me, Liverpool do not look a side who can win either the Premier League or Champions League."
STAN COLLYMORE (Ex-Liverpool Player) - "I am not sure Hiddink will fancy kicking his heels in Russia until Euro 2012 and think he is definitely cut out for a big manager s job. Liverpool s 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Saturday showed Benitez is still a long way off Hiddink in terms of tactical ability "
GREGG ROUGHLY (Guardian Journalist) - "Liverpool would have a stronger squad today with Alonso, Sami Hyypia and Keane as part of it. These players left because BenÍtez mismanaged them. All suffered as a result of being treated like cogs in his machine rather than humans. Others are deteriorating as a result of this now: Ryan Babel, Javier Mascherano and Riera's form has dipped as BenÍtez has given them the cold treatment with no explanation."
CHRISTIAN PURSLOW (Liverpool Managing Director) - "Rafa signed a new five-year deal four months ago and in those terms he has barely started on that journey. You do not deviate from long-term plans in terms of people and the way to take this club to the next level."
STEVEN GERRARD (Liverpool Captain) - "Even after five years with Rafa, I still feel I want to please him, that I want to impress him in every game I play. The great managers are like that."
IAN RUSH (Liverpool Legend)- "I believe they are going the right way. Liverpool's a fantastic club and there's great pressure playing for Liverpool and also managing Liverpool because they set such high standards. What they've got to do now is get behind the team, get behind the manager and let them prove it again."
WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR OPINION - SHOULD RAFA BENITEZ STAY OR SHOULD HE GO?...
