New contract for Rafa Benitez yet to materialise at Liverpool
RAFAEL BENITEZ remains committed to his long-term Liverpool vision despite a promised new contract having so far failed to materialise.
Anfield co-owner Tom Hicks stated in April that Benitez would be offered a one-year extension to his present deal, which expires at the end of next season.
However, the ongoing tense relations in the corridors of power and concerns over financing a new stadium have placed any proposed new contract on the backburner.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich have all previously failed to lure the Spaniard away from Anfield, with Juventus this week the latest club to be linked with the former Valencia manager.
But Benitez has dismissed any concern over his contract situation after having guided his team to an unbeaten start to the season.
"I'm not really worried about the situation at the moment," said the Spaniard. "I am trying to be pragmatic about it and am just concentrating on the things I can improve. It doesn't make it more difficult for me to plan for the future.
"I can only control things on the pitch, improve the squad, and if I can do that then things will be easier in the future. I'm really pleased here and I have two more years left on my contract, so right now I'm just trying to do my job as best as I can.
"I've always said I want to stay here for many years, and I have the same idea."
Benitez, who is now in his fifth season at Anfield, believes all clubs can benefit from a long-term approach.
"You can analyse the situation at other clubs in England at the moment," he added. "I will not talk about other managers, but the problem in England now is that everyone wants to be successful too soon.
"That is the part of the game I don't like. I would prefer to have a long-term contract and then you can have a long-term plan.
"All managers need time but it is more difficult to get that now. But that is not just a problem for me. All managers are in the same situation."
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liverpool to dominate all the way
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