Has disgruntled Spaniard left Anfield?
No official word on this yet but rumours abound that Rafa Benitez has walked out on Liverpool. Word reached OTP on the grapevine firstly that an unnamed Premier League manager had quit, and then that Benitez had left.
It wouldn’t be surprising given his rocky relationship with the club’s owners and his current transfer budget.
More to follow as we find out whether there is any truth in this.
Update: If it is true most ironic headline of the day award goes to the Belfast Telegraph for this.
Update 2: The latest word is that betting has been suspended on Benitez leaving Liverpool. Any Reds still wanting to keep the faith can take heart from the fact that it was also suspended in February. Anyone tried to put money on this in the last hour or so?
Update 3: The rumour is now being repeated on talkSport. Maybe that just means they read about it here, but it’s now going mainstream!
Update 4: We’ve got some names named: Paddy Power is apparently a bookie that has definitely suspended bets on Benitez leaving.
Update 5: Best conspiracy theory so far is here.
Update 6: Benitez is at Anfield ahead of tonight’s match with Stoke. Some are taking that to mean all is well, while other reports suggest he is in pre-match crisis talks to stop him quitting. At least we know he hasn’t walked very far if he did walk! Other than that, still nothing concrete.
Update 7: The closer it gets to kick-off the less likely it seems that he will quit before the match. But there is rarely this much smoke without fire – must be something going on behind the scenes.
Update 8: There you have it: just a rumour.
