OFFER ... Jose Mourinho
Benitez raised doubts about his Anfield future by refusing to sign his new contract offer. Those fears effectively ended after Wednesday’s 1-0 Champions League win at Real Madrid, when the Kop boss revealed he plans to stay.
Yet the club’s American owners were so wary of being left without an alternative if the Spaniard quit, they targeted Mourinho as a possible replacement.
And middle men sounded out whether the former Chelsea boss would be interested. An insider confirmed: “The Americans had read Mourinho was interested in returning to the Premier League and wanted to know if he meant it. “But it wasn’t a firm approach or a job offer. It was more a case of testing the water in case Rafa did decide to walk out.”
Benitez had refused to commit his future to Liverpool until he got assurances he could have more control over transfers and a bigger say in the club’s academy. He was also unsettled that the rift between owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks cast him as piggy-in-the-middle, leaving him in an untenable position. But further talks have taken place with Benitez’s representatives over the past two days and he has no plans to leave.
He is now expected to commit himself to another four years in charge sooner rather than later. Mourinho was one of the leading candidates to replace Gerard Houllier five years ago, before Benitez got the job, and has revealed he would love to return to the Premier League at some stage.
i cant wait to see mourihno take over liverpool.
that would actually be bloody spectacular 
no money to spend wor....
actually the more rafa say he will stay, he more i think he will go.
just like robbie keane, keep saying he will stay stay stay, in the end suddenly go.
How can no money to spend? Rafa has been spending a lot of money mah... Jamie Reeves mentioned on Football focus that Rafa spent more money than United over the last 5 years since he took over... Only thing is he buy a lot of those under $10m players then when it doesn't work out, he get rid of them cheaply lah...
I think Rafa himself want to stay... But George Gillett and Parry want to get rid of him... While Hicks want to keep "his man" Rafa on the job...
I somehow belief there was something going on this week to get rid of him... But the win at Real Madrid may have saved him for the time being and made Gillett and Parry to hold back on their plans... Cos it seems strange that only Hicks camp instead of the 2 owners came out to deny Rafa was leaving the club on the recent rumour... Gillett and Parry didn't seem too bother by it just before an important match...
Please replace that Rafa Benitez, I had enough of his lousy attitude.
hahahahaha~
interesting
Sounded out: Liverpool would consider an approach for Jose Mourinho should Rafa Benitez leave the club
Jose Mourinho has been sounded out about the Liverpool manager’s post amid continuing doubts over Rafa Benitez’s Anfield future.
Sportsmail understands that the former Chelsea manager is growing increasingly disenchanted at Inter Milan and has been made aware by intermediaries — albeit unofficial — of potential interest from Liverpool, should Benitez leave.
Despite heading for the Serie A title in his first season at San Siro, Mourinho has indicated to advisers he would welcome a return to the Barclays Premier League. Taking charge of Manchester United is his main objective, and he is believed to have been earmarked as an eventual replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson, possibly at the end of next season.
Liverpool maintain a compromise can be found with Benitez but are likely to consider an approach for Mourinho should they fail to resolve their contract impasse.
The Liverpool manager tried to play down concerns over his position in the wake of Wednesday’s Champions League win at Real Madrid, and is still exploring ways of reaching an agreement.
Spanish sources have increased the uncertainty, though, by claiming he feels increasingly isolated and is beginning to question whether he still has unequivocal backing from the dressing room.
Mourinho, who figured prominently on Liverpool’s wanted list when Gerard Houllier was sacked, is clearly in the thoughts of co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett as they bid to find common ground with Benitez.
Talks between lawyers and advisers over contentious clauses in a proposed four-and-a-half-year deal resumed on Wednesday but again failed to satisfy all parties.
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Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho wants to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
The Daily Mail says despite heading for the Serie A title in his first season at San Siro, Mourinho has indicated to advisers he would welcome a return to the Barclays Premier League.
Taking charge of Manchester United is his main objective, and he is believed to have been earmarked as an eventual replacement for Ferguson, possibly at the end of next season.
would welcome him with open arms provided he can get the team to play attacking football!
i think he wants to take revenge on RA for sacking him.
Man I'd be bored to tears if he every brought his boring football to Man Utd. Even if we keep on winnning.
good candidate
very very good
Martin O'Neil would be the prime candidate to suceed SAF. If he refuses, I guess Mourinho would be ok.
EPL and english press missed Jose.
Jose also missed them as the italian press dun really give him any spotlight.
The other club manager dun really played his game with him through the press.
I guess Jose have more fun taking a swipe at Alex, Wenger and Rafa.
The italian league must be boring him to tears.
He will be good for the world of football as he is the special one that make lots of issue with the press.
Ah Ben would want his old foe back as he failed to tickle Alex at the beginning of the year.
That is provided that he is not fired by the end of the season.
i will vote for jose instead of rafa for liverpool
Looks like with Parry out, Rafa have won and is set to stay... Mourinho no longer needed at Pool...
What about Cantona?
thats one of his mind game, he'll pester ManU even after their ECL