Anzhi Makhachkala, the Russian club with an abundance of wealth behind them, are reportedly close to signing Fabio Capello as manager. The club, owned by Russian billionaire Suleyman Kerimov, has made no attempts to hide its wealth and in recent times has made moves for every notable high profile player available for transfer.

::: FistedAway welcomes a guest post from Elliott,
editor of the rather lovely Futfanatico :::

The path from the cusp of destruction to redemption has been a long one for Liverpool FC fans. Bad apple Americans owners. The departure of Rafael Benitez. The exodus of star players like Xabi Alonso.

::: FistedAway welcomes a guest post from Elliott,
editor of the rather lovely Futfanatico :::

The path from the cusp of destruction to redemption has been a long one for Liverpool FC fans. Bad apple Americans owners. The departure of Rafael Benitez. The exodus of star players like Xabi Alonso.

The FIFA backed "International Federation of Football History & Statistics" (IFFHS) has released its Top 10 list of World Football Coaches & Managers, with Scotsman & Manchester United Coach/Manager Sir Alex Ferguson as the Top placed (Nº 1) so far this 21st Century. Ferguson leads by just 1 point Arsenal Coach/Manager Arsene Wenger with Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho in 3rd place.

The old saying hard work never goes unrewarded is perfectly embodied in Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Not only has he won multiple titles with United, but he is now the most successful manager in English football history since taking over United in November 1986.

It in light of this that the Glazer family are in talks with Ferguson and plan to reward him with a new contract that will make him the best paid manager in the English Premier League.

Now on Twitter: Rafa Benitez

FORMER Real Valladolid, Osasuna, Extremadura, Tenerife, Valencia, Inter Milan and, of course, Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez has added an official Twitter account to run alongside his official website. Rafa Benitez, pictured with Number Five, is now on Twitter The official Rafa Benitez website is a hive of information and in-depth analysis of the game of football as seen not only by Rafa but by a wealth of experts in various aspects of the game.

Keisuke Honda's agent has denied claims that Liverpool or Arsenal are pursuing the player.
CSKA Moscow's attacking midfielder was heavily linked with a move to England in the summer transfer window, with both Kenny Dalglish and Arsene Wenger reported to be admirers of the 25-year-old.
However, agent Kees Ploegsma has moved quickly to deny the speculation, insisting there has been no contact over a possible move away from Russia.

Former Liverpool defender Gary Gillespie has reiterated his claims that Charlie Adam can be as good - if not better - than Xabi Alonso.
The Spanish international became a cult hero during his five-years at Anfield, although left for Real Madrid under a cloud in 2009 after falling out with manager Rafael Benitez.

Remember when Rafael Benitez showed up that press conference ahead of Liverpool's game against Stoke and produced a sheet of paper containing 'facts' about Sir Alex Ferguson?

During Andre Villas-Boas Friday press conference, the Chelsea manager produced a laminated chart to show the press his club's current points compared with other teams of years gone by.

Rafa Benitez could join David Beckham at Paris St Germain

Rafael Benitez has been lined up as a replacement for Paris St Germain coach Antoine Kombouare in a move which could see the Italian link up with David Beckham.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-12-05 12:26:24 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Rafa Benitez lined up to take over at Paris St Germain

Former Liverpool and Inter Milan manager Rafael Benitez has been lined up as a replacement for Paris St Germain coach Antoine Kombouare.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-12-05 12:04:38 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Rafa Benitez's agent Manuel Garcia Quilon has dismissed growing speculation linking the former Liverpool manager with Paris Saint Germain.
Al Jazeera announced yesterday that that Benitez was set to take over, but Quilon swiftly issued the following denial:
"Rafael Benitez is in Liverpool tonight having dinner with his family.

According to Al-Jazeera, Paris Saint-Germain have lined up former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez as the replacement for coach Antoine Kombouare. Benitez has been without a club since being fired by Inter Milan almost a year ago.

The TV news channel reported that after lengthy discussions between board members at the Parc des Princes over the weekend, they have opted to cancel Kombouare's contract.

Lucas out for the rest of the season

LUCAS LEIVA won't be playing again this season for Liverpool after the club announced he had sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury would now need an operation. When the Brazilian midfielder was stretchered off 20 minutes from the end of the Carling Cup quarter-final against Chelsea it was feared afterwards that his lay-off would be lengthy.

• Kop That: Police quiz race-row Terry under caution http://t.co/1W8A23Gw 23:09:50, 2011-11-28
• Kop That: Andre Villas-Boas is up for the Cup http://t.co/x5cdfVqg 22:55:18, 2011-11-28
• Kop That: Liverpool are the League Cup kings http://t.co/q7cfwHDs 22:55:14, 2011-11-28
• Kop That: Shearer: Gary was coming to stay at mine next week http://t.

What are the odds Rafael Benitez is the next Sunderland manager? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day

Usually by this time of the year, you can bet that all the leaves have fallen along with at least one Premier League manager. But we are fast approaching December with the 20 managers who were at the helm on day one in August still in control.

Inter Milan midfielder Philippe Coutinho insists he would be happy to stay at Inter Milan, despite transfer speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool.
Reports in the British media claims Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is a keen admirer of the 19-year-old, with the club holding a long-standing interest in the player from Rafael Benitez's reign at Anfield.

Meet some heroes: Cally on Bold Street, Pepe at Liverpool One

Liverpool legend Ian Callaghan played for Liverpool 857 times, scoring 68 times. Current Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina has played 324 times for the Reds. This week the duo will be signing books at two separate events a quarter of a mile apart on the same evening.

Liverpool midfield stalwart Lucas Leiva has admitted that he has been watching Xabi Alonso closely, in order to improve his own game.
The Brazilian initially found life difficult after his move to Anfield, sparking displeasure in The Kop over his performances, and looked to Alonso in a bid to turn his career around.

Rafa and the gaffers

Rafael Benitez told Soccer AM about his run-ins with some of the Premier League's bigger personalities.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2011-11-12 15:54:52 from: Sky Sports

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

It is being reported this morning that the Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is aiming to raid Liverpool in January because he is desperate for another right back, and has been impressed with Glen Johnson since his return to the Liverpool squad and sees him as the perfect competition for Alvaro Arbeloa.

Following Rafael Benitez's bizarre rant about Sir Alex Ferguson in January 2009, our fans got to sing "he's cracking up, he's cracking up, he's cracking, Rafa's cracking up!" from the stands every week. The chant spread to the stands of whoever Liverpool's opponents were, with everyone making fun of the Spaniard who had seemingly lost the plot.

When Rafael Benitez signed Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva back in 2007, much was expected of the youngster, who made his international debut the year before whilst with Gremio.
A £5 million price-tag added further to the pressure, and whilst much higher figures are now spent on young players (think £16 million for Jordan Henderson), the fee suggested big things were to come.

The football was nothing to write home about in 2008-2009 but in terms of excitement and nerves, it was one of the best seasons for years. As usual, we were fighting it out for the title, but this time it was against our hated rivals, Liverpool.

United were a few matches behind everyone else at the turn of the year after taking time out to compete in and win the FIFA World Club Cup.

The football was nothing to write home about in 2008-2009 but in terms of excitement and nerves, it was one of the best seasons for years. As usual, we were fighting it out for the title, but this time it was against our hated rivals, Liverpool.

United were a few matches behind everyone else at the turn of the year after taking time out to compete in and win the FIFA World Club Cup.

Rafael Benitez the former Liverpool and Inter Milan coach believes that Manchester United have been successful under Sir Alex Ferguson's reign due to the club's massive wealth.

It isn't uncommon to hear such statement especially from rivals who cannot accept the success of their competitors.

By CALEB SONNELAND

Just under two months after shocking the soccer world and signing for Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, Samuel Eto'o is being linked with a return to Inter Milan — on loan.

Eto'o left the Italian giants in late August, but when the Russian Premier League season takes a break in January and February, meaning Eto'o could potentially return to Inter for a Serie A as well as Champions League fixtures.

It was a bright March morning two years ago when Liverpool fans were rising and preparing for the massive game against Manchester United. The trip to Old Trafford, the pub or even to the armchair is sometimes a nervy experience before games like this but the excitement and adrenaline always prevail.

It was a bright March morning two years ago when Liverpool fans were rising and preparing for the massive game against Manchester United. The trip to Old Trafford, the pub or even to the armchair is sometimes a nervy experience before games like this but the excitement and adrenaline always prevail.

Games Gone By: Manchester United 1 Liverpool 4

It was a bright March morning two years ago when Liverpool fans were rising and preparing for the massive game against Manchester United. The trip to Old Trafford, the pub or even to the armchair is sometimes a nervy experience before games like this but the excitement and adrenaline always prevail.

Pepe Reina feared Liverpool would have been relegated under Rafael Benitez as players had lost faith in him

The goalkeeper feels the club made the right decision to axe his compatriot in 2010 after a disappointing season, saying team was "nowhere near" where they should have been at

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-10-11 08:35:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images (Bleacher Report) An official poll on Liverpool FC's website has Stewart Downing as the fans top choice for best new signing so far. The former Aston Villa man has been impressive in his opening four games for the Reds.
His play on the wings has shown just how much the Reds needed a genuine wide attacking in recent seasons as they have seen their play be much more open than the narrow play attacking style seen in the later days of Rafael Benitez.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images (Bleacher Report) Rory Delap has been a thorn in the side of multiple EPL clubs over the past seasons. It is well documented how much Arsene Wenger despises the player's long throw ability.
However, Liverpool have the fortunate advantage of making a trip to the Britannia Stadium this weekend without having to come up against the Potters' not-so-secret weapon.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images (Bleacher Report) Recent Liverpool turned Bolton Wanderer striker David N'Gog has thrown his former club a thank you saying that his days at the club made him stronger.
The Rafael Benitez signing was a prime candidate to take up the front man spot under his former boss, but he was seen as surplus to Kenny Dalglish and the clubs new owners.

Julian Finney/Getty Images (Bleacher Report) The return of Craig Bellamy to Liverpool once again has the selection issue for Kenny Dalglish continuing to grow ever more complex.
However, the Reds needed another player that could be used in both an attacking or wide role with only Stewart Downing and their single designated out and out winger.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images(Bleacher Report) Today saw Luis Suarez's international teammate, Diego Forlan, put pen to paper on a two-year deal with Inter Milan. His move from Atletico Madrid puts him in position to try and fill the boots of Russia-bound Samuel Eto'o, who left the club just last week for Anzhi Makhachkala.

Stanley Chou/Getty Images(Bleacher Report) Behind all the current Craig Bellamy and Sebastian Coates transfer news for the Reds is the continuing possibility of young French striker David N'Gog and his proposed move to Bolton Wanderers.
N'Gog is a left over prodigy of the Rafael Benitez era and he has so far totaled 94 appearances for the club scoring 19 goals for the Reds.

Michael Steele/Getty Images(Bleacher Report) News and speculation regarding a possible Liverpool return for Manchester City outcast Craig Bellamy has been picking up more and more steam in the last week.
Bellamy played one season on Merseyside for Rafael Benitez during the 2006-07 campaign when he made 41 appearances scoring nine goals for the Reds before parting ways in July 2010 to West Ham United for a fee of £7.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images(Bleacher Report) He was believed to be the Blues future, the next legend to lift the Barclay's Premier League Trophy at Stamford Bridge and be the talisman to take over the throne of Didier Drogba as the spearhead of the Chelsea Attack.
However, £50 million plus 21 appearances and only one goal later the once prolific Liverpool goal machine is on the edge of stagnation in London.

Kick of the water bottle show Suarez is a winner

Luis Suarez frustration after being substituted with ten minutes to go against Wolves on Saturday is just a sign of his winning mentality. Body Language. A term often used to backup theories of a player's discontent.