ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:RAFAEL BENITEZ has denied the removal of Rick Parry was a pre-condition of his new contract with Liverpool, or that a resolution to the saga is closer as a result of the chief executive's departure.

A week of speculation over the manager’s future ended yesterday with the announcement that the club’s chief executive, with whom Benitez has a strained relationship, will instead be leaving in the summer.

Parry’s authority over transfers has been a source of irritation to the Spaniard and a situation he has sought to rectify during four months of negotiations. Liverpool’s manager is adamant his adversary’s exit does not amount to a personal victory, however.

“I don’t see why people say I won,” said Benitez. “The owners made the decision, and if they change the CEO someone else will be there. We want the best for the club and that is working together to do the right things. Now we are talking about the contract and I don’t want to talk about this. This won’t have a bearing on whether I sign or not.

“This (Parry going) was not one of the issues. I was talking about football and football issues when we were talking about my contract. I have never said I won’t sign a contract if Rick Parry stays. I am surprised if people are saying it because I didn’t say that.”

Benitez insists his contract situation is close to being resolved, although that remains dependent on the co-owners meeting his outstanding demands. “We will have conversations in the next days with advisers of the owners and see how we progress,” said Benitez. “We are very close, but again I would say my contract is not the main thing now. It is keeping the team in a very good position.”

Ian Ayre, the Liverpool commercial director, is among the candidates to replace Parry, although the club will advertise externally.

GuardianService