Benitez rejects new Liverpool deal

LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has rejected the terms of a new contract offer with the Premiership leaders, the Liverpool Echo reported on Friday.

Benitez explained he wanted a new deal to give him more control over football matters instead of having to answer to a club chief executive.

The Echo said that Benitez, stressing money was not the issue, had informed American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

"The owners feel that the manager's decisions need to be subject to the chief executive. But I know that I am subject to results and to our fans and they are the best judges I will ever have," Benitez said.

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