[redtone is welsh]

It says much for the current malaise around Liverpool Football Club that the news yesterday evening that Rafa Benitez seemed set to depart (or be kicked) out of the club came as such a shock. It is surprising for both the fact he lasted so long but also that he's going at all.

First things first though - it would be remiss of any Liverpool fan not to thank Rafa. There will be some who may be begrudging in doing so, such is their want. However nobody who witnessed Istanbul and Liverpool's fifth European Cup success (and first in the Champions League era) can be in any doubt of the gratitude they owe the man. For all the 'we are Liverpool', it had been too long since the club had been anywhere near winning a major honour. Benitez changed that and restored credibility on the European stage. It is not his only achievement - the merits of which will no doubt cause debate, as has been the case throughout his reign. The arrival of truely world class players, most notably Fernando Torres has moved the club on significantly. The FA Cup success and the return to a Champions League final are also notable highlights. There was also last years title challenge, which whilst ultimately failed, was the best the club had seen for years and whilst it's hard to remember now, gave Liverpool fans the kind of hope they'd not enjoyed for too long.

So to the conflicting surprise. The past season needs little review, the failings have been played out very publicly. Simply, Liverpool lost too many games, conceding too many late goals in crucial games and often looking directionless. There have been mitigating circumstances - the disasterous run of injuries and some freak misfortune (notably the goal against Sunderland which will no doubt come to be the moment people remember of the year). The arguement has been made numerous times - at any other club, Benitez would have walked or been moved on long before now.

Yet, Liverpool isn't any other club. Not least for the culture of supporting the manager believing that you have to take the long term view. There are some who believe Benitez was worth another season if backed properly without the politics (and events mentioned above) that have arguably hindered him over the years. Those politics are the other reason this has come as a surprise because until recently it seemed Benitez's position was untouchable. The owners in their attempts to gain favour offered Benitez a bullet proof contract that they financially could not afford to buy out. There is also the fact that it seems Benitez actually wanted to remain in post if he were given a transfer budget. Now it may be that the owners have deemed Benitez the wrong man to spend their money and so have withdrawn the budget from his use - however it may just simply mean there wasn't a budget in the first place.

The removal of a manager normally means a new start, yet Benitez's departure also exposes a fear for many Liverpool fans. That being the current state of limbo. The club is painfully in debt and publicly up for sale. Benitez's departure leaves the club without a helmsman at possibly the most crucial stage of the season - during the summer transfer window. There is no doubt in the mind of any Liverpool supporter that the current squad is in need of investment. There is now not only the fear of there being no transfer budget but also that if there is, there isn't anyone to guide it's spending. It may even be the case that Benitez's departure will be used as an excuse to spend any money - "The money was there but we wanted to back our new manager and he didn't arrive before the transfer window - it's OK, we'll spend it in January". Too late.

None of this is of concern to Benitez anymore (at least professionally) as the club have announced his departure. Whilst it may not be the job he wants, it seems increasingly likely he'll take up post at Inter Milan. If that is the case, we should all wish him well. In the midst of all that has happened in the past year it seems to have been forgotten that Benitez is a good man. He has been prone to speaking out, though more often than not it seems he's done so to try and help advance the club, rather than himself. It seems his biggest error was taking on more than he could handle and has ultimately lost. However for the victories along the way, thanks.