LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool says manager Rafa Benitez is leaving the club after six years in charge.
The club issued a statement Thursday saying Benitez was leaving “by mutual consent.”
The announcement came after the Spaniard and his agent had talks with the club on a compensation deal worth a reported $4.4 million for him to depart immediately.
Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton said a poor team performance this season meant Benitez had to go. The team did not qualify for the Champions League, finishing seventh in the English Premier League.
