Bayern target Benitez reaffirms commitment to Liverpool

17th November 2007

Manager Rafa Benitez has reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool amid reports he has been sounded out by Bayern Munich about replacing under-pressure Ottmar Hitzfeld as manager.
The Spaniard has been made the No1 target for the German giants after it became clear that, despite topping the Bundesliga, Hitzfeld was unlikely to be offered a new contract, following growing tension behind the scenes.
But Benitez told CNN International's 'World Sport' he was committed to working with the club's American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, and revealed his future plans.
"When we started talking about the future, we were very clear, we needed to have a plan," he said.
"We have this plan and we are progressing. The situation is positive in terms of things we wanted to do and what we are doing.
"When I signed the team wasn't winning much. They said to me try to win trophies in the future.
"To play seven finals and win four trophies I think is not bad in three years. So we need to see what happens this year, but we have confidence we can do it.
"We know that we are a top side, we play against a lot of teams that have power, money, and experience.
"Our vision is to be successful, have a new stadium, and trying to improve a little bit the structure of the club. We are going in the right direction."