THE desk of Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been moved into the car park as a ‘precautionary measure’, the club confirmed last night.
Co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillet said the move was ‘standard business practice’ in the US.
Hicks added: “We’re due to move into the new stadium in 2011 and we need to start shifting our stuff sooner rather than later. Putting all Rafa’s gear into some cardboard boxes in the car park gives us a head start.”
The manager’s name has also been scrubbed from his parking bay and his name plate removed from his office door in what Hicks called ‘standard health and safety procedure’.
Meanwhile, Benitez has bought himself a small gas stove and a kettle, a fold out chair and a camping table so that he can continue to run the team from the car park.
He is currently sheltering under a golf umbrella held by one of his backroom staff, although he expects to take delivery of a £229 ‘Canberra’ 12 person three-room tent from Argos later this week.
Benitez said: “In Spain I ran Valencia from the beach with just a windbreak and a small changing towel. And this way I can make sure no-one nicks my alloys.”
