Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has apparently been asked to leave the club, according to a number of reports emanating from England.
The Sun, The Daily Mail and the Mirror all reported that the 50-year old coach has been told to walk with immediate effect, with the details of a compensation package being worked out before an announcement is made.
Some reports claimed the decision was made after the club board came to the conclusion that he had lost the dressing room, with players like Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Jamie Carragher saying they could leave the club if he stayed.
Benitez experienced a dismal 2009/10 season as his team finished only seventh in the Barclays Premier League and suffered early exits from the Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup.
Apparently, the Liverpool hierarchy have made Benitez an offer to walk away from the club, with a payoff in the range of £3 million possibly involved.
Benitez's agent refused to discuss reports the Spaniard is set to leave Liverpool, but it is certainly looking increasingly likely.
Agent Manuel Garcia Quilon told Press Association Sport: "We don't know anything more than what's being said."
"We're not saying anything."
Benitez, 50, signed a five-year contract in March 2009.
He joined Liverpool in 2004 after a successful spell with Valencia and led the club to Champions League victory in his first season, however the Premier League title has been elusive and Benitez's team were unable to build on a second-placed finish in the 2008/09 season.
The former Valencia manager has recently been linked with the vacancy at Inter Milan, following Jose Mourinho's move to Real Madrid.
Liverpool refused to comment on the reports that Benitez is nearing the end of his spell at Anfield, after six years at the helm.
Co-owner Tom Hicks recently said Benitez would have a "substantial" transfer budget this summer despite he and George Gillett trying to sell the club, a process which could take 18 months.
It has since been reported that the funds available to Benitez could be as little as £5million, before selling players.
Benitez had suggested he would require in excess of £50million to put the club back in contention for the Champions League places, never mind the Premier League title.
Speaking last week, Benitez rubbished reports that he has been offered the chance to become coach of the United Arab Emirates.
He told the Liverpool Echo: "I was very surprised to read about this story (being offered the UAE coaching job) but it seems more and more as if they keep happening from somewhere.
"I am very happy here in Liverpool. I have always been happy and I want to stay here for a long time - if it is possible."
Liverpool were put up for sale in April, with an asking price of between £600million and £800million, and Hicks had claimed there is a large number of "interested buyers".
Parent company Kop Holdings were £351million in the red last summer with annual loan repayments of £40million.
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