Rafael Benitez has confirmed publicly for the first time that he has turned down a massive offer to manage Real Madrid.
And sources close to the Liverpool boss insist that the Spanish giants wanted Benitez before they turned their attention to Jose Mourinho.
As the Anfield chief prepared his side for tomorrow's home Premiership game with Middlesbrough, it has become clear he rejected a huge offer from Madrid which could have virtually doubled his Anfield contract.
It is intriguing that the Benitez camp are happy to let it be known who was top of Madrid's wish list the week before their Champions League semi-final first leg against Mourinho's Chelsea.
Madrid-born Benitez and chief executive Rick Parry have made no secret of the fact that the Anfield boss rejected an approach from Real last summer.
Now it has been confirmed that the club Benitez played for, coached the youngsters of and was assistant manager at, came back with another deal in the last few weeks.
Benitez has previously been reluctant to be too specific about what has been going on behind the scenes.
But he has now said: "I said no to Real when they offered me more money than I get here, even though there maybe were greater expectations.
"Madrid may be my town, but I am happy here and pleased with everything. We want to stay because of the new ideas and the new owners are very exciting.
"It is so positive for the future. And I could not ignore the noise and support I received from the supporters last week against Eindhoven, it was tremendous and moving. I repeat, I am very happy here.
"It was not a difficult decision. I have an objective here, I explained that when I spoke to the new owners and they told me they would be supportive.
"It is clear that Madrid was an opportunity but I said 'no' - because I have a lot of confidence in the future here and I believe we can win more trophies and there are a lot of positive things in the future.
"My family are happy, I am happy and we feel the future of the club will be brilliant."
It was suggested by new joint-owner Tom Hicks that Benitez turned his back on Madrid because his wife told him to - but Benitez maintains the decision was his own.
He continued: "I do not like to talk about my family, but they are really happy here at Liverpool and I am prepared to have my daughter with a Scouse accent, even though it is sometimes a problem for me!
"I want to make it clear that I said no to a good offer. That is because we are happy, it is not a question of money.