Liverpool FC Forum

[lakes10]

I feel sorry for Rafa, i know i have gave him some but he dont need all the press stuff, i just think " how would i feel if this was me and my job"

[lakes10]

sky news

bbc

[ivor_the_injun]

bbc news right now have a report on this and its also a news flash on the bbc sports website, so it looks like its true that they did have talks.
the BBC are saying that this will PUSH RAFA OUT OF THE DOOR.

They're quoting the Echo, as will every other news outlet that runs with the story.

[lakes10]

bbc news right now have a report on this and its also a news flash on the bbc sports website, so it looks like its true that they did have talks.
the BBC are saying that this will PUSH RAFA OUT OF THE DOOR.

They're quoting the Echo, as will every other news outlet that runs with the story.

yep i have just seen that, Echo first with the truth again.

[ivor_the_injun]

FULL STORY FROM THE ECHO...

Tom Hicks: Jurgen Klinsmann 'only an insurance'
Jan 14 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

THE ECHO today reveals how Liverpool co-chairmen Tom Hicks and George Gillett met Jurgen Klinsmann to ask him to consider replacing Rafa Benitez as manager.
In an extraordinary interview, Hicks details the reasons why the duo wanted the former Germany manager to commit himself to the club in the event that Liverpool and Benitez parted company.
The meeting took place at Hicks’ second home in southern California in late November during America’s Thanksgiving vacation – the very same week when Benitez gave his now infamous “I’m going to concentrate on coaching and training my players” press conference at Melwood.
Klinsmann was joined by his wife Debbie at the meeting and was told he would be the ideal man to take Liverpool forward if Benitez either left the club or was dismissed.
Hicks today insisted that the offer made to Klinsmann – who was named Bayern Munich's new manager at the end of last week – was no more than an “insurance policy” and that Benitez now has his full support.
But his admission that talks reached such an advanced stage is unlikely to dampen speculation that the Spaniard is on borrowed time at Anfield.
The Dallas-based multi-millionaire admits that doubts about Liverpool progressing in the Champions League following their defeat by Besiktas coupled with “communication problems” with Benitez were the reasons why he thought the club needed a contingency plan in case the manager was either dismissed or left of his own accord.
Klinsmann, who guided Germany to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2006 but who has never managed at club level, was that contingency plan.
Hicks told the ECHO: “In November, when it appeared we were in danger of not advancing in the Champions League, weren’t playing well in our Premier League matches, and Rafa and we were having communication issues over the January transfer window, George and I met with Jurgen Klinsmann to learn as much as we could about English and European football.
“He is a very impressive man. We attempted to negotiate an option, as an insurance policy, to have him become our manager in the event Rafa decided to leave our club for Real Madrid or other clubs that were rumoured in the UK press, or in case our communication spiralled out of control for some reason.”
It was only when Hicks and Gillett sat down with Benitez for clear the air talks at Anfield following the defeat to Man United on December 16 that the club's owners decided not to take their interest in Klinsmann any further.
And Hicks insists Benitez now has the full support of both himself and Gillett.
He said: “After George and I had our long and productive meeting with Rafa following the Man United match, we put all of our issues behind us and received Rafa's commitment that he wanted to stay with Liverpool.
“We never reached agreement on an option with Jurgen, and we are both pleased for him that he has a great opportunity to return to Germany and coach a great club team.
“Rafa has both of our support, and our communication has greatly improved.
“Foster, Rick Parry and Rafa now have regular meetings at Melwood on Monday mornings.
“The two families always try to have a telephonic meeting on Monday afternoons, so we all are on the same page. We all want to win more games.”
Klinsmann is set to take up his new post at Bayern Munich on July 1 but had Liverpool failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League or had Benitez not ironed out his differences with his bosses, the German could easily have replaced him as Reds manager.

[lakes10]

funny that the bbc and sky have not put the rest of the stuff in.

"And Hicks insists Benitez now has the full support of both himself and Gillett.

He said: “After George and I had our long and productive meeting with Rafa following the Man United match, we put all of our issues behind us and received Rafa's commitment that he wanted to stay with Liverpool





i dont think it will help Rafa unless they told him the were going to the press with this to sort it out once and for all.

[tommycockles]

Even if they're trying to get Rafa out so the don't have to pay him anything- Rafa could easily use this to sue them and do them for unfair dismissal- they're a disgrace!

I think "Or in case our communication spiraled out of control for some reason" is the reality here- Hicks is forcing Rafa's hand and hoping he reacts!

[laza]

What a friggin disgrace. 
When the hell did we become Newcastle United

I guess this is price you pay for wanting easy fast cash

[Red Dotty]

Hicks told the ECHO: “In November, when it appeared we were in danger of not advancing in the Champions League, weren’t playing well in our Premier League matches, and Rafa and we were having communication issues over the January transfer window, George and I met with Jurgen Klinsmann to learn as much as we could about English and European football.

Does this mean that when ever a manager we have has a blip then we start consulting with managers that know feck all about English and european football

These are sad times indeed

[lakes10]

Even if they're trying to get Rafa out so the don't have to pay him anything- Rafa could easily use this to sue them and do them for unfair dismissal- they're a disgrace!

I think "Or in case our communication spiraled out of control for some reason" is the reality here- Hicks is forcing Rafa's hand and hoping he reacts!

yep very true, its a slap in the face for him. a cover up in case Rafa take the "unfair dismissal" road

[ivor_the_injun]

Bit more, albeit just cobbled from older news...

Jurgen Klinsmann talks rock Rafa Benitez
Jan 14 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo
RAFA Benitez was today facing up the reality that Jurgen Klinsmann was being lined up to replace him as Liverpool manager.
Weeks of speculation about Benitez’s future culminated today when Tom Hicks confirmed to the ECHO that he and co-owner George Gillett held secret talks with the German.
Benitez is now aware of the revelations but does not wish to comment, preferring to keep a dignified silence as speculation mounts about his future.
Klinsmann was appointed Bayern Munich’s new manager on Friday but Liverpool’s owners’ interest in him dates back to the autumn when Hicks and Gillett were unhappy at both the performance of the team and their relationship with Benitez.
Today’s revelations are unlikely to improve that relationship, although Hicks does insist Benitez has the support of both himself and Gillett.
With Klinsmann now out of the frame, the spotlight this weekend turned on Jose Mourinho with some reports suggesting the former Chelsea boss was ready to take over if Liverpool parted company with Benitez.
But, in an angry outburst, Mourinho’s representative Eladio Parames blasted the reports, insisting they were not fuelled by the Portuguese.
“These are abhorrent and heinous ideas,” he said.
“Some media have consistently linked Jose Mourinho’s name with various clubs without, as they are ethically bound to do, trying to determine the truth of these reports.”
The statement insisted that neither Mourinho nor his agent Jorge Mendes had had contact with any club regarding a possible return to management for the self-titled “Special One”.
And Parames slammed sections of the media, accusing them of taking advantage of Benitez’s current problems at Liverpool.
He added: “It is unacceptable that the unscrupulous press uses the name of Mourinho when they try to create or profit from current controversial situations in different teams as has happened recently.”
Meanwhile, Benitez was today preparing his team for tomorrow night’s FA Cup 3rd round replay against Luton Town at Anfield.

[maguskwt]

absolutely disgraceful...

I've already heard some press reports about Klinsmann saying he has been approached by liverpool... now this confirms it...

it's no surprise we looked like a team in turmoil on the pitch... because we ARE a team in turmoil...

the yanks just us up real good without lubrication and all...

but there's always an equal and opposite reaction to an action... they've managed to alienate themselves even against fans who wanted rafa to go... now face the consequences...

[Roger Red Hat]

i can feel a 'we love rafa' demonstration coming on tomorrow night before the Luton match... show our feelings.

[lakes10]

and if you have Radio five live on you would think Rafa has left already, they have a reporter there asking who is going to be the next manager.

i dont think it will be long before the reporter gets hit lol

[Ciggy]

Its on the Offal now cant believe it, they have said feck all for months now they have it on our official site.

I am feckin livid