by ivor_the_injun » Mon Jan 14, 2008 1:08 pm
From .tv...
HICKS: WE SPOKE WITH KLINSMANN
Paul Eaton 14 January 2008
Tom Hicks today admitted the club's owners held a meeting with Jurgen Klinsmann over the possibility of becoming the next manager of Liverpool - but that Rafa Benitez can now count on the full backing of both chairmen.
Hicks and George Gillett sounded out the German about taking over in the Anfield hot-seat if Rafael Benitez left the club.
"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 explained.
"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.
"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."
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Given the incendiary nature of these revelations, I can't believe that the half-a*sed vote of confidence comes below talk of super-impressive Jurgen on our official website. Botched doesn't even begin to describe how they've managed this.