by kopper » Sun Feb 22, 2004 7:42 am
This information was obtained from a guy who claims to be close friends with one of the high ranking staff of LFC...Like I said rumour, not sure if its true but alot sound ligit'..
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Please read on.
1: Houllier is leaving at the end of the season, without question. It has already been decided by the club after he offered his resignation in October, it was refused point blank and Parry begged him to reconsider which he did and decided to remain to the end of the season.The board DO NOT want him to leave but accept that he feels it is time to move on.
2: The board HAVE contacted Martin O'Neill, albeit discreetly. They have also approached Celtic to talk to him at the end of the season which Celtic have refused.
3: If they dont get permission and nothing can be sorted out, the next man on the list is Steve McLaren. He is seen as another man who can take us forward. My friend in question absolutely raves about him and says that he is the most innovative and forward thinking coach at the top level of the game bar none.
4:Houllier was desperate to sign Alan Smith in the transfer window. He was told that he had to sell first. Heskey was offered to Middlesbrough for 3.5 mill which was agreed but Emile refused to talk to them as he doesnt want to leave. I dont know how much we were thinking of offering for Smith.He also tried to loan Joe Cole but was told that Chelsea needed him for cover and it was a no no.
5:The Cisse deal is apparently still NOT complete.There is disagreement over the size of the minimum fee release clause in the contract which Cisse & his agent are insisting on
6: Michael Owen has agreed to a one year extension and he did some time ago. The club wanted a long term deal but he has promised to review it again further down the line based on our success or lack of it in the coming year.He agreed to this apparently some time ago but nothing has been finalised yet. Judging by some newspapers i have read today, some of you may already know this so it may be old news.
7: Finally, on international weeks last year on 3 separate occasion, 2 Manc players who shall remain nameless but are defenders, tried to tap Owen up on behalf of Ferguson who was aware that his contract was running down. Owen said to tell Ferguson that he would never sign for another english club, and if he signed for the mancs he's never be able to leave his house again!!!!!
Dont nail me to the wall here lads, I'm only the messenger, but this is from an extremely good source who knows and plays with on occasions the top players from our club. As I said ive known the bloke all my life and he often gives me info, but not much regarding our club until now and I just had to pass it on to the boys in here, with permission of course
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Interviewer: 'Would it be fair to describe you as a volatile player?'
David Beckham: 'Well, I can play in the centre on the right and occasionally on the left side.' (Man U)