Liverpool FC Forum

[Pedro Maradona]

how can a club be run by 2 men on a different continent? They just dont get it! i dont care what nationality they are, they are out of touch.
and my comment on invading countries for oil still stands!

[Pedro Maradona]

the americans are clowns, they should stick to what they now best, invading countries for oil.....we should never have been sold to them, they have no culture!

Go home americans we dont want you!

What hideous ignorant statements these are.

what is wrong with them?
The truth hurts or maybe you just want to support a franchise or a business...i dont and clearly these americans dont seem to fully understand what Liverpool FC is.

I'll tell you what Liverpool FC isn't.

And it isn't about shelling out millions like Chelski do and trying to buy the league.

I understand both sides but Rafa has had plenty of money to strengthen the squad and as much as I don't want him to go, I think the board are right in refusing more money and telling him to focus on improving the squad we have.

The general consensus seems to be that he doesn't want money. Here wants to sell a few players, tie up a couple of free transfers and get Mascherano's deal sorted (with money from sales). That's what Rafa's frustration is about.

you are 100 percent right neil! well said!

[The_Rock]

Rafa should just shut up....... Why does he keep throwing wood to fire ? What is he planning to get by keep going public with his comments ? Just shut up.

It doesn't matter which job you are at ..... If u keep talking back to your employers, they will get rid of you (no matter how good you are).

This may come as a suprise....but i don't really want rafa to leave. He has made too many changes here....bought lots of youngsters.... The new manager might not fancy the players rafa bought and will spend 3 seasons to get rid of them.

There aren't many managers better than rafa... i can only think of 3... If we get them to replace rafa, then its great...if not, i rather rafa stayed.

And to stay, he should keep his mouth shut. If i was the owner, i would also be pi$$ed off with rafa if he keeps undermining me...


1)
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=484943&cc=3888


Liverpool's American owners have again pointed out that they do not intend to discuss future transfer targets with manager Rafael Benitez until mid-December.

Click here
Co-owner Tom Hicks last week told Benitez to 'quit talking' and concentrate on coaching after the Spaniard publicly revealed frustrations at a lack of progress in planning for January recruitment.

Yet Benitez again alluded to his desire to make headway well in advance of the opening of the transfer window after Saturday's victory at Newcastle and suggested Hicks and partner George Gillett did not understand the football transfer market.

Hicks and Gillett, however, seem equally defiant and say they will not be discussing future funding until they next travel to Liverpool for the Premier League clash with Manchester United on December 16.

A statement posted on the club's official website, www.liverpoolfc.tv, on Sunday evening read: 'Despite speculation in today's newspapers, there is nothing new to say.

'We had a good win yesterday and have got some very important games coming up starting with Porto on Wednesday, followed by Bolton and Reading, before Marseille and Manchester United in a few weeks.

'Both of us, together with chief executive Rick Parry, plan to meet with Rafa when we come over mid December to make decisions on the team's requirements at that time.'

Reports have claimed that Benitez's relationship with Hicks and Gillett has broken down and that he could soon be set to leave Anfield.

Benitez called on the pair to back him with funding in the summer and they responded, allowing the club to recruit the likes of Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun at a combined cost of around £45million.

Former Valencia boss Benitez has been in charge at Anfield since 2004 and has twice guided the club to the Champions League final, winning it in 2005. They also won the FA Cup in 2006 but the club's wait for a first title since 1990 continues.

They are currently six points behind Barclays Premier League leaders Arsenal and face a crucial Champions League group game against Porto on Wednesday, when defeat could end their hopes of reaching the last 16.

2)
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=484962&cc=3888

Lawrenson: Benitez in 'precarious position'

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson believes current manager Rafael Benitez is in a 'precarious position' at Anfield.

Click here
The Spaniard has become embroiled in a face-off with club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett over their unwillingness to sanction transfer activity before they arrive on Merseyside for the clash with bitter rivals Manchester United on December 16.

After hinting at the row in his pre-match press conferences last week, Benitez confirmed that he was upset at the situation after Saturday's win at Newcastle when he claimed the Americans 'don't understand' the need for quick action to avoid disappointment in the January transfer window.

In response, Hicks and Gillett issued a statement last night when they reiterated their determination to stand firm.

While Lawrenson - who played more than 250 games for the Reds in the 1980s - understands both sides of the debate, he believes Benitez's position could come under threat if results over the next few weeks do not go his way.

With qualification for the lucrative knockout stages of the Champions League in jeopardy ahead of Wednesday's clash with Porto, and Liverpool only fifth in the Barclays Premier League, Lawrenson believes the owners could be swayed by what happens on the pitch.

'If they did lose to Porto, and then Manchester United come and win at Anfield like they did last season, then all of a sudden they would look at the Premier League and think with all the money they spent in the summer they're not getting a return,' he told BBC Radio Five Live.

'It's a very precarious position at the moment.'

Lawrenson does not, however, think Benitez's job is under immediate threat.

'I don't think there's a great problem, he's trying to say `look guys, you don't really understand the situation here', which is a difficult thing to say to the two owners,' he said.

'I think if they win on Wednesday it will all be well, but he's saying you're not here until the 16th of December, the Manchester United game, and he's saying it's too late, they need to get something in place. You can understand both sides of the situation.

'They've bought a club in England and they have to operate in such a way that they can get the best players.'

[Pedro Maradona]

Please read ciggys post in G + H thread, its well worth a read but the moderators have shut it down as they think it shud be in this thread (misguided in my opinion as we should be entitled to examine how gillett and hicks are approaching this issue as opposed to rafas position)
There is a lot of anger out there and I think its the beginning of the end...

[Well Red]

whatever happened to the days when talking was done on the pitch? 

[NiftyNeil]

There is a lot of anger out there and I think its the beginning of the end...

I wouldn't go that far.

[Ciggy]

RAWK has ten topics about the issue open. But fair enough if the MODS feel we only need one.

Feel better now after reading Barretts piece from the Echo.

Rafa Benitez seeks a truce with American owners
Nov 26 2007 EXCLUSIVE by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ is ready to hold out an olive branch to Liverpool's owners - but his gesture of reconciliation may have come too late to save his job.

Though sources close to Tom Hicks and George Gillett insist no decision has been made to sack Benitez, the Americans have refused to deny speculation it is only a matter of time before the manager is forced out.

Despite the pressure , Benitez is still planning for the future and remains hopeful of landing the league title he knows Liverpool.

A source close to Benitez said: “Rafa loves it at Liverpool. He loves the people of the city, he loves the fans and he loves the club. All he wants is what’s best for the fans - he gets frustrated when he feels he’s not able to do that.

“But he is happy with Tom and George owning the club and he has enjoyed working with them since he came and he has no problem working with Rick (Parry) – all he wants is to be able to continue the job that he’s started so he can continue improving the squad in a bid to deliver the title he knows Tom, George and Rick want just as badly as he does.

“The manager has got a few transfers that he wants to get done, one in January and two Bosmans in the summer but it looks like he is going to miss out on the first one now.

“That frustrated him because the first one was a centre half, a position he feels we really need back-up in. The frustration stems from the fact that communication has been so difficult with everyone being so far apart and in different time zones. But the fans should be reassured Rafa has no plans of walking away. He loves it here and his family are settled on Merseyside.

“He always describes his children as ‘Scousers’ and that makes him really proud. And the fact that the fans have backed him so much only makes him want success even more for them. Even when he guided Valencia to their first Spanish league title in 31 years their fans did not sing his name but the Liverpool fans sing it every single game.

“Rafa only wants to work for Liverpool. It wasn’t that long ago that Rafa was thanking Tom, George and Rick for the work that they had done to bring Fernando Torres to Liverpool. He is still grateful for that and hopes that there has been no lasting damage done.”

“He is hoping this situation can be resolved.In a statementHicks and Gillett said: “Despite speculation in Sunday’s newspapers, there is nothing new to say. We had a good win yesterday and we have got some very important games coming up. “Both of us, together with chief executive Rick Parry, plan to meet with Rafa when we come over mid-December to make decisions on the team’s requirements at that time.”

tonybarrett@liverpoolecho.co.uk

[Ciggy]

Also from the echo.

Most supporters simply cannot understand how the manager who delivered Liverpool’s fifth European Cup just two seasons ago and took them to the brink of another one last May can now be fighting for his managerial life, especially when there have been no real indications of malaise since then.

At St James’ Park on Saturday, the fans chanted the manager’s name time and time again.

So, as understandably affronted as they are, if Tom Hicks and George Gillett are about to load the gun that will ultimately fire Rafa Benitez, it looks like they may have to take on the Anfield crowd first.

As so many have found to their cost on a European night, that is easier said than done.

[dawson99]

it could just be an absoltue genius way to gee up the players for wednesday. i know if i was in the team id wanna show g+h exactly what havng rafa means to us

[Big Niall]

If they do want to get rid of him, will they be hoping we get knocked out of CL and then fire him as a result of not meeting expectations?

They are right to not offer more money but if RAfa is willing to sell and use that money to buy then let him do it.

[puroresu]

Also from the echo.

Most supporters simply cannot understand how the manager who delivered Liverpool’s fifth European Cup just two seasons ago and took them to the brink of another one last May can now be fighting for his managerial life, especially when there have been no real indications of malaise since then.

At St James’ Park on Saturday, the fans chanted the manager’s name time and time again.

So, as understandably affronted as they are, if Tom Hicks and George Gillett are about to load the gun that will ultimately fire Rafa Benitez, it looks like they may have to take on the Anfield crowd first.

As so many have found to their cost on a European night, that is easier said than done.

Look at what happened at chelsea.  Abromovic didnt care what the fans thought. I would be very surprised if they sacked him now but end of season it could happen.

[Ace Ventura]

Also from the echo.

Most supporters simply cannot understand how the manager who delivered Liverpool’s fifth European Cup just two seasons ago and took them to the brink of another one last May can now be fighting for his managerial life, especially when there have been no real indications of malaise since then.

At St James’ Park on Saturday, the fans chanted the manager’s name time and time again.

So, as understandably affronted as they are, if Tom Hicks and George Gillett are about to load the gun that will ultimately fire Rafa Benitez, it looks like they may have to take on the Anfield crowd first.

As so many have found to their cost on a European night, that is easier said than done.

Look at what happened at chelsea.  Abromovic didnt care what the fans thought. I would be very surprised if they sacked him now but end of season it could happen.

I think the situation regarding our owners and Abramovich is totally different to be honest. The reason being is his wealth is far far greater and its more like a hobby to him, he hasnt been running Chelsea as a business.
I know nobody wants to hear that our club is just a business to the owners but that could be the thing that saves Rafa. If the 6 million pay off is to be believed then any business man that sacks him is a brave one.
If they wanted to bring in another manager...especially a top one like Mourinho, he would want a top salary as well and would more than likely want far far more money than Rafa is asking for.
As i said in business terms it would make no sense at all.

[zarababe]

im content with rafa now as he has slowed up on his rotations and getting results,

Your content with him now ay... have u thought that the team lost form and that if nothing else - rotation keeps all players fresh and alert because it's not the same 11 week in week out that have a chance of playing - rather everyone in the squad knows they have a chance - reverse psychology to the normal rant on here and elsewhere ie - not having insentives to train and play well because your not sure you'll get a start.


Ok back to the Boss - I've said it earlier Benitez is the man for this club and is heading in the right direction.

Where is RICK PARRY in all this ?

Rather quite for my liking

[stmichael]

Where is RICK PARRY in all this ?

the guy is a fool and should have gone long ago.

[lakes10]

well i am back in now, My mate in Liverpool has gone back to work, the last thing i heard from him was that all the press were just standing around drinking tea. the police seemed to sort things out there (no more thing hitting the sky van).

is there any other members that can run down to the ground to see whats going on. Radio 5 live still seem to think Rafa is on his way out.