Liverpool FC Forum

by **Woollyback** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 10:39 am

Rick Parry has been speaking to BBC Sport, here's the interview:

By Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Maybe there will be an offer in the summer, maybe there won't

Parry on Chelsea's interest in Steven Gerrard
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has revealed they would turn down a £50m bid for Steven Gerrard.

But Parry, speaking exclusively to BBC Sport, also admits Gerrard, who has been constantly linked with Chelsea, will have the final say on his future.

He told BBC Five Live: "Steve is above money. He is the future of Liverpool.

"It doesn't matter if it's £30m, £40m or £50m, we will not accept offers. But we are also realistic enough to know we can't keep Steven against his will."

On the subject of Liverpool's finances, Parry also revealed the club is ready to explore the possibility of a sponsorship deal for its proposed new stadium.

Hansen's Liverpool warning

And responding to criticism from BBC Sport pundit and former Liverpool stalwart Alan Hansen, he insisted talks on new investment are ongoing, but added the door has not closed on shareholder and lifelong fan Steve Morgan.

Parry joined Liverpool as chief executive in July 1998 from a similar role at the Premier League.

'Real asked for option'

There have been several highs and lows during his time in charge at Anfield - and he had a busy summer, overseeing the arrival of new manager Rafael Benitez and managing to hold on to Steven Gerrard.

On the subject of Liverpool's captain and prize asset, Parry revealed Real Madrid did ask for an option on the England midfield man during negotiations for striker Fernando Morientes.

But when asked if Gerrard would be a Liverpool player on the first day of next season, Parry said: "I sincerely hope he will be. Steven knows my views. He knows Rafa's views.

"We have re-affirmed recently to Steven that we are trying to build a team around him. We crave success as much as he does. We know he's ambitious and nobody can argue with that.

The Arsenal stadium deal is the sort of deal that causes you to draw breath and say 'wow - that's interesting'

Rick Parry on the options for Liverpool's proposed new stadium

"I think Steven would dearly love to win things with Liverpool more than he'd like to do anything else.

"We all want to see progress by next season. He's not alone in that. There are a lot of other players who feel the same, so we all have a common aim."

It is expected Chelsea will test Liverpool with a £30m-plus bid in the summer - but Parry claims he will be in no mood to listen.

"There have been a lot of open secrets about Steven, most of which have been complete myths. It is suggested we had a deal tied up last summer. We never had an offer last summer," Parry explained.

"We had told Chelsea that as far as we were concerned he was not for sale and we didn't want to sell him. In reality it didn't go beyond that.

"Maybe there will be an offer in the summer. Maybe there won't.

It's good to see him reiterating that the board have no intention of selling Gerrard

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"Our position is we want Steven to stay, but we are also realistic enough and have enough respect for Steven - and he has enough respect for us - to know that it is his decision that will be crucial.

"You are not going to keep a player like Steven against his will. That just doesn't work, but any idea we are going to accept offers for Steven and then tell him 'by the way we've decided to sell you' is not on the agenda. You can forget that."

Parry is currently in the process of finalising funding for Liverpool's new stadium in Stanley Park, which is set to open in 2007.

And he confessed Arsenal's £100m deal with Emirates to sponsor their new ground - complete with naming rights - has given the Anfield club serious food for thought.

He said: "I have to say historically it is something I have been against, and I have been on record as saying that, but I think the size of the Arsenal deal is a real eye-opener.

Liverpool hope to move away from Anfield by 2007

"I would say in the past deals have been done frankly far too cheaply and it just hasn't even been worth contemplating.

"But the Arsenal deal is the sort of deal that causes you to draw breath and say 'wow - that's interesting.'

"My personal point of view is that I would find it a hell of a lot more palatable than a shared stadium."

Some Liverpool fans would find such a move highly controversial, but Parry countered: "I recognise it would be an emotive issue for many supporters, but you look at the amount of money available and it could go into the team.

"If it was the right partner how strong an issue is it? Time will tell.

"I think the stadium will always be Anfield, not least because of where it is, but do we need to investigate the possibilities of sponsorship? I think it would be remiss not to.

"That's not to say we have made a decision that we will go down that road, but I think it is clearly something we have to explore."

Steve has never been used as a stalking horse. There's no need, and that is not the way we do business

Parry on Liverpool's negotiations with business tycoon Steve Morgan

On the subject of possible new investment, Parry revealed Liverpool are still in negotiations with a mystery investor, with rumours of interest from the Middle East.

That prompted the withdrawal of tycoon Steve Morgan, who got frustrated by failed bids and what he claimed was indecision by the board.

He also accused Liverpool of using him as "a stalking horse" to attract other bids, but Parry explained: "Steve has never been used as a stalking horse. There's no need, and that is not the way we do business.

"We had discussions with Steve over the course of 2004. I think we came close to concluding a deal in the summer but it didn't happen.

"Quite genuinely, the new interest did appear relatively late in the day just prior to the AGM in December, and as I have said it was of such potential magnitude, and that potential is so exciting, we felt we had to evaluate it. We are still evaluating it.

"Steve's interest was taken very much on its own merits. His enthusiasm for the club is there for all to see and who knows what the next few months will hold?

"The door isn't closed on anything. We had a perfectly sensible dialogue with Steve last year.

"We have a common interest in making Liverpool successful. That's a dream we all share, so as far as I'm concerned the door is not closed."

Interesting stuff, looks like he may be offering a palm leaf to Steve Morgan and I wonder who the other potential investor is, is it still the Kraft chese one?

The stadium thing's interesting, too - do we sell some of our soul to get 60,000 home gates or do we stay at Anfield. Personally I think we need to move with the times and as long as any sponsor has very deep pockets then hey can call it what they want as long as Anfield is incorporated in it somewhere

Thought-provoking stuff from Mr Parry....

by **112-1077774096** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 10:40 am

already posted this

by **zarababe** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 2:41 pm

.. nice to hear this.. also improtant the club considers sponsorship of the new stadium.. in order to compete with the other big boys.. Chelsea are the powerhouse at the mo.. but we have the history and worldwide support .. well ahead of Chelski.. it's vital the right deals are done now.. to secure the clubs future status and continued worldwide appeal...

by **stmichael** » Mon Feb 07, 2005 2:42 pm

From bbc website

Rick Parry's in-tray reflects his status as the man charged with one of football's biggest challenges.

Chief executive Parry is the man at the helm as Liverpool reach the most crucial point in their recent history.

Parry has to deliver a new 60,000-seat stadium in Stanley Park by 2007 amid claims of costs spiralling above £120m.

He is also searching for an investment package of a size and stature that will restore Liverpool to their place at European football's top table.

But it is a challenge that appears to sit easily with Parry, who has forged a reputation as one of football's most respected administrators since his days at the fledgling Premier League.

Brutal honesty

Liverpool have not won the championship since 1990, a fact that causes deep discomfort inside Anfield as they attempt to muscle in on the top three of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Throw in the small matter of warding off every top club in world football as they eye captain Steven Gerrard, and you can see Parry is a man with a lot on his plate.

But in the comfort of a conference room deep inside Liverpool's heartbeat - The Kop end - Parry spoke to us with brutal honesty about the crucial months ahead.

He only dodged one question - when asked to reveal the name of the mystery investor currently courting Liverpool, a polite smile deflected the inquiry.

But to his credit, he met everything else head on in measured tones that underscore the belief that Liverpool still mean business.

It's good to see him reiterating that the board have no

By business he means becoming title challengers again, and locking the pieces together that will help return the trophy to Liverpool is Parry's mission.

Parry has already successfully put one of those planks in place in the form of new manager Rafael Benitez.

And his enthusiasm for the Spaniard's personality and methods is an indication of his clear feeling that he has struck gold.

Benitez's early work has given Parry renewed optimism about the years ahead.

But it remains a massive task at a club with a unique history and expectations.

This will not come as news to Parry, a lifelong Liverpool supporter, but his quiet determination suggests he is no mood to be found wanting...

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Parry speaks - On gerrard, investment & new stadium

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