May 26, 2004
Michael Owen won't sign a new contract until he knows who will be the next manager of Liverpool.
The striker says he was left with a "sick feeling in his stomach" at the news of Gerard Houllier's departure after six years in charge of the club.
"The chairman is saying it may take a while to appoint a new manager so I will just sit tight," said Owen. "I can't put a percentage chance on me staying, but I'm not trying to strangle every last penny out of everyone."
Owen went on: "I am as loyal a person as anyone could wish to meet.
"Hopefully we can improve because we do need to, to make that step and be one of the best," added the England forward.
"I am intrigued to see who the manager is, but also the whole package.
"I would love to see improvement in the squad and I would love to see a good manager come in.
"Obviously the new stadium is being built, which is right for the club. It sounds like you are holding everyone to ransom but I am not. I just want to be playing in a top team."
ANXIOUS
Michael Owen insisted he will wait to find out the identity of the new Liverpool manager before making any final decision on whether to sign a new contract at Anfield.
Owen expressed his "sick feeling in the stomach" at the news that Gerard Houllier, the Frenchman who has coached him for the past six years, is leaving the club. He once again reassured the club that he has no intention of leaving on a free Bosman transfer at the end of his current contract next year, insisting that "something will be sorted in the summer".
However, despite his self-professed "loyalty" to Liverpool, Owen still needs to be reassured of the club's ambitions if he is to sign anything more than a one-year extension. What is now crucial is not only where Liverpool turn in appointing a successor to Gerard Houllier, but also in the investment which they plough into a squad which only took them to fourth place.
Valencia president Jaime Orti has issued a hands-off warning relating to one leading candidate, coach Rafael Benitez, who has just led the club to success in the Primera Liga and the UEFA Cup.
"Benitez has one more year left on his contract with Valencia and our intention is to extend our relationship with him even further," Orti told PA International. "He will coach Valencia next season."
Porto boss Jose Mourinho, who is also linked with Chelsea, Alan Curbishley and Gordon Strachan are nevertheless reported to be in the frame as well.
Owen, meanwhile, insists he will not seek to influence the board's decision, stressing that he had played no part in Houllier's effective dismissal. However, he revealed: "I am intrigued to see who the manager is, but also the whole package. I would love to see improvement in the squad and I would love to see a good manager come in.
"Obviously the new stadium is being built, which is right for the club. It sounds like you are holding everyone to ransom but I am not. I just want to be playing in a top team. We got to second in the league a few years ago. It obviously needs improvement because we were fourth this season and 30 points behind Arsenal.
"It's a massive gap. I do think the gap will close naturally but to close with us getting level, we need to improve. Who knows what changes the new manager will bring? The chairman is saying it may take a while to appoint a new manager so I will just sit tight. I can't put a percentage chance on me signing a new contract.
"But I am not trying to strangle every last penny out of everyone. I just want to play in the best team. I am as loyal a person as anyone could wish to meet. Hopefully we can improve because we do need to, to make that step and be one of the best."