Liverpool FC Forum

by **redmikey** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 8:15 pm

s@int wrote:I have heard that Rafa is still on his way out, win or lose against Marseille The only difference being either he goes early or in the summer.

This follows on from the other story I heard about what started the bust up. Mascherano........ When we first signed Mascherano on loan, Rafa negotiated the deal, Parry noticed that the contract was illegal and reported it to the F.A. and to H&G. H&G worried that if Parry had not sorted things out they could have been in trouble, confirmed that Parry would do ALL future negotiations.

Just before the CL Final Rafa wanted to sign a top player who was available (Eto'o?) Parry never informed H&G thinking there would be plenty of time after later. Rafa thinking it was H&G causing the delay blew up and actually offered to quit. H&G explained that they had received no communication about the transfer and said they would bring Foster over to "aid communication". Rafa and Parry were barely speaking at this point.

Foster left England leaving Parry again in charge of negotiations. Rafa wanted to sort out Mascherano's contract and sort out a few deals. Mascherano' agent didn't want to negotiate with Parry after all the trouble Parry had caused him, so Rafa did the negotiating and a deal was agreed. Parry reported to H&G that he was concerned about the deal after all the trouble narrowly avoided last time. H&G repeated that in the absence of Foster all deals must be done by Parry, and that the Mascherano deal was off.

Rafa accuses Parry of only pushing for the deals Parry wanted and that we were losing players because of it. H&G say that no deals will be made until they come over and talk and that Rafa should concentrate on coaching. Rafa explodes again and says by the time they come over it will be too late. H&G reply that it MAY BE TOO LATE ALREADY! A big argument between Rafa and Parry then takes place just before Parry leaves the country.(not sure where?)

Rafa decides with nothing to lose he will go public. When Parry returns he has the famous 2 hour meeting with Rafa, where Rafa explains why he went public with the arguement. Parry says he is sure that H&G didn't mean they intended to sack Rafa, but were meaning that there may be no transfer funds available. This is the so called misunderstanding that occurred.

Either way, Rafa has supposedly burnt his boats with H&G and win or lose he's being replaced.

if that is even 80% close then parry need his balls nailing to the door. how dare he put in self first by try to do deal the manager dosen't want then grassing on him when the t's are not crossed and the i dotted that is his feckin job

by **Stev1eran** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 8:26 pm

My mate was listening to Talk Sport today and apparantly George Gillette will be talking and answering questions on Brazil and Beakey's breakfast show on Thursday morning, can anyone confirm or deny this?

by **tommycockles** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:30 am

hishhish wrote:Lando, I find your comments (in this particular situation), my sentiments exactly. I really had hoped for a strong word of support for Rafa, but nothing doing. If I was in Rafa's situation, I am not sure I would be happy to stay either.

i agree - the fact that Parry hasn't uttered a word though all this speaks volumes.

Parry's been out of his depth for years, we need someone who can run a club not hope that the clubs brand will run itself!!

by **Ciggy** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:31 am

Stev1eran wrote:My mate was listening to Talk Sport today and apparantly George Gillette will be talking and answering questions on Brazil and Beakey's breakfast show on Thursday morning, can anyone confirm or deny this?

He has cancelled the interview and will no longer be talking with that manc b@stard.

by **Owzat** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 2:47 pm

While Rafa has made a right pig's ear of several selections, teams and formations this season, he is still fourth and as well positioned as anyone has been at Liverpool for some years. We're annoyed about Saturday, not the first time this season, but I think the majority are still behind Rafa.

If they're going to sack Rafa then why not wait until late season when we would then be in the late stages of cups (or out) and we'll know whereabouts we'll finish in the league. Who would they bring in other than *spits* Jose *spits* ? I'm sure the managerial market will be better stocked later in the season, only the smaller clubs dump managers this early and those who do get the boot generally haven't done much to be worth showing interest in

by **account deleted by request** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:59 pm

iInterview with Rafa - Ripped from TLW

(Translated by AnotherSpanishFan on RAWK)

Miguel Á. Vara | 13/12/2007

First of all, congratulations for beating Marseille.

- It was a much needed victory and we’re happy with the outcome. It means that we will progress in a competition that we like, and people will be able to celebrate it accordingly. Just by looking at the atmosphere that we experienced at the airport, any extra effort is worth it.

What happened there?

- As always, many supporters made the trip to support the team and, on the way back, we coincided at the airport and they started to sing, to jump…the police had no idea of what to do because they[the supporters] started to approach me to greet me and they[the police] asked me what to do. I said it was okay, to let them come close and they started to sing for me to stay, hug me…

Do you feel like the people’s manager?

- I feel like Liverpool’s manager and I say that with a lot of pride.

But in the last few weeks the supporters have overwhelmingly come out on your defense…

- Liverpool supporters are, above all, very appreciative and they understand the progress that has been made in the last three years when the team was coming from situation of ostracism. I think they are very grateful for all of this and with each passing day I feel their affection more and more.

That kind of support to a manager is unthinkable in Spain, no?

- Not only in Spain but I doubt it’s happened anywhere else because we’re talking about internet petitions, demonstrations, chants of support and banners in the stadium…they’re incredible and I insist that we must be very grateful to them.

This kind of popular support seems to have put a brake to the owner’s pressure….

- Things are calm, we’re focused on every match and the team is responding very well.

What’s your relationship with the owners like?

- On a personal level the relationship is good, we’ve had some differences on the professional plane but once we meet and get to talk everything will be sorted out and it will end up being nothing more than a misunderstanding.

Is it a problem that they don’t live in Liverpool?

- I think that the distance makes things a little more difficult, that’s why everything will be solved once they arrive.

What do you expect of that face-to-face with the Americans?

- We all want the same thing which is the best for Liverpool so I’m sure that we will understand each other very well.

If you had known you were going to end up with this situation[with these owners] Would you have come to Liverpool?

- I have the virtue that my work is not based on the hypothetical. I will tell you that I’m very happy in Liverpool and I would love to remain here for many years.

But something seems to be happening in England, where we used to speak about a philosophy that seems to be dying out because there have already been five managers sacked this season.

- Perhaps the pressure is higher, everybody wants immediate results and more so now because there are people investing a lot of money and that makes the owners more nervous[about getting immediate results]. But I think that things will settle down now and, as is custom in England, more time will be given to managers to carry out their projects.

Speaking of projects, Are Liverpool favourites to win the Premier?

- There seems to be a misunderstanding when people talk about the amount of money spent by Liverpool when, between the amount we have recouped and what we have spent, we’re in a similar position to the teams close to the top but not close to the biggest clubs. If you analyze it, United have spent 70 million pounds when we have spent 40 something while recouping 26 mil. That’s why I say that a lot of people think that we must win the title because we’ve spent so much money, when there are other teams like Chelsea, United, or West Ham, Newcastle or Aston Villa that have also spend a lot of money, that’s why nobody has any guarantees to win the title. Arsenal have been spending a lot on young players during many years and they’re now starting to collect the dividends. All the teams at the top spend a lot of money but that doesn’t guarantee the title, the Premier is something difficult to achieve because Chelsea, United…are very big and they have been building on for years.

It does seem like more of an even fight this year in the Premier with many teams competing for the title

- Yes, but it’s not just the top four. The fight is more even between all the teams because any team can beat you on a given day.

Going back to the Champions. You’re certain to draw a big club. Do you have a personal preference for an Italian or Spanish team, perhaps Madrid or Barça?

- We’ve had to fight very hard to qualify out of the group stages and we’re just enjoying the moment, we haven’t really thought about which team would suit us best.

And on Sunday you welcome Manchester United…

- That’s why we must leave the euphoria for others. On the plane back from Marseille I spoke to some of the players to see what we could improve on. I think that praise weakens you and you can’t relax just because you’ve achieved one goal, because if you do[relax], you will fail to reach other goals.

Lets talk about someone: Fernando Torres.

- We’re very happy with him, he has a good mentality and I think that he is very happy in Liverpool, he is happy to be a part of this team, the supporters are delighted with him

What has he improved on since he left Spain?

- I think he has less pressure on his shoulders because at Atletico he was the only reference player and he had to carry the whole weight of the club, but here he shares that pressure with other team-mates with a lot of experience and that helps him and gives him confidence, he’s more calm and is more of a team player.

One of those players is Steven Gerrard. People always say that you two don’t have a very good relationship.

- That is just part of the false myths that circle the press, that get repeated over and over and people end up believing in them. It’s a shame that this sort of thing happens and even more so in this case because it’s not true, Steven is a fantastic lad and the relationship is very good.

Now there is another Spaniard managing in England.

- Juande is a good manager and to have more Spanish managers managing outside of Spain is important because it shows the level of quality in the collective.

What is the biggest problem he could face now?

- The language is the first thing because you don’t quite dominate the nuances of the language. One thing is to be able to say things in English and a different thing is to be able to communicate effectively, when to give it the appropriate connotations and be able to use it to motivate the group. That is quite complicated.

Is this the best Liverpool since you arrived?

- It is. The team has improved a lot. The squad in general offers more alternatives, with young players in many cases, but players with quality. We’re still in a phase of development, that’s why I insist that the team can improve, but there are players with quality and with the possibility of being very important players in the Premier because they have the talent.

Are you going to reinforce the team in January?

- We’ve had a problem in central defense because we couldn’t make the deal for Heinze and, then, Agger went down injured. This has forced us to use Hyppia, who is 34, and Carragher every match and many times twice a week, and with the intensity of play here, is not easy to hold up. Our idea is to bring in a central defender, to balance the team in that position.

What’s your take on La Liga?

- I see that there are teams that still haven’t found their rhythm and Real Madrid who keep winning and gaining an advantage, but the other teams are yet to awake and when they do it will be a more competitive Liga.

Barça are one of those teams, no?

- Barça have quality and if they have played well before they can do it again for sure.

And Ronaldinho?

- Speaking from the distance is difficult, I think he’s still a great footballer, but I don’t know what his day-to-day situation is like so it wouldn’t be right to voice an opinion on it.

Another team going through a rough time: Valencia.

- I have the same answer. In this case I know a lot about Valencia and that make me have an even greater respect for them, so it’s not correct for me to speak on the matter.

But you can tell us about their manager because you have played against Koeman a few times

- Not against him, against the teams he managed, because if I had faced Koeman as a player he would’ve beaten me for sure. When we played Benfica we didn’t do well because we conceded a goal from a free-kick in the last few minutes and then we faced a battle uphill and they knocked us out of the Champions. We had more luck against PSV, we played better, but every time we have played them, his teams have done well, they created some danger and we had to do a lot of good work to get some positive results.

Koeman insists on changing the system, Do you think that squad can do so without any traumas?

- I think that the players are the most important thing, that is clear, then, having players with intelligence allows you to tweak the system and find the weaknesses on the opposing team while maximizing your strengths. I don’t think you can talk exclusively about the players or the system, both things need to come together.

Another team, Atletico. Better without Torres.

- I will only say that, fortunately, Fernando is here with us and we’re very happy with him. If Atletico are doing well, then good for them.

The one thing that did get straightened out was the national team.

- That shows that you must always have patience. If you give the managers confidence, at the end they can instill their ideas and is easier to gain results. Spain has the individual quality and, now, they have shown that they can work as a team and play well as a group. Now we’ll see how far they can go.

And how far can Liverpool go?

- As far as we can. Our professionalism and our supporters demand so.

LINK

by **NANNY RED** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:11 pm

What a great read Saint thanks for puttin it up

by **Ciggy** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:34 am

Apparently there was a meeting last night and Rafa's job is still in jeopardy fuckinell what do these new owners want a league medal on sunday?

Apparently he will be outnumbered on sunday at the meeting with what only seems like David Moores on his side.

What is certain is that BenÍtez is not blessed with too many allies on the five-man board, which consists of the two Americans, a son of each and Rick Parry, the chief executive Oliver Kay

by **Igor Zidane** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:54 am

Ciggy wrote:Apparently there was a meeting last night and Rafa's job is still in jeopardy fuckinell what do these new owners want a league medal on sunday?

Apparently he will be outnumbered on sunday at the meeting with what only seems like David Moores on his side.

What is certain is that BenÍtez is not blessed with too many allies on the five-man board, which consists of the two Americans, a son of each and Rick Parry, the chief executive Oliver Kay

I think it will all get sorted now lynds , rafa seems pretty confident that it was just a misunderstanding and they will be able to agree when they meet. A nice little win over the mancs will help of course.

by **Ciggy** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:00 am

Igor Zidane wrote:I think it will all get sorted now lynds , rafa seems pretty confident that it was just a misunderstanding and they will be able to agree when they meet. A nice little win over the mancs will help of course.

Not according to those is the know its not Igor his jobs still on the line.

by **murphy0151** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:17 am

Ciggy wrote:
Igor Zidane wrote:I think it will all get sorted now lynds , rafa seems pretty confident that it was just a misunderstanding and they will be able to agree when they meet. A nice little win over the mancs will help of course.

Not according to those is the know its not Igor his jobs still on the line.

Come on then who are these in the know people?

:shifty

by **Leonmc0708** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:35 am

murphy0151 wrote:
Ciggy wrote:
Igor Zidane wrote:I think it will all get sorted now lynds , rafa seems pretty confident that it was just a misunderstanding and they will be able to agree when they meet. A nice little win over the mancs will help of course.

Not according to those is the know its not Igor his jobs still on the line.

Come on then who are these in the know people?

I have heard pretty much the same things lad.

by **stmichael** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 12:26 pm

The media getting the last bit of mileage out of a non story. :sleep

by **murphy0151** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 1:46 pm

Leonmc0708 wrote:
murphy0151 wrote:
Ciggy wrote:
Igor Zidane wrote:I think it will all get sorted now lynds , rafa seems pretty confident that it was just a misunderstanding and they will be able to agree when they meet. A nice little win over the mancs will help of course.

Not according to those is the know its not Igor his jobs still on the line.

Come on then who are these in the know people?

I have heard pretty much the same things lad.

LOL

Load of shiiiit am telling you.

How many times ave you been told stuff and theres been no truth to it? Load of shabite.

Wheres this info coming from?

by **zarababe** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 8:36 pm

Not to add fuel to the fire - I'm worried that the 'joint-chairs' will make it impossible for him to stay, by laying down certain conditions about his 'management role' - transfer policy and activity etc- he may walk away because he won't compromise on certain things and transfer involvement may well be one of them.

I'm really worried that Rafa may be pushed in to a corner by these jerks, to a point where he is forced out and by implication a statement similar to the Chelsea one might emerge - involing 'by mutual consent' .. please God let me be oh so wrong - I couldn't bear it if we lost Rafa - it would be an utter disaster for this club and we'll see a player exit we won't recover from - the reputation and credabilty of a manager is a big attraction for any player, even at a club like ours, Rafa has been a catalyst for putting Liverpool back on the map and attracting the likes of Alonso, Reina and Torres.. we would be thrust back years

Don't know if anyone knows if a show of support for the boss is planned for Sunday - but those of you with your connections please make it happen again - One Rafa Benitez and he's ours !!!

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