Benitez: It’s time for us to talk
Mar 14 2007
by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
RAFA BENITEZ is anxious for a swift meeting with Liverpool’s new owners as he seeks further reassurances on the future direction of the club.
The manager’s request will be granted when George Gillett and Tom Hicks return to England at the end of the month, as the pair are equally eager to discuss their bold ambitions with Benitez.
Rumours of an approach from Real Madrid are gathering pace, and although Benitez insists he’s happy at Anfield and wants to complete his work on Merseyside, he’s made it clear a sit down with the American owners is a priority.
Madrid are understood to have made Benitez, Jose Mourinho and Gatafe’s Bernd Schuster top of their wanted list when Fabio Capello leaves, as expected, this summer.
"There are always a lot of rumours in the newspapers and a lot of people have been talking about Madrid," said Benitez. "I have read in some papers I’ve had meeting with people from Madrid. This is not true.
"What’s clear is I’m very happy at Liverpool. I couldn’t have more support than I’ve had here, but now we have new people taking over and it’s important I talk to the American owners.
"I have spoken to them once, when they first came to the club, but now I would like to see them again as soon as possible and talk about the future.
"As I’ve said before, I don’t just want to talk about money to spend on players, I would like to hear about the plans which will improve the club.
"We need to do things which not only help for one or two years, but will help the club for the next 100 years."
Liverpool had to withstand an official approach from Madrid a year ago, and convinced Benitez to sign a new deal.
Clearly, the Reds boss’ intention is to stay at Anfield, but each time his home town club makes a move for him it strengthens his resolve to negotiate changes he feels are necessary to the overall strategy employed by the club in a number of areas.
Gillett and Hicks are back in England on March 31 and will hold discussions with the manager then. Club sources insist one of the reasons they have been unable to do so is because the takeover hasn’t technically gone through yet, and the pair have preferred a low key approach until the formalities are complete.
However, the club understands why the manager would seek reassurance when new owners take over.
The Americans are keen to convince Benitez about their intentions and are confident he’ll be excited by their proposals.
It has emerged the US duo are now in a position to take full control, having secured 94.4% of shares.
Real are well aware Benitez’s intention is to finish the job he’s started on Merseyside, which is why both Mourinho and Schuster are also being courted.
Today’s suggestions Mourinho is favourite to land the job will be reassuring to Liverpool.
However, the fact Madrid haven’t been told to forget about trying to recruit Benitez will remain a concern to supporters until he feels in a position to publicly reject the idea, as he did after several weeks of rumours a year ago.
Meanwhile, it’s emerged David Moores dipped into his own pocket in order to secure the signing of striker Dirk Kuyt last summer, as the full extent of Liverpool’s financial situation prior to the takeover has been underlined.
Moores loaned the additional £10m available to finance the transfer in a gesture which was kept private until now.
Moores will be repaid by the new owners, but the revelation underlines how far he was prepared to go to ensure the team could compete.
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html
Mar 14 2007
by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
RAFA BENITEZ is anxious for a swift meeting with Liverpool’s new owners as he seeks further reassurances on the future direction of the club.
The manager’s request will be granted when George Gillett and Tom Hicks return to England at the end of the month, as the pair are equally eager to discuss their bold ambitions with Benitez.
Rumours of an approach from Real Madrid are gathering pace, and although Benitez insists he’s happy at Anfield and wants to complete his work on Merseyside, he’s made it clear a sit down with the American owners is a priority.
Madrid are understood to have made Benitez, Jose Mourinho and Gatafe’s Bernd Schuster top of their wanted list when Fabio Capello leaves, as expected, this summer.
"There are always a lot of rumours in the newspapers and a lot of people have been talking about Madrid," said Benitez. "I have read in some papers I’ve had meeting with people from Madrid. This is not true.
"What’s clear is I’m very happy at Liverpool. I couldn’t have more support than I’ve had here, but now we have new people taking over and it’s important I talk to the American owners.
"I have spoken to them once, when they first came to the club, but now I would like to see them again as soon as possible and talk about the future.
"As I’ve said before, I don’t just want to talk about money to spend on players, I would like to hear about the plans which will improve the club.
"We need to do things which not only help for one or two years, but will help the club for the next 100 years."
Liverpool had to withstand an official approach from Madrid a year ago, and convinced Benitez to sign a new deal.
Clearly, the Reds boss’ intention is to stay at Anfield, but each time his home town club makes a move for him it strengthens his resolve to negotiate changes he feels are necessary to the overall strategy employed by the club in a number of areas.
Gillett and Hicks are back in England on March 31 and will hold discussions with the manager then. Club sources insist one of the reasons they have been unable to do so is because the takeover hasn’t technically gone through yet, and the pair have preferred a low key approach until the formalities are complete.
However, the club understands why the manager would seek reassurance when new owners take over.
The Americans are keen to convince Benitez about their intentions and are confident he’ll be excited by their proposals.
It has emerged the US duo are now in a position to take full control, having secured 94.4% of shares.
Real are well aware Benitez’s intention is to finish the job he’s started on Merseyside, which is why both Mourinho and Schuster are also being courted.
Today’s suggestions Mourinho is favourite to land the job will be reassuring to Liverpool.
However, the fact Madrid haven’t been told to forget about trying to recruit Benitez will remain a concern to supporters until he feels in a position to publicly reject the idea, as he did after several weeks of rumours a year ago.
Meanwhile, it’s emerged David Moores dipped into his own pocket in order to secure the signing of striker Dirk Kuyt last summer, as the full extent of Liverpool’s financial situation prior to the takeover has been underlined.
Moores loaned the additional £10m available to finance the transfer in a gesture which was kept private until now.
Moores will be repaid by the new owners, but the revelation underlines how far he was prepared to go to ensure the team could compete.
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html
Comment