American investors delighted with Rafa dividend
LIVERPOOL, May 3, 2007 (AFP) - Liverpool's new co-owner George Gillett has admitted he and partner Tom Hicks have been pleasantly surprised to see such a quick return on their 500-million-pound investment in the club following Rafael Benitez's side's advance to another Champions League final.
Gillett and Hicks were in the stands to witness Liverpool's penalties win over Chelsea on Tuesday night and there is no doubting that the American duo have been bowled over by the unique atmosphere the club's fans can generate at Anfield.
Gillett was seen hugging and kissing fans in the director's box and later admitted that Benitez's achievement in taking Liverpool to the final for the second time in three years had surpassed his expectations.
"We knew Rafa was good - but not this good!" Gillett said. "Rafa has been tremendous. My sons and I followed the sport here before we came; we knew about Rafa Benitez and what he had done in Europe.
"We knew of him but I don't think we realised how good he was, and not just as a coach. Not only is he a brilliant coach but he is a very sharp, savvy businessman. He knows what he wants and how to get it.
"The more we have seen of him the more impressed we have become. We have talked money but that is not the main point. We have discovered that the way people operate privately is not always the same as in public.
"We will be supporting him during the summer but it is not about money, it is about athletes and giving people opportunities."
Unlike the Glazers at Manchester United, Gillett and Hicks appear to have received a genuine welcome on Merseyside and supporters are eagerly awaiting to see what Benitez will do with a generous transfer kitty this summer.
A Champions League final win would further enhance the Americans' willingness to spend and Gillett revealed that he would be in Athens on May 23.
"You bet I will be there," he said. "I have worked in the States for many years but football in Europe is like any other sport I have seen but on stereoids!"
Hicks meanwhile has confirmed that Liverpool's plans for a new 60,000-seat or bigger stadium were nearing completion.
"We will honour the plans already in place but things are being changed. We have talked to people and we do not want to start over with the plans again.
"So far we have worked on its insides, the outside is next, but we are near to being able to announce our new plans.
"We have to compete with Manchester United who can get over 70,000 in their stadium, while Arsenal's new ground has 60,000, and with London prices. "Liverpool has a unique market. We have a huge waiting list of fans wanting to buy tickets so we want a bigger stadium than the one previously envisaged."
Gillett Jr. impressed with Benitez after Liverpool win
Associated Press
LIVERPOOL, England — Liverpool co-owner George Gillett Jr. has even more respect for manager Rafa Benitez after watching the Reds advance to the Champions League final.
Gillett, the Montreal Canadiens owner who bought the club with American businessman Tom Hicks in March, was besieged by celebrating fans after Liverpool defeated Chelsea on penalty kicks at Tuesday's match at Anfield.
He said Benitez had been "tremendous" in guiding Liverpool to its second Champions League final in three years.
"We knew of him, but I don't think we realized how good he was — and not just as a coach," Gillett said. "Not only was he a brilliant coach, but he is a very sharp, savvy businessman. He knows what he wants and how to get it. The more we have seen of him the more impressed we have become."
Benitez joined Liverpool in June 2004 from Spanish club Valencia.
Gillett said he would be at the May 23 final in Athens, Greece.
"You bet I will be in Athens, I have seen some marvellous games already in Europe and that will be another," Gillett said.
Gillett said he and Hicks had been "hugely impressed" by the way Liverpool fans had accepted them.
"They are amazing," he said. "Everywhere Tom and I go it is the same: people are pleased and so welcoming. I wanted to shake their hands, to embrace them at the end because they had been magnificent for their team."
Hicks said plans for building a new stadium at nearby Stanley Park are going well. Gillett and Hicks will bankroll the new venue, which will replace the 45,000-capacity Anfield ground where the Reds have been since 1892.
"On the new stadium, we will honour the plans already in place, but things are being changed," Hicks said. "We have talked to people and we do not want to start over with the plans again.
"So far we have worked on its insides, the outside is next, but we are near to being able to announce our new plans."
The new stadium is expected to seat 60,000.