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Liverpool's new co-owner George Gillett has admitted he and partner Tom Hicks had no idea how good a manager Rafael Benitez was when they bought the club for nearly £500m.
The American sports mogul, together with Hicks, watched Liverpool's Champions League semi-final triumph over Chelsea at Anfield on Tuesday and then hailed the Spanish coach, who has taken the club to their second European Cup final in three seasons.
After the penalty shoot-out victory Gillett was seen hugging and kissing fans who besieged the directors' box.
He even walked into the crowd, shaking hands and embracing everyone in sight as he was mobbed by delirious fans, who are now eagerly awaiting Liverpool's seventh European Cup final as they bid to win the trophy for an amazing sixth time in Athens on May 23.
But when the uproar had died down, Gillett revealed his dedication to the Benitez cause, saying: ''We knew he was good - but not this good!
''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 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. 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.''
Gillett, revealed his reaction last night was prompted by the warmth of support he had received from fans since the takeover and that he would definitely be at the Champions League final later this month.
''You bet I will be in Athens, I have seen some marvellous games already in Europe and that will be another,'' 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 steroids!
''I am hugely impressed by the way myself and my family have been received here, it is truly wonderful, that is why I wanted to share the moment with the fans. They are amazing. 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.
''I just wanted to thank them. I suppose chairmen don't do that sort of thing usually but it is just how I feel about them.''
Liverpool's new co-owner George Gillett has admitted he and partner Tom Hicks had no idea how good a manager Rafael Benitez was when they bought the club for nearly £500m.
The American sports mogul, together with Hicks, watched Liverpool's Champions League semi-final triumph over Chelsea at Anfield on Tuesday and then hailed the Spanish coach, who has taken the club to their second European Cup final in three seasons.
After the penalty shoot-out victory Gillett was seen hugging and kissing fans who besieged the directors' box.
He even walked into the crowd, shaking hands and embracing everyone in sight as he was mobbed by delirious fans, who are now eagerly awaiting Liverpool's seventh European Cup final as they bid to win the trophy for an amazing sixth time in Athens on May 23.
But when the uproar had died down, Gillett revealed his dedication to the Benitez cause, saying: ''We knew he was good - but not this good!
''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 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. 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.''
Gillett, revealed his reaction last night was prompted by the warmth of support he had received from fans since the takeover and that he would definitely be at the Champions League final later this month.
''You bet I will be in Athens, I have seen some marvellous games already in Europe and that will be another,'' 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 steroids!
''I am hugely impressed by the way myself and my family have been received here, it is truly wonderful, that is why I wanted to share the moment with the fans. They are amazing. 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.
''I just wanted to thank them. I suppose chairmen don't do that sort of thing usually but it is just how I feel about them.''
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