Bascombe has a pop at new owners?

[dww]

Anyone who thinks there aren't serious issues between Rafa and G&H is deluding themselves in my book. i'm not saying the problems will cause Rafa to go, but he has twice publically criticised them. Now we've Bascombe doing the same. Now I've been following LFC for 30 years, I cannot recall an LFC manager ever publically criticising the owners. To top that, the owners have only been here 5 minutes. Now if thats not a sign of problems, I don't know what is.

But until now it has always been the same owners - so the relationship has always been well established and everyone has known that the Moores family had the best interests of the club at heart.

It is clearly different now and I think the new owners style rubbed Rafa up the wrong way - promising a lot and then not delivering instantly. He complained directly after what was a gutting exit from the CL. It is clear that the were differences between the owners and Rafa but the fact that he spoke of his increased happiness and didn't walk away after his talk with them indicates that he believes that there is progress to be made.

People seem to want to rush to an extreme position on the clubs situation when I think the most accurate description is that it is in flux. We will just have to wait and see how it turns out.

[kurtangle01]

Why not? The quotes would have come out anyway in another paper. Better to have a journo that you can trust to write about it than another journo that you can't trust that comes out with it in an even worse way.

It could have been even worse if another journo had reported it in a very bad way.

It's like picking the best option of two bad options.

There's no point reasoning with you because you're clearly deluded.

[dww]

I guess it's a case of wait and see. One thing's for sure though, if Rafa does leave the club under these circumstances it would be dreadful start from the current owners. It would also be a very sad day for the club. Not only because we'd have lost Rafa but it would be the first manager that's resigned, as far a I can remember, due to the club showing a lack of ambition. We currently have one of the best coaces in world fotball at our club, one who is highly regarded and sought after. The club would be mad not to back him. Who would replace him? I can't think of anyone with as good a pedigree as Rafa who's available.

Wrote my above post before you posted this.

[The Glove]

Atleast if Rafa does go, he has done enough to ensure that we are a big fish again, so we will have quality managers apply rather than ***** like Allardyce and Curbishley.

[StevieG08]

I guess it's a case of wait and see. One thing's for sure though, if Rafa does leave the club under these circumstances it would be dreadful start from the current owners. It would also be a very sad day for the club. Not only because we'd have lost Rafa but it would be the first manager that's resigned, as far a I can remember, due to the club showing a lack of ambition. We currently have one of the best coaces in world fotball at our club, one who is highly regarded and sought after. The club would be mad not to back him. Who would replace him? I can't think of anyone with as good a pedigree as Rafa who's available.

This pretty much sums up my feelings on the situation. It's not time to panic as such but i believe the next week or two is critical.

[StevieG08]

Atleast if Rafa does go, he has done enough to ensure that we are a big fish again, so we will have quality managers apply rather than ***** like Allardyce and Curbishley.

Agreed.
It's going to be a tall order to replace him if he does indeed leave however.

[kurtangle01]

Atleast if Rafa does go, he has done enough to ensure that we are a big fish again, so we will have quality managers apply rather than ***** like Allardyce and Curbishley.

That's probably right but you have to look at the reason Rafa would have resigned. He would resigning due to the club showing a lack of ambition in backing him for some real quality players. What sort of top manager wants to take control of a club under those circumstances?

This is all speculation anyway but it's something that if happened could have a seriously detrimental effect on our club.

[Sir Bob]

But until now it has always been the same owners - so the relationship has always been well established and everyone has known that the Moores family had the best interests of the club at heart.

It is clearly different now and I think the new owners style rubbed Rafa up the wrong way - promising a lot and then not delivering instantly. He complained directly after what was a gutting exit from the CL. It is clear that the were differences between the owners and Rafa but the fact that he spoke of his increased happiness and didn't walk away after his talk with them indicates that he believes that there is progress to be made.

People seem to want to rush to an extreme position on the clubs situation when I think the most accurate description is that it is in flux. We will just have to wait and see how it turns out.

Thats my point exactly though. We have had the same owners for years and by and large there were no major problems. Now H&G have been here 5 minutes and its all kicked off. i'm not saying things are that bad Rafa will go, but its hardly an encouraging start. Will it be the same every transfer window, with Rafa going public, moaning about H&G in order to get them to splash the cash. H&G have obviously gone back on promises made in my view or Rafa wouldn't go public. If there is a split at the very top at LFC then it will effect things on the pitch IMO.

[dww]

Thats my point exactly though. We have had the same owners for years and by and large there were no major problems. Now H&G have been here 5 minutes and its all kicked off. i'm not saying things are that bad Rafa will go, but its hardly an encouraging start. Will it be the same every transfer window, with Rafa going public, moaning about H&G in order to get them to splash the cash. H&G have obviously gone back on promises made in my view or Rafa wouldn't go public. If there is a split at the very top at LFC then it will effect things on the pitch IMO.

I don't know at this early stage it is hard to judge. It is quite possible that the timescales on which their plans would unfold were different to what Rafa wanted and he felt he needed to force their hand.

He has previously complained about his lack of backing in the transfer market under the old ownership. I think that the new statements have been lent added significance which may or may not be true because of the new ownership and the increased expectations.

On the other hand it may be that H&G have gone back on their word. If they didn't plan to put money into transfers though you would think that they would not have sanctioned the Lucas deal and that there would be no reason for Rafa to not have resigned at the time, rather than waiting.

The situation is probably more comlicated than any of the scenarios I have outlined but I think it is quite possible this is just a storm in a teacup.

[kurtangle01]

Thats my point exactly though. We have had the same owners for years and by and large there were no major problems. Now H&G have been here 5 minutes and its all kicked off. i'm not saying things are that bad Rafa will go, but its hardly an encouraging start. Will it be the same every transfer window, with Rafa going public, moaning about H&G in order to get them to splash the cash. H&G have obviously gone back on promises made in my view or Rafa wouldn't go public. If there is a split at the very top at LFC then it will effect things on the pitch IMO.

Well if I remember rightly Rafa gave an interview to Revisita La Liga on Sky and he was very cautios not to say he was staying or leaving. He just basically kept saying "I'm focusing on the next game".

After that he had his meeting with Gillett and Hicks and all seemed rosy again. Obviously some promises were made that persuaded him to stay. If those promises aren't kept then it's not a great start to their relationship is it? If they've gone back on their word then it's not inconceivable that Rafa could walk away from the club. Lets face it he's got previous and doesn't **** around as we saw at Valencia. He kept his word and now it's time for our new owners to keep theirs.

[Sir Bob]

I don't know at this early stage it is hard to judge. It is quite possible that the timescales on which their plans would unfold were different to what Rafa wanted and he felt he needed to force their hand.

He has previously complained about his lack of backing in the transfer market under the old ownership. I think that the new statements have been lent added significance which may or may not be true because of the new ownership and the increased expectations.

On the other hand it may be that H&G have gone back on their word. If they didn't plan to put money into transfers though you would think that they would not have sanctioned the Lucas deal and that there would be no reason for Rafa to not have resigned at the time, rather than waiting.

The situation is probably more comlicated than any of the scenarios I have outlined but I think it is quite possible this is just a storm in a teacup.

You're right, i'm sure the situation isn't as black & white as we see it , these things really are.

I hope you're right that this is a storm in a tea cup as I'd hate to see Rafa go at some point as he did at Valencia.

[Tom]

Something is obviously wrong. Bascombe takes his job very seriously, he's extremely careful with his choice of words, I'm speculating here of course, but he and the editor wouldn't have published this unless they felt it gave a reasonable description of some of the kind of drift that appears to be happening at the club. Things can change quickly in football so hopefully we'll see some movement next week

I am beginning to wonder though, if its only just beginning to dawn on the new owners what they've bought into.

[blacky]

It's hard to know what to believe but one thing is a given Rafa is not happy. Whether that's just becuase the club lost the CL final to a poor Milan side or it's that G&H are not fulfilling earlier promises in anyones guess. I think we just need to sit back and see how this month unfolds. I think Rafa is totally committed to LFC and wants to succeed here but he won't suffer fools and if G&H keep mouthing off in the press about making us the biggest club in the world but not putting their money where their mouths are then he will walk away just like he did at valencia.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

People seem to want to rush to an extreme position on the clubs situation when I think the most accurate description is that it is in flux. We will just have to wait and see how it turns out.

[Phil Eel]

seriously though, why?

I dunno about Rashid, but here's my take on things, which does reflect what a couple of people 'in the know' have said to me.

DIC did submit the best bid by far. Gillett and Hicks came back with a counter bid. It seemed to me that Parry et al were nervous because DIC were seeking investors and trying to attract then by talking about the potential return in five years time. People, wrongly IMHO, felt this indicated a lack of commitment by DIC and Parry sought another bid. It was no coincidence that Gillett came back in. Only Moores and Parry knew this until the Board meeting prior to the midweek match in London - I forget who it was against now - very late in the day. The secrecy was stunning. The other Board members were certainly stunned.

The problem for me is that although both DIC and Gillett / Hicks are business orientated, for me, DIC would have been more likely to be driven by pride and invested more heavily in the team as a result to achieve success.

Gillett and Hicks haven't done much different to Glaziers - they've just put the debt against 'KopFootball Ltd'. The fact the debt isn't against LFC 'per se' is just a technicality. The assets securing the Royal Bank of Scotland loan, are those of LFC.

When it was so suddenly announced Gillett and Hicks had bought the club, I looked at the success they have enjoyed with the other sporting interests. They've built nice stadia - not particularly have they enjoyed success on the pitch.

I have serious concerns that Due Diligence wasn't going to plan with DIC and Parry was happy to switch to Gillett / Hicks. I have real concerns that despite what has been said, we will not compete on transfers (he says as we watch ManUre commit £50 million in the blink of an eye).

The next few weeks will tell.