Benitez thread

[lucas10]

Time to wake up!! G&H do not have deep pockets. They are just great marketeer and sweet talker. They can just deliver Snoogy Doogy CD on their own money. Then, they will pledge the CD as collateral for BANK LOAN.

YANKEE.....show us the money.......

Seems like Thai are spending more money than American. We have never heard about ex-Thai Prime Minister need to take a loan to buy players.

[AFII]

Looks like DU was spot on....


Liverpool in crisis
LIVERPOOL IN CRISIS
David Maddock 23/11/2007

The civil war that has suddenly gripped Liverpool could determine whether they can ever rejoin the elite of English football, or be condemned to yet more years in the Premier League wilderness.

Manager Rafa Benitez launched an extraordinary offensive yesterday with what he sees as a ultimatum to the club's American owners that they can only interpret as back me or sack me.

In response, George Gillett and Tom Hicks offered a considered and cutting response, apparently designed to call the bluff of the manager who often reacts in an impulsive way to any perceived problems.

Benitez has become increasingly angry in recent weeks over what he believed was a complete lack of communication from the Americans.

He argued that since buying the club they had put their energies into other projects, left Liverpool on a back burner, and wondered whether the pair were working together as a team.

Both men have each been to only one game this season, and Benitez claims he has spoken to them just once in three months, while also exchanging the odd email.

Gillett's son Foster, installed at Anfield as a go-between, has flown back to the States for an extended period.

In particular, Benitez wants the £17million deal for Javier Mascherano wrapped up, after agreeing terms over both contract and fee. The Americans though, have delayed, insisting they have first option on the Argentina midfielder and that there is no need to rush.

Benitez also tried to negotiate deals to bring in two highly-rated young Brazilians, and wants funds to back a major offensive to sign £15m Argentina defender Ezequiel Garay.

All three proposals were met with indifference by a board increasingly sceptical about his constant pursuit of untried South Americans, believing it to be a high-risk strategy that could cost the club millions.

Benitez wants to move quickly, with Juventus interested in Mascherano, and Manchester United in Garay, who, along with the Brazilians, is also wanted by Real Madrid.

His frustration has grown to such a level Bayern Munich and Fenerbache made inquiries after word leaked out at Anfield of his discomfort.

That did nothing for relations between the manager and owners sides, with the Americans beginning to believe they may be better off without someone prone to such emotional outbursts.

There is still anger within the boardroom over Benitez's personal attack on Gillett, Hicks and chief executive Rick Parry over a lack of support after the Champions League Final.

Gillett and Hicks responded by making £50m available for transfers, and believe the manager now has a squad strong enough for a serious assault on the title.

However, the the situation came to head yesterday when Benitez was told by the Americans to wait until they arrive in England on December 16, and until then to concentrate on getting the best out of a squad that has cost so much.

That enraged the Spanish, who immediately marched into a press conference conducted in a remarkable manner.

Virtually every question was answered with the same response: "As always, I am focused on coaching and training my team." He repeated the sentence - clearly meant as a response to the demands of the Americans and probably borrowing from a phrase they used - more than 25 times.

Their reaction was swift and significant. They issued a statement that robustly defended their position and also explained what had been happening behind the scenes.

"We made a significant investment in the playing squad during the summer and desperately want this team to succeed," it read. "There are some very important games coming up in the next couple of weeks and all of us need to focus on winning those games and getting the best out of the players we already have.

"We will leave any talk of buying or selling players until we come across to Liverpool in December and sit down with the manager then."

The question for Benitez is whether he can remain in charge until then. The owners have called his bluff, and he must mull over his position after being so publicly chastised.

He would receive a huge payoff - thought to be up to £6m - if sacked, even if he finds another job, but will forfeit that amount if he quits.

He has been bluntly told he has had significant backing and will have to earn further support through results on the field, which have been less than impressive despite major investment.

The ball in now in his court, but the US tycoons are hard-nosed businessmen and Benitez has suddenly found himself on extremely treacherous ground, that could conceivably lead to his departure.

BUY BUY BOSS?

Rafa Benitez has spent £122.7million in transfer fees on 17 players (not counting free transfers) since joining Liverpool in the summer of 2004. Here are his biggest buys.

F Torres (A Madrid) £26.5m

R Babel (Ajax) £11.5m

X Alonso (Valencia) £10.5m

D Kuyt (Feyenoord) £9m

P Crouch (S'pton) £7m

J Pennant (Arsenal) £6.7m

F Morientes (R Madrid) £6.3m


http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...9520-20149449/

[Mr Tourette]

"it can happen. You never know what can happen. If I can improve my English."

Now if thats not a piss take I dont know what is

Jesus christ what a ****ing numpty convention

a man of sound reason, as usual.

[Red_Al_77]

Their reaction was swift and significant. They issued a statement that robustly defended their position and also explained what had been happening behind the scenes.

"We made a significant investment in the playing squad during the summer and desperately want this team to succeed," it read. "There are some very important games coming up in the next couple of weeks and all of us need to focus on winning those games and getting the best out of the players we already have.

"We will leave any talk of buying or selling players until we come across to Liverpool in December and sit down with the manager then."

This was an unprompted outburst from Punch and Judy. There may be trouble ahead.....

[AFII]

Rafa doesn't sound like a happy man. Let's hope things smooth over between the owners and the manager.



PRESS: Do you know how much you will have to spend from the American owners in January?

RB: As always I am focused on training and coaching my team.

Have you had any assurances you’ll have what you want?

RB: As always I am focused on training and coaching my team.

What about your long-term plan?

RB: My plan is training and coaching the team.

Is there anything upsetting you?

RB: As always I am focused on training and coaching my team.

Do you have anything to say?

RB: As always I am focused on training and coaching my team.

It’s clear something is up...

RB: You have my answer.

You’re very different from normal...

RB: You have my answer.

It’s clear that something is up, though. How can you focus on your training and coaching?

RB: I was preparing the training session before this Press conference. So I am always focused on training and coaching.

It’s not always possible, though...

RB: Yes, it is for me.

You said after the story linking you with Bayern Munich you were happy to stay here for a long time, is that still the case?

RB: As always I am focused on training and coaching my team.

We’re not going to tease it out of you, are we? You’re not normally late for a Press conference. You were obviously preoccupied by something...

RB: Because as always I was focusing on the training session.

Is there anything you would like to say?

RB: As always I am focused on training and coaching my team.

You always say you are focused on training and coaching, but you usually give answers to our enquiries, so how come it’s changed suddenly?

RB: Nothing. I’m just focused on training and coaching as always.

You did kind of suggest to the TV people that you were open to possibility of the England job. Is that something we should treat seriously?

RB: It’s your decision. You never know what will happen in the future.

Were you serious when you answered it?

RB: I was serious.

It would be dereliction of our duty not to point out that one day you say you are looking to stay here a long time, then the next day you are saying who knows about England for the future. Isn’t there a contradiction between the two?

RB: The future is the future. Now, as always I am focused on training and coaching my team, so I cannot say anything else. Just to keep preparing for the next game.

You’ve always said you wanted to stay here for years and years and talked about the future here?

RB: That is true.

So, what you’re saying suggests that perhaps the future here is in question?

RB: I am focused on training and coaching my team.

So who knows?

RB: As always I am focused on training and coaching my team.

Are you being allowed to do that as you wish?

RB: I am focused on training and coaching my team.

Does everyone associated with the club share that opinion?

RB: As always I am focused on training and coaching my team.

http://liverpoolfc.co.za/eve/forums/...3/m/6731051954

[AFII]

Their reaction was swift and significant. They issued a statement that robustly defended their position and also explained what had been happening behind the scenes.

"We made a significant investment in the playing squad during the summer and desperately want this team to succeed," it read. "There are some very important games coming up in the next couple of weeks and all of us need to focus on winning those games and getting the best out of the players we already have.

"We will leave any talk of buying or selling players until we come across to Liverpool in December and sit down with the manager then."

This was an unprompted outburst from Punch and Judy. There may be trouble ahead.....

I don't think it's a maybe. If G&H don't assure Rafa that they will back him in January with the players he want then he will walk IMO.

I don't think he has asked for to much when you consider that G&H have spent almost nothing themselves on players.

[Red_Al_77]

Blimey. Doesn't look like he is pissed off with the England questions to me. Hmmmm.

[AFII]

Blimey. Doesn't look like he is pissed off with the England questions to me. Hmmmm.

As I said in the other thread, someone should merge them, this looks like Valencia all over again.

Rafa want a sofa but G&H are only prepared to pay for a lampshade.

[Red_Al_77]

As I said in the other thread, someone should merge them, this looks like Valencia all over again.

Rafa want a sofa but G&H are only prepared to pay for a lampshade.

I'm not sure I agree with that. I think it's their lack of response and urgency that is the issue...not the lack of cash. They aren't use to the transfer market and the need to network. This isn't a draft system and they need to get with the program and give Rafa at least the time of day.

[Colemere]

He looks as though he was more pissed of answering questions about Liverpool than the England job.

[Griswald]

My take is this. I think G&H are financially constrained by the new stadium costs. The recent credit crunch will raise the cost of finance dramatically. Accordingly, they may be looking to take a more conservative approach to transfers. This was always going to be the problem having accepted a takeover from investors who are 'investing' with borrowed money. Hopefully, G&H will make moves to placate Rafa because the last thing we want to see is Rafa leaving (which is probably the last thing Rafa wants). At the same time, Rafa will have to accept the new financial reality. Let's hope both parties can eventually see eye to eye. Personally I feel G&H should assent to Rafa's January demands esp. re Masch. In return, Rafa should accept a quieter Summer transfer window. Just my thoughts.

[AFII]

My take is this. I think G&H are financially constrained by the new stadium costs. The recent credit crunch will raise the cost of finance dramatically. Accordingly, they may be looking to take a more conservative approach to transfers. This was always going to be the problem having accepted a takeover from investors who are 'investing' with borrowed money. Hopefully, G&H will make moves to placate Rafa because the last thing we want to see is Rafa leaving (which is probably the last thing Rafa wants). At the same time, Rafa will have to accept the new financial reality. Let's hope both parties can eventually see eye to eye. Personally I feel G&H should assent to Rafa's January demands esp. re Masch. In return, Rafa should accept a quieter Summer transfer window. Just my thoughts.

He can't do that if the owners at the same time want us to challenge for the title.

[Frank Leroux]

Strange.

Benitez being totally out of character during the conference with his 'coaching' mantra and his apparently intentional vagueness about him taking the England job (which of course he'll never take).

G+H coming out with the 'focussing on winning these matches'...seems like a direct challenge to the manager to me.

It could be about cash constraints.

It could be about a lack of confidence in Benitez.

[fred_plasticine]

He can't do that if the owners at the same time want us to challenge for the title.

and the clearly want him to only focus on coaching the team.
by the face of it you're spot-on, this looks like valencia all over again.

[AFII]

I think Rafa has two, three "done" deals but he can't close them until he gets the ok from G&H and he need the ok before they arrive in England or he will lose the players he want.