Tom Hicks: Quit talking and coach the players

[kurtangle01]

I believe he'd be here like a shot if it was offered to him.

Spot on.

I wouldn't be suprised if he was holidaying in Texas sometime soon.h:

[blacky]

Well, it looks like they won't pay for the stadium themselves but I agree with you that the new stadium looks fantastic but it isn't built yet.

Of course they won't pay for the stadium.....show me an example of an owner paying for a stadium out of his own pocket!!! They are businessmen first and foremost and in this day and age to build a stadium banks are a neccesary evil. What they have done is designed a new worldclass stadium, increased capacity by 15K and got planning permission in the space of 6 months....that in itself is a phenomenal achievement.

[calvoboy]

Maybe there is a few managers who can do the job as well as Benitez, but from his point of view, there are a host of clubs who'd let him run the team his way. .

There aren't though, are there? Foreign clubs all have sporting directors who make signings while the coach runs the team, as frustrated Rafa at Valencia. So that leaves other English clubs. Wenger, Grant and Fergie are secure at the other top clubs, so where would Rafa go? He'd have more restrictions at every other club due to lack of cash, if not the same lack of complete backing.

No club in the world allows the manager total control over every aspect of the club. Even the likes of Clough and Shankly, who were widely acknowledged to be in complete control, worked under budget restrictions and couldn't always sign who they wanted.

I back Rafa totally, and would be distraught if he left, but I think he is being a bit childish on this one. What's the problem in waiting three weeks to discuss a proper plan for January when we know how much money there is to spend? It's a lot easier to make deals when you can put the cash on the table.

[edit - and I know people will say that mid-December is too late to sort out a plan for January, but we are in pretty unique circumstances negotiating the funding for the new stadium and trying to qualify for the knock-out stages of the CL. When Arsenal were in the same situation funding the Emirates there was a complete block on transfer spending]

[Red_Al_77]

I think Hick's statement has made up Rafa's mind as to his future (hence the change in mood). Wouldn't be surprised to see him walk soon sadly.

[calvoboy]

I think Hick's statement has made up Rafa's mind as to his future (hence the change in mood). Wouldn't be surprised to see him walk soon sadly.

Or he may have been given the reassurance that there will be money to spend in January on each of the positions he wants to strengthen, and that he just needs to wait a few weeks to find out how much.

[FatTony]

Not true.

The stadium fella.
They played a blinder on that issue.
Tore up the crap plans that were there and made sure a state of the art stadium is being set up, and not with a 60000 max capacity either.

You gotta give them that one, and when costs have doubled as well.


Just because they **** up somethings doesn't mean they **** up on every issue. It is not black and white.

The better the stadium the more potential profits in either selling the business or increasing revenue. You have to know on which side they sit to make a judgement.

[tomasjj]

The better the stadium the more potential profits in either selling the business or increasing revenue. You have to know on which side they sit to make a judgement.

Well, naturally, but it is not like the stadium is only a good thing for the owners and their business and profit interests.

[Red_Al_77]

Or he may have been given the reassurance that there will be money to spend in January on each of the positions he wants to strengthen, and that he just needs to wait a few weeks to find out how much.

What so Hicks slagged him off in public and then gave him reassurance over the phone?

[dom9]

The better the stadium the more potential profits in either selling the business or increasing revenue. You have to know on which side they sit to make a judgement.

The bigger the stadium the more potential profits.

[tomasjj]

I think Hick's statement has made up Rafa's mind as to his future (hence the change in mood). Wouldn't be surprised to see him walk soon sadly.

How unusual for you to put his bettered mood it in such a perspective

[calvoboy]

What so Hicks slagged him off in public and then gave him reassurance over the phone?

Rafa slags them off
Hicks slags Rafa off
After they've calmed down they both shake hands and make up over the phone...

Given the situation descended into a playground slanging match, it wouldn't surprise me. No-one knows though.

[bazza76]

I think Hick's statement has made up Rafa's mind as to his future (hence the change in mood). Wouldn't be surprised to see him walk soon sadly.

change of mood? Have I missed something?. Has he changed his mood to good again?.

[FatTony]

The bigger the stadium the more potential profits.

A better stadium has more seats, cheaper overheads, more capacity for future development and smells like a sunday roast.

[dom9]

A better stadium has more seats, cheaper overheads, more capacity for future development and smells like a sunday roast.

A better stadium commercially is one that cost less to build and has more seats.

A better studium for me is one that looks great (unique in fact), generates a brilliant atmosphere and is a world class piece of architechture, as well as being bigger.

[Howard_lfc]

Just to state my position: I'm with Hicks & Gillette on this one.