Re: Is this really the end?
Anfield crisis deepens
David Maddock 26/11/2007
If there was one thing made painfully clear in the statement issued by Tom Hicks yesterday, it was that Liverpool have lost faith in their manager.
There was no backing for Rafa Benitez, no attempt to appease him or find a solution to the civil war ripping the club apart. Instead, there was a suggestion merely that talks will be held on December 16.
If he survives until then, Benitez must believe right now that he will be picking up his cards on December 17, because his position is untenable.
The American owners of Anfield do not believe he is the man to deliver them the Premier League title the club's support has craved for 17 years.
They do not believe he can be entrusted with money to sign new players, or even with the power to bring in Bosman free transfers, because there is a real doubt the manager will be in place at the beginning of next season.
And that is the crux of the current crisis. Hicks and his partner George Gillett have no plans to sack Benitez immediately, but they have little faith he can deliver the title that would make his position secure.
Hence the ban on all transfer activity and the request for the manager to concentrate on his coaching role.
They do not want him spending money or bringing in yet more players, because they believe another man will be at the helm next season, and that would be a waste of resources.
The problem is, Benitez saw the writing on the wall and came out fighting, revealing to the world the battle behind the scenes.
Speaking over the weekend, he explained his position and launched a fresh attack - not only on the owners but also on chief executive Rick Parry.
He said: "They don't understand what the transfer window means. It is not like a draft pick.
"They need to understand how difficult it is to sign a player and, when the possibility comes, you must do it or you will lose him. "Mr Hicks wants the best for the club and we want the best for the club.
"I wasn't asking about spending money - I was asking about free players. Hicks wants the best for the club - me too. I've been here three years and I know football in Europe and the passion for the club.
"We need to talk to agents and sign players now. If we don't we will lose targets and need to do something in the summer which would be far more expensive. Hopefully it will be resolved."
Benitez had a meeting with the owners last month and says: "It was really, really positive, but after this meeting something changed. "I tried to explain my ideas and they told me to keep focusing on the team because Rick Parry is in charge of buying and selling players.
"I'm sure Mr Hicks knows what I want. I have a very good squad and want to improve it. I didn't talk about money - I was thinking about bringing money in."
The problem for Benitez is two-fold. Not only has he angered the Americans with his outbursts, but he has also engineered a complete breakdown of relations with Parry.
The pair barely speak, and the reality is that one will have to go for the other to survive.
Given that Gillett, in particular, is close to Parry there is only one outcome. But Benitez could still save himself, although his latest attacks would suggest he is not inclined to do so. The Spanish coach could expect to extend his stay at Anfield if he backs down, and issues what would amount to an apology, while accepting he will be limited to a coaching role with Parry in charge of all financial affairs.
But it is unlikely. As a young coach at Extremadura and Tenerife Benitez's exit was preceded by a row over control and it was the same and most bitter of all at Valencia before the Spaniard's arrival at Anfield.
Now that situation has arisen again, and the same outcome seems inevitable, although there is another manner in which Benitez could save his job. Winning the Premier League.
*****
So, what do we all think? G&T always planned to replace Rafa anyway and so don't want to give him any more transfer money? That would be useful having G&T making these sorts of decisions for the good of our club!
Anfield crisis deepens
David Maddock 26/11/2007
If there was one thing made painfully clear in the statement issued by Tom Hicks yesterday, it was that Liverpool have lost faith in their manager.
There was no backing for Rafa Benitez, no attempt to appease him or find a solution to the civil war ripping the club apart. Instead, there was a suggestion merely that talks will be held on December 16.
If he survives until then, Benitez must believe right now that he will be picking up his cards on December 17, because his position is untenable.
The American owners of Anfield do not believe he is the man to deliver them the Premier League title the club's support has craved for 17 years.
They do not believe he can be entrusted with money to sign new players, or even with the power to bring in Bosman free transfers, because there is a real doubt the manager will be in place at the beginning of next season.
And that is the crux of the current crisis. Hicks and his partner George Gillett have no plans to sack Benitez immediately, but they have little faith he can deliver the title that would make his position secure.
Hence the ban on all transfer activity and the request for the manager to concentrate on his coaching role.
They do not want him spending money or bringing in yet more players, because they believe another man will be at the helm next season, and that would be a waste of resources.
The problem is, Benitez saw the writing on the wall and came out fighting, revealing to the world the battle behind the scenes.
Speaking over the weekend, he explained his position and launched a fresh attack - not only on the owners but also on chief executive Rick Parry.
He said: "They don't understand what the transfer window means. It is not like a draft pick.
"They need to understand how difficult it is to sign a player and, when the possibility comes, you must do it or you will lose him. "Mr Hicks wants the best for the club and we want the best for the club.
"I wasn't asking about spending money - I was asking about free players. Hicks wants the best for the club - me too. I've been here three years and I know football in Europe and the passion for the club.
"We need to talk to agents and sign players now. If we don't we will lose targets and need to do something in the summer which would be far more expensive. Hopefully it will be resolved."
Benitez had a meeting with the owners last month and says: "It was really, really positive, but after this meeting something changed. "I tried to explain my ideas and they told me to keep focusing on the team because Rick Parry is in charge of buying and selling players.
"I'm sure Mr Hicks knows what I want. I have a very good squad and want to improve it. I didn't talk about money - I was thinking about bringing money in."
The problem for Benitez is two-fold. Not only has he angered the Americans with his outbursts, but he has also engineered a complete breakdown of relations with Parry.
The pair barely speak, and the reality is that one will have to go for the other to survive.
Given that Gillett, in particular, is close to Parry there is only one outcome. But Benitez could still save himself, although his latest attacks would suggest he is not inclined to do so. The Spanish coach could expect to extend his stay at Anfield if he backs down, and issues what would amount to an apology, while accepting he will be limited to a coaching role with Parry in charge of all financial affairs.
But it is unlikely. As a young coach at Extremadura and Tenerife Benitez's exit was preceded by a row over control and it was the same and most bitter of all at Valencia before the Spaniard's arrival at Anfield.
Now that situation has arisen again, and the same outcome seems inevitable, although there is another manner in which Benitez could save his job. Winning the Premier League.
*****
So, what do we all think? G&T always planned to replace Rafa anyway and so don't want to give him any more transfer money? That would be useful having G&T making these sorts of decisions for the good of our club!
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