Rafa Benitez assured in ‘positive’ meeting

[Bender]

Dec 17 2007

by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post
RAFAEL BENITEZ last night received further assurances over his immediate future after a “positive” meeting with Liverpool’s owners.

Benitez faced Tom Hicks and George Gillett last night following the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United that left them nine points behind the champions and 10 adrift of leaders Arsenal, who beat Chelsea by a single goal later in the day.

Despite the apparent need for Benitez to strengthen his squad in January in an attempt to re-ignite Liverpool’s Premier League challenge, the Spaniard revealed prior to the talk that the issue of transfer funds was not on the agenda.

And he also insisted that the defeat to United – the fourth in succession his side has suffered to Sir Alex Ferguson’s men in the league – would have no effect on his clear-the-air talks with American duo.

“It is a meeting for talking about the future, not just one game,” said Benitez. “We will try to clarify the misunderstanding and we need to clarify the situation for the future, but not about the money we can spend or not.

“It is just to know what position we are in now and I go into it with confidence.

“We will talk about the problems and solutions and afterwards we will say something if necessary.”

Liverpool then released a statement last night that suggested the parties had ironed out the differences which were made public last month.

It read: “A meeting was held this evening involving Tom Hicks, George Gillett, Foster Gillett, Rick Parry and Rafa Benitez which was wide-ranging and positive.

“The discussions were amicable and constructive. All those present are united in their desire to bring further success to the club.”

[CAD]

But Rushian is never wrong??!

[Guest]

But Rushian is never wrong??!

As if this statement would kill all rumours. Hardly backing Rafa 100% isn't it ?

[CAD]

Liverpool then released a statement last night that suggested the parties had ironed out the differences which were made public last month.


It read: “A meeting was held this evening involving Tom Hicks, George Gillett, Foster Gillett, Rick Parry and Rafa Benitez which was wide-ranging and positive.


“The discussions were amicable and constructive. All those present are united in their desire to bring further success to the club.”

[Tom]

The statement is completely neutral.

[Guest]

Liverpool then released a statement last night that suggested the parties had ironed out the differences which were made public last month.


It read: “A meeting was held this evening involving Tom Hicks, George Gillett, Foster Gillett, Rick Parry and Rafa Benitez which was wide-ranging and positive.


“The discussions were amicable and constructive. All those present are united in their desire to bring further success to the club.”

Nothing ground breaking in that statement and certainly not a '100% behind Rafa' kind of statement. Concessions were probably made.

[Dhav]

The statement is completely neutral.

Yes, and could be easily spun both ways, so in my eyes it clears up nothing.

The way I see things, (and no doubt Niall will accuse me of jumping in at the deep end with no evidence whatsoever and making a fool of myself), it appears at some point they decided to get rid of Rafa but for whatever reason they have granted him a stay of execution, may be because results have not been bad enough to justify his sacking or because of the obvious support he has from the fans. And since then they have been looking to intensify the pressure on him as much as they possibly can, almost to precipitate his departure. It's the only reason I can think of why they haven't given him the ringing endorsement publicly that will kill all the speculation stone dead and instead have been releasing these non-descript statements that serve only to fan the flames.

[Tom]

Basically it comes down to this. If they are not prepared to give rafa control over transfers it's not going to be good.

[AFII]

Basically it comes down to this. If they are not prepared to give rafa control over transfers it's not going to be good.

Rafa will probably walk if that would be the case.

[Red Chilli]

Rafa will probably walk if that would be the case.

Then he's not the man for LFC and I will lose a great deal of respect for him.

[Dhav]

Basically it comes down to this. If they are not prepared to give rafa control over transfers it's not going to be good.

Indeed. Was surprising to read Rafa's comments on Sat where he said it was clear that his role at the club had now changed and that we needed to analyse why, it certainly seems to tie-in with reports of Parry being in charge of transfer negotiations etc. Either way, what Rafa needs is backing, both moral support and financial backing. If they're not willing to give either then I can see Rafa going, because I'm sure promises had been made to him in the past that he would get both.

I'm willing to bet as well that their less than fulsome backing of Rafa with transfer funds is an indication of financial difficulties and a tightening of the purse strings that is likely to last a while, which means we'll probably end up falling further behind the top 2. And if that is the case, then it makes no sense in sacking him and incurring those extra expenses that will no doubt entail.

[Skillz]

Basically it comes down to this. If they are not prepared to give rafa control over transfers it's not going to be good.

I think the real problem is Rafa wanting to play such a big part in the negotiations. As far as picking who the targets are I doubt they would leave that Coco. Problem is Rafa doesn't trust RP to seal the deals IMO.

[AFII]

Then he's not the man for LFC and I will lose a great deal of respect for him.

Do you think Wenger or Fergie would accept not being in control of the transfers?

I don't.

What G&H need to do is to give Rafa full control of the transfers and give him a transfer budget. Then it's up to Rafa to build his team with the money he gets plus from the money he gets from the players he sells.

[Skillz]

Indeed. Was surprising to read Rafa's comments on Sat where he said it was clear that his role at the club had now changed and that we needed to analyse why, it certainly seems to tie-in with reports of Parry being in charge of transfer negotiations etc. Either way, what Rafa needs is backing, both moral support and financial backing. If they're not willing to give either then I can see Rafa going, because I'm sure promises had been made to him in the past that he would get both.

I'm willing to bet as well that their less than fulsome backing of Rafa with transfer funds is an indication of financial difficulties and a tightening of the purse strings that is likely to last a while, which means we'll probably end up falling further behind the top 2. And if that is the case, then it makes no sense in sacking him and incurring those extra expenses that will no doubt entail.

Nail on head

[Red Chilli]

Do you think Wenger or Fergie would accept not being in control of the transfers?

I don't.

What G&H need to do is to give Rafa full control of the transfers and give him a transfer budget. Then it's up to Rafa to build his team with the money he gets plus from the money he gets from the players he sells.

Anyone who walks out of LFC obviously hasn't got the cojones to do the job and is more interested in personal reputation than the good of the club.

Threatening to walk out is a different matter, actually walking out is the cowards way.

Winners never quit and quitters never win