Parry off to the US [Talk of 'Rafa Summit Meeting' denied]

[blacky]

From The TimesJanuary 8, 2008

Rafael Benitez proves a hot topic in New YorkOliver Kay
Rafael BenÍtez was close to securing a £6.5 million deal to sign Martin Skrtel, the Zenit St Petersburg defender, last night, but his long-term prospects as Liverpool manager appear bleaker than ever before a critical board meeting in New York today.

Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, Liverpool’s American owners, will meet Rick Parry, the chief executive, in a meeting that was ostensibly called to discuss plans and ways to finance the club’s proposed new stadium in Stanley Park. The future of BenÍtez is not officially on the agenda, but it is certain to be discussed, with sources indicating last night that the relationship between manager and board is more strained than ever and that a parting of the ways is only a matter of time.

Barring a dramatic development at today’s meeting, BenÍtez is expected to stay in charge for the remainder of the season, but he is increasingly aware that his days at Liverpool are numbered. Even if the signing of Skrtel, the Slovakia defender, would appear to represent a vote of confidence in the manager, BenÍtez has little doubt that Hicks and Gillett are plotting to replace him, with rumours in the football community - although not yet from within Anfield – continuing to link Jürgen Klinsmann, the former Germany coach, with Merseyside.

It is not clear whether Liverpool have a serious interest in Klinsmann or if the 43-year-old would be prepared to turn his back on his life in California, where he works as vice-president for Soccer Solutions, a consultancy firm, but there have been indications from Germany that he is eager to return to management in Europe.

Related Links
Two men on a tightrope
Benitez on defensive over expectations
Beyond the issue of BenÍtez’s future, Hicks and Gillett, whose working relationship has run far from smoothly, are under serious pressure to refinance the £270 million loan that they used to buy the club last February. The loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland expires next month and a new refinancing deal is imperative if the Americans are to have any hope of delivering the new stadium that they promised at the time of their takeover

[Johnny]

From The TimesJanuary 8, 2008

Rafael Benitez proves a hot topic in New YorkOliver Kay
Rafael BenÍtez was close to securing a £6.5 million deal to sign Martin Skrtel, the Zenit St Petersburg defender, last night, but his long-term prospects as Liverpool manager appear bleaker than ever before a critical board meeting in New York today.

Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, Liverpool’s American owners, will meet Rick Parry, the chief executive, in a meeting that was ostensibly called to discuss plans and ways to finance the club’s proposed new stadium in Stanley Park. The future of BenÍtez is not officially on the agenda, but it is certain to be discussed, with sources indicating last night that the relationship between manager and board is more strained than ever and that a parting of the ways is only a matter of time.

Barring a dramatic development at today’s meeting, BenÍtez is expected to stay in charge for the remainder of the season, but he is increasingly aware that his days at Liverpool are numbered. Even if the signing of Skrtel, the Slovakia defender, would appear to represent a vote of confidence in the manager, BenÍtez has little doubt that Hicks and Gillett are plotting to replace him, with rumours in the football community - although not yet from within Anfield – continuing to link Jürgen Klinsmann, the former Germany coach, with Merseyside.

It is not clear whether Liverpool have a serious interest in Klinsmann or if the 43-year-old would be prepared to turn his back on his life in California, where he works as vice-president for Soccer Solutions, a consultancy firm, but there have been indications from Germany that he is eager to return to management in Europe.

Related Links
Two men on a tightrope
Benitez on defensive over expectations
Beyond the issue of BenÍtez’s future, Hicks and Gillett, whose working relationship has run far from smoothly, are under serious pressure to refinance the £270 million loan that they used to buy the club last February. The loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland expires next month and a new refinancing deal is imperative if the Americans are to have any hope of delivering the new stadium that they promised at the time of their takeover

What a crap piece of Journalism,completly devoid of FACTS.

[sonsofthedesert]

What a crap piece of Journalism,completly devoid of FACTS.

Yeah but it has a lot of opinion and sources in Germany. When will you learn that if you want LFC facts you got to Germany AFII or Radish

[kurtangle01]

From The TimesJanuary 8, 2008

Rafael Benitez proves a hot topic in New York Oliver Kay
Rafael BenÍtez was close to securing a £6.5 million deal to sign Martin Skrtel, the Zenit St Petersburg defender, last night, but his long-term prospects as Liverpool manager appear bleaker than ever before a critical board meeting in New York today.

Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, Liverpool’s American owners, will meet Rick Parry, the chief executive, in a meeting that was ostensibly called to discuss plans and ways to finance the club’s proposed new stadium in Stanley Park. The future of BenÍtez is not officially on the agenda, but it is certain to be discussed, with sources indicating last night that the relationship between manager and board is more strained than ever and that a parting of the ways is only a matter of time.

Barring a dramatic development at today’s meeting, BenÍtez is expected to stay in charge for the remainder of the season, but he is increasingly aware that his days at Liverpool are numbered. Even if the signing of Skrtel, the Slovakia defender, would appear to represent a vote of confidence in the manager, BenÍtez has little doubt that Hicks and Gillett are plotting to replace him, with rumours in the football community - although not yet from within Anfield – continuing to link Jürgen Klinsmann, the former Germany coach, with Merseyside.

It is not clear whether Liverpool have a serious interest in Klinsmann or if the 43-year-old would be prepared to turn his back on his life in California, where he works as vice-president for Soccer Solutions, a consultancy firm, but there have been indications from Germany that he is eager to return to management in Europe.

Related Links
Two men on a tightrope
Benitez on defensive over expectations
Beyond the issue of BenÍtez’s future, Hicks and Gillett, whose working relationship has run far from smoothly, are under serious pressure to refinance the £270 million loan that they used to buy the club last February. The loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland expires next month and a new refinancing deal is imperative if the Americans are to have any hope of delivering the new stadium that they promised at the time of their takeover

All the highlighted words are put in there to make the story sound even more dramatic.

In actual fact, despite him knowing Moores, Oliver Kay is speculating and dressing it up as fact. Just another scumbag journalist earning a crust.

[Jayesh87]

Klinsmann is Kop target as Rafa's future looks bleaker
EXCLUSIVE by JOHN EDWARDS

Jurgen Klinsmann has emerged as the front runner to become Liverpool's next manager.

Klinsmann can count on influential support within Anfield if owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett decide to sack Rafa Benitez in the wake of weekend claims that the Spaniard fears he will be axed at the end of the season.

Sportsmail understands Liverpool's American owners, in particular Gillett, see the German as an ideal choice should they finally run out of patience with Benitez over what is being viewed as more agitating by the former Valencia coach.

Although the widely reported quotes about his misgivings were not attributed to him, the manager's attempts to distance himself from them have been called into question in Anfield circles.

If Gillett and Hicks conclude that he was instrumental in causing more turmoil behind the scenes, it could hasten his departure when the pair meet chief executive Rick Parry today to discuss his increasingly precarious position.

As the Americans considered whether they dare risk an angry backlash from pro-Benitez fans, backing for Klinsmann appeared to be gathering momentum.

Gillett is believed to be a fervent admirer of the former Germany striker, who has taken a break from football at his home in Newport Beach, near Los Angeles, since quitting as his country's national coach in the wake of a successful World Cup campaign 18 months ago.

He was said by friends to have been 'very interested' in the England job that eventually went to Fabio Capello and is now eager to take the reins at a top European club with a tradition of challenging for honours.

'He is very keen to work again and is actually getting quite restless,' said a source close to the former Tottenham striker. 'There was no official contact from the FA about the England post, but the Liverpool job would appeal to him.'

Klinsmann's knowledge of English football and command of the language would also count in his favour should Benitez's sense of foreboding prove well founded.

His coaching prowess came to the fore in last summer's World Cup, when he galvanised a Germany squad written off as no-hopers and guided them to the semi-finals where they suffered an extra-time defeat to eventual champions Italy.

With Benitez, who has been at the helm for three-and-a-half years, evidently resigned to being on borrowed time, Jose Mourinho has also let it be known he would respond favourably to any approach from Anfield.

The former Chelsea boss has indicated to friends that replacing the under-pressure Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona is far and away his prime objective but he has also admitted to a growing frustration at his continued inactivity.

Anfield apparently figures on his top-three list of preferred destinations, but Hicks and Gillett may think twice about dismissing a manager for trying to exert too much control and turning to one who is renowned for operating in the same way.

As Benitez waited for the outcome of today's meeting in America, called initially to assess progress over a new stadium but expanded to take in the latest outburst over the Spaniard's deteriorating relationship with the owners, it transpired there may be some doubt over a perceived £6million pay-out for being sacked.

It was initially thought Benitez would be in line for such a windfall under the terms of his contract, but Anfield chiefs feel they are not duty bound to pay that much and may dispute it.

Benitez has at least been allowed to recruit the central defender he needs after putting the finishing touches to a £6.5m move for 23-year-old Zenit St Petersburg's Martin Skrtel.

While his arrival provides Benitez with the defensive options he has been lacking, the contentious issue of Javier Mascherano's future remains unresolved.

Benitez has been denied the £17m required to turn the Argentina midfielder's loan move into a permanent transfer for the time being and there are fears that Barcelona or Juventus could see it as an opportunity to prise him away.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...79&ito=newsnow

[AFII]

Yeah but it has a lot of opinion and sources in Germany. When will you learn that if you want LFC facts you got to Germany AFII or Radish

When will people start to read my whole posts. I have probably said a million times that when I mean that something is a fact then I will use the word fact.

More or less everyone knows that but some deluded peoples decide for their own personal reasons to have a go at me.

If you decide that all my gossip from my German journo friend at Kicker is fact then you are really deluded. You don't take gossip from a journo as fact.

[sonsofthedesert]

When will people start to read my whole posts. I have probably said a million times that when I mean that something is a fact then I will use the word fact.

More or less everyone knows that but some deluded peoples decide for their own personal reasons to have a go at me.

If you decide that all my gossip from my German journo friend at Kicker is fact then you are really deluded. You don't take gossip from a journo as fact.

Yanking your chain mate. I know I've abused you in the past but on quite a few non takeover topics you make me laugh. Just wanted to add you as a joke.

[kurtangle01]

Klinsmann is Kop target as Rafa's future looks bleaker
EXCLUSIVE by JOHN EDWARDS

Jurgen Klinsmann has emerged as the front runner to become Liverpool's next manager.

Klinsmann can count on influential support within Anfield if owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett decide to sack Rafa Benitez in the wake of weekend claims that the Spaniard fears he will be axed at the end of the season.

Sportsmail understands Liverpool's American owners, in particular Gillett, see the German as an ideal choice should they finally run out of patience with Benitez over what is being viewed as more agitating by the former Valencia coach.

Although the widely reported quotes about his misgivings were not attributed to him, the manager's attempts to distance himself from them have been called into question in Anfield circles.

If Gillett and Hicks conclude that he was instrumental in causing more turmoil behind the scenes, it could hasten his departure when the pair meet chief executive Rick Parry today to discuss his increasingly precarious position.

As the Americans considered whether they dare risk an angry backlash from pro-Benitez fans, backing for Klinsmann appeared to be gathering momentum.

Gillett is believed to be a fervent admirer of the former Germany striker, who has taken a break from football at his home in Newport Beach, near Los Angeles, since quitting as his country's national coach in the wake of a successful World Cup campaign 18 months ago.

He was said by friends to have been 'very interested' in the England job that eventually went to Fabio Capello and is now eager to take the reins at a top European club with a tradition of challenging for honours.

'He is very keen to work again and is actually getting quite restless,' said a source close to the former Tottenham striker. 'There was no official contact from the FA about the England post, but the Liverpool job would appeal to him.'

Klinsmann's knowledge of English football and command of the language would also count in his favour should Benitez's sense of foreboding prove well founded.

His coaching prowess came to the fore in last summer's World Cup, when he galvanised a Germany squad written off as no-hopers and guided them to the semi-finals where they suffered an extra-time defeat to eventual champions Italy.

With Benitez, who has been at the helm for three-and-a-half years, evidently resigned to being on borrowed time, Jose Mourinho has also let it be known he would respond favourably to any approach from Anfield.

The former Chelsea boss has indicated to friends that replacing the under-pressure Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona is far and away his prime objective but he has also admitted to a growing frustration at his continued inactivity.

Anfield apparently figures on his top-three list of preferred destinations, but Hicks and Gillett may think twice about dismissing a manager for trying to exert too much control and turning to one who is renowned for operating in the same way.

As Benitez waited for the outcome of today's meeting in America, called initially to assess progress over a new stadium but expanded to take in the latest outburst over the Spaniard's deteriorating relationship with the owners, it transpired there may be some doubt over a perceived £6million pay-out for being sacked.

It was initially thought Benitez would be in line for such a windfall under the terms of his contract, but Anfield chiefs feel they are not duty bound to pay that much and may dispute it.

Benitez has at least been allowed to recruit the central defender he needs after putting the finishing touches to a £6.5m move for 23-year-old Zenit St Petersburg's Martin Skrtel.

While his arrival provides Benitez with the defensive options he has been lacking, the contentious issue of Javier Mascherano's future remains unresolved.

Benitez has been denied the £17m required to turn the Argentina midfielder's loan move into a permanent transfer for the time being and there are fears that Barcelona or Juventus could see it as an opportunity to prise him away.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...79&ito=newsnow

How would they know it's been expanded?

Sounds like Klinsmann's agent is trying to let the world know that he's looking for a job though!

[AFII]

Yanking your chain mate. I know I've abused you in the past but on quite a few non takeover topics you make me laugh. Just wanted to add you as a joke.

[Johnny]

IF and it`s a mighty IF Rafa was to leave us,Klinsman would be 19th on the list of replacements.

[kurtangle01]

IF and it`s a mighty IF Rafa was to leave us,Klinsman would be 19th on the list of replacements.

Unless they want a 'yes man'!!

[Red Chilli]

IF and it`s a mighty IF Rafa was to leave us,Klinsman would be 19th on the list of replacements.

Go on then, name the 18 in front of him, for interest's sake

[Johnny]

Go on then, name the 18 in front of him, for interest's sake

19 came into my head because I`m a golfer.


The other 18 are anybody who`s worked in PL mnagement in the last 5 yrs and are now currentky unemployed.

[Revo]

19 came into my head because I`m a golfer.

The other 18 are anybody who`s worked in PL mnagement in the last 5 yrs and are now currentky unemployed.

me bird once told me i thought more about golf than i did about making love. i told her, why wouldent i? a golf course has 18 holes

[Johnny]

me bird once told me i thought more about golf than i did about making love. i told her, why wouldent i? a golf course has 18 holes

And you can play with all off them without getting a slap in the face.