Hicks to offer Rafa a new contract tomorrow

[Sarb]

Still a ******

[Johnny]

It's all PR mate, that's all. He's been talking to Klinsmann not long ago

At a time when alot of fans were questioning Rafa`s managerial credentials.We were on a run of draws and terrible in the CL.Now he`s seen sense and offered Rafa a new contract.Aren`t you happy???

[dww]

To be honest both decisions seem like very sensible ones and if it weren't for the debt and board level disruption everyone would be behind them. It has to be said though that the place to offer a contract is behind closed doors.

Anything that is done in this style is counter productive especially with the Gillet split as everyone can see how childish it has become now. I really wish that Hicks would accept that in this case not all publicity is good publicity.

[Shaggy]

Tom Hicks set to offer Rafael Benitez new deal
James ****er

As one prominent former Liverpool player expressed last night the belief that Rafael Benítez would not be at Anfield next season, Tom Hicks, the club's controversial American co-owner, is expected to reiterate his desire to offer the manager a contract extension today as the knives are sharpened in the bitter boardroom battle.

Hicks has made repeated attempts to emphasise his support for Benítez after claiming to have resolved his differences with the Liverpool manager in the wake of revelations that he and George Gillett Jr, his fellow owner, held talks with Jürgen Klinsmann last year about the former Germany coach taking charge at Anfield.

Having indicated over the weekend that he would extend Benítez's contract, which has two years to run, Hicks is expected to offer further explanations as to why in an interview with Sky Sports this morning, although the sceptics believe that such declarations are little more than an attempt to curry favour from supporters as he seeks to drive Rick Parry, the chief executive, out of the club.

Benítez retains the backing of the fans and, by siding with the manager, Hicks believes that he will strengthen his chances of removing Parry, who has resisted the Texan's calls to resign amid support from the majority of the board, including Gillett. Whether Benítez would sign a new deal, if the offer of one is forthcoming, is another matter. Dismayed by the civil war that has engulfed the club and aware that there may be no shortage of suitors at the end of the season, especially if he can guide Liverpool to a second Champions League triumph in four seasons, Benítez may opt to walk away.

Gillett would be unlikely to support Hicks's offer of a new contract, given that he was the one who instigated the talks with Klinsmann, and that Dubai International Capital (DIC), the Arab investment consortium that is confident of taking control at the club, may favour the appointment of its own manager.

What is certain, however, is that Benítez and Parry cannot continue to work together. The pair have not seen eye to eye for a long time and the revelation over the weekend that the chief executive was present at one of the two meetings with Klinsmann served only to undermine their relationship further. Unless DIC wins control soon, or one of Benítez or Parry step down, it is difficult to see how the crisis can be resolved before the end of May, when the “first refusal” agreement between Hicks and Gillett, which dictates that one must offer the other his 50 per cent share before doing so to a third party and vice versa, comes to an end.

With that in mind, Mark Lawrenson, the former Liverpool defender, believes that Benítez may decide that enough is enough. “The problems off the pitch could give him an excuse to leave,” he said. “If they win the Champions League there would be no shortage of takers and he probably thinks, 'Why should I turn up and flog my guts out for this lot when I don't know what is going to happen next week?'”

Of more immediate concern is the Barclays Premier League match away to Fulham on Saturday. Benítez invited fierce criticism by playing a weakened team in the corresponding fixture last season, which Fulham won 1-0, a result that helped to seal Sheffield United's relegation.

But amid calls from Gary Megson, the Bolton Wanderers manager, for his Liverpool counterpart to “retain the integrity” of the league, Benítez intimated that he would not play a weakened team as he seeks to all but secure fourth place before the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Chelsea at Anfield on Tuesday. “We will think about Chelsea, but for us to be in the top four is really important and we will have enough energy to play against Chelsea,” Benítez said.

[tomasjj]

In tomorrow's Times article

[Joe King]

Tom Hicks set to offer Rafael Benitez new deal
James ****er

[Sarb]

At a time when alot of fans were questioning Rafa`s managerial credentials.We were on a run of draws and terrible in the CL.Now he`s seen sense and offered Rafa a new contract.Aren`t you happy???

No I'm not happy at all because I want Hicks out. He's using the fans love of Rafa to get them on side. He's a lying cunt. Simple as that

For me keeping Rafa isn't a reason why I'd want Hicks in charge. Hicks can **** right off. No one is bigger than the future of LFC. Not even Rafa. And Hicks is bad for the future of LFC

[Jayesh87]

Hicks is still a cunt

[Sarb]

Hicks is still a cunt

[Roboklopp]

So the source is Lawro. Great.

[Roboklopp]

What makes them so certian Gillett & DIC want rid of Rafa?

[Joe King]

So the source is Lawro. Great.

He is as tabloid as the rest of them.

[Norbs]

PR Stunt. If Rafa turns it down then Hicks will say he tried his best to keep him. Plus, why is it suddenly Hicks that's calling the shots, surely it's a joint decision?

[Dhav]

Erm, does Hicks have the authority to offer Rafa a new deal without a resolution of the board?

I dont think so. Which makes this an empty gesture, a pr stunt.

**** off Hicks, we're not so easily won over or so gullible.

Lying *******s out. Now.

[Dirk07]

One thing I don't really understand is why is it regularly suggested that Gillette does not want Rafa?

I could understand that earlier in the season when it appeared things were going wrong to someone without previous football knowledge but surely Rafa is seen as being just as big an asset as Gerard or Torres.

Gillette is a business man first and foremost so why wouldn’t he want to protect such a vital part of his investment.

Or is every time this is brought up just lazy journalism?