Tom Hicks Opens Up On Rafa’s Signing
Filed under: Liverpool, Rafa Benitez, Tom Hicks
Liverpool Co - Owner Tom Hicks has admitted that while he is over the moon about Rafa Benitez re - upping with the Reds for five more years, the Spaniard WILL NOT have total control over the Transfer kitty as has been earlier reported and the main stumbling block over the initial round of negotiations.
Via Gaurdian
“Rafa has such a passion for Liverpool. I looked him in the eyes and I knew he’d sign,” he told Sky Sports.
Hicks pointed out that the board has backed Benitez in the past when he has wanted to bring players to the club and highlighted the capture of Martin Skrtel, Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano and Yossi Benayoun. “We even signed Robbie Keane,” he said. “But that didn’t work out.”
“I sat down with Rafa a couple of months ago and he made it very clear that he knows a manager can’t have control over transfer budget,” he said. “He has had his frustrations over the last five years and those are well chronicled but he will make the recommendations about which players we sign and the new CEO, the owners and the board will make the final financial commitment. And that is the way it needs to be.”
When explaining why the contract negotiations took so long Hicks said: “I’ve never been worried about whether he would sign because Rafa has such a passion for the club but these things are complicated and I’m relieved we got it done. Rafa knows he has to operate to a budget and that will be set every year on revenues and that will be improved when we move into the new stadium. He has a tremendous hunger and desire to bring more success to the club - success our fans and everyone connected with the club deserves.”
the Spaniard WILL NOT have total control over the Transfer kitty as has been earlier reported and the main stumbling block over the initial round of negotiations.
Rafa stated publicly a long time ago that he didnt want full control……….. It was however a swipe at Rick Parry, because it took him forever to pull his thumb out of his arse to do anything.
5 more years of no titles !
So if Liverpool win the title will you stop posting on here?
Maybe you should stop posting, Guv.
I would say yes, but they havent won the prem in nearly 20 years…I just dont think Rafa has it in him to do lead them there.
oh and btw…i mean premiership titles…not UEFA, FA, or Carling
Well done “everyone else”, you got everyone to back you didn’t you? Clown.
It’s a good shout Tim, I will take anything we can get, but the Prem is the one, whats nice is that we’ve challenged properly for the first time in years, we don’t have the squad depth like United quite yet, but the improvement over the last 5 years has been great, I would hope that with a few more genuine additions, and by that I mean players that can fill the gap if a Torres or Gerrard are out, that we would turn those poor draws against the Stokes & Hulls into 1-0 wins, just like United do.
You know what they say about arguing on the internets!
I know what you mean Guv, it will be hard for them to get that depth though, Babel is a great talen but he doesnt cut it…although I must admit, I really like the talent of Benayoun. I havent seen him have a bad match to be honest. I dont think he gets enough playing time either. Hopefully, this offseason the liverbirds can get some players to help out in the scoring dept. Is there anyone on defense youd sacrifice? Skrtel is a beast.
and by sacrifice I mean sell to get someone better possibly.
I think Liverpool are in need of a right back to challenge Arbeloa, in the middle Hyypia isn’t getting any younger, so Carra, Skrtel and Agger are very much needed, Left back we are in good shape, Aurelio, Dossena and the young lad Insua have all improved as the season has progressed.
I agree about Babel, only shown bits and pieces so far, but he wants to play up front and not on the wing, would prefer to keep him and give him a chance more centrally.
Liverpool v. Chelsea in the Champs draw today !
Anyone in mind youd like to have help out Gerrard? What about Barry? Or maybe if Man U dont resign Tevez…maybe Liverpool will try and scoop him up as to help Torres? It would be a good move…the Man U fans would hate him…but hell who cares.
Tevez would be a great player, although at this moment and time a dirty red, you cant but help love him when he’s on song! 32 million though is pretty much the whole of the budget for liverpool for next season! Barry is a poor man’s Alonso in my opinion. I’m a huge fan of the 2 Davids at Valencia, Villa would be to much for us, but Silva is brilliant and would hope that he’s cheaper than Villa, I like the look of Aaron Lennon, seems to have won the battle with David Bentley to start of the right for Spurs