The glums: Rick Parry (left) kept in the background
by Rafa Benitez at a match earlier this season
Rafa Benitez denied he had engineered Rick Parry’s
Anfield demise on Friday, insisting: ‘I never said I wanted him
out.’ Parry’s shock decision to quit as chief executive at the end
of the season was widely interpreted as a personal triumph for
Benitez in a power struggle that has dominated events at
Liverpool all
season.
But the Liverpool manager hit back at suggestions he may have
been instrumental in it, saying: ‘There are no winners and losers
in this and Rick’s position was never an issue in my contract
negotiations.’
To back up Benitez’s claims, it has emerged Parry agreed to step
aside after accepting that his relationship with co-owner Tom Hicks
had reached breaking point and was beyond repair.
Hicks, after failing to unearth any suitable candidates to buy
out himself and co-owner George Gillett, is believed to have
contacted Parry and put it to him that they could not continue
working together.
Parry, though a lifelong Liverpool fan who admitted to feeling
‘proud and privileged’ to have had 12 years in the Anfield
boardroom, conceded their differences were irretrievable and agreed
to leave at the end of the season ‘by mutual consent’.
Benitez revealed he was ‘very close’ to signing a new four
and-a-half year deal but was adamant it had nothing to do with the
54-year-old’s imminent departure.
‘I don’t see why people are making out that I have won in some
way,’ he said. If the owners make a decision like this, then
someone else will come in and we will carry on working together. ‘I
will not have any say in who replaces Rick. My responsibility is
football issues, nothing more, and I will carry on with those
responsibilities.
'The owners have to choose another person. ‘But if you ask me
whether Rick leaving makes it more likely I will agree a new
contract, the answer is no, not really. 'I have never said I
will not sign a new deal if Rick Parry stays.
'I am surprised people are saying I did, because it has never
happened. ‘I know what has gone on in those discussions and it has
been entirely to do with football issues. 'We have talked and will
continue to, but what has happened with Rick will have no bearing
on the outcome.
‘There have been a lot of rumours and text messages flying
around, but I only found out about Rick this morning. 'I was told
two minutes before training started, so really my thoughts were
full of how long Fernando Torres might be out and whether Steven
Gerrard might be fit to face
Middlesbrough.
‘It is something I cannot control, and I have to think about the
rest of the club and what is best for everyone. 'Clearly, there are
a lot of important games in the three months left, and I will carry
on working positively with Rick during that time.
'After that, I will wish him all the best, but in the meantime,
we will work together. ‘I was with Rick in Madrid and we speak
every week —maybe two or three times —but our relationship is good
and professional.’
Referring to his own immediate future, after one bookmaker
suspended betting on Wednesday that he would quit or be sacked,
Benitez said: ‘After hearing that I wanted to be absolutely clear
that I had no thoughts about leaving, especially at this stage with
so much to play for.
As for my contract, I have one year left and there will be more
conversations in the next few days. We are very close.’
Commercial director Ian Ayre and finance director Phil Nash are
early front runners to succeed Parry, though former FA chief Brian
Barwick could also come under consideration.