Liverpool's two estranged American
owners? Gillett & Hicks...
Rafa Benitez was considering his Liverpool future on
Sunday night after claiming that he had been undermined by chief
executive Rick Parry. In an astonishing twist to the bickering that
is ripping Liverpool apart, furious manager Benitez demanded
answers over Parry's alleged role in the recent approach for Jurgen
Klinsmann and appeared to side with co-owner Tom Hicks in
questioning the Anfield administrator's conduct.
Benitez has so far detached himself from Anfield's boardroom
feud, but is now privately airing misgivings over whether he can
continue working alongside Parry. He could not contain his anger
after learning that Parry not only attended last November's meeting
at Klinsmann's California home but helped set it up. Benitez knew
joint-owners Hicks and George Gillett were there, and Klinsmann was
effectively offered his job, but was unaware of Parry's input.
Benitez said: 'I was surprised to read about some meeting with
another manager. More to the point, I was surprised by who was
apparently at that meeting. 'I want answers. I feel my situation is
being undermined by it, and that is why I want some clarification.
I need to speak to members of the board. All of them. I don't know
when. Could it be a matter of days? It could be hours.'
Hicks put Parry in the frame after being riled by the Anfield
chief's claim that the ongoing row was 'offensive' towards Benitez,
the players and supporters. Hicks said: 'I did not hear him say it
was offensive when George Gillett gave his radio interview telling
the world our relationship had become unbearable. I did not hear
Gillett or Parry say they were the ones who set up the Klinsmann
meeting, yet both were there, along with Foster Gillett, myself and
my son. Rick allowed all the controversy to build up without taking
any responsibility.'
The fear for Liverpool is that Benitez could be ripe for an
approach from Real Madrid or Barcelona at the end of the season.
Hicks said: 'I will formally request George's approval to terminate
Rick's contract. If he chooses not to, the record will be clear.
'Rick Parry has been Liverpool's CEO for 10 years and we haven't
won a league championship under his leadership. Our commercial
revenues have not kept up with other top clubs during that time,
which has made it very difficult to compete for the Premier
League.
'After watching him operate, I came to the conclusion it was
time to ask him to resign, due to his inability to manage an
organisation, his seemingly arrogant attitude to our supporters and
his lack of communication with Rafa. 'I reached my decision a few
weeks ago but waited until after the games against Everton and
Arsenal. It is important to try to have a new CEO by May so we can
begin working with Rafa on player transfers.'