Rafa wants to mirror Real
By Alex Livie - Created on 7 Feb 2007
Rafa Benitez is calling for Liverpool to follow Real Madrid's
blueprint to success.
A new chapter in Liverpool's famous history began on Tuesday when
American businessmen George Gillett and Tom Hicks assumed control
of the club.
Benitez claims to have held a positive meeting with the duo and is
happy with their vision for the club.
"We spoke a lot about the future of the club, and by the end I was
very happy with what the people said," Benitez told the Liverpool
Echo "I was convinced they want the best for the club.
"They recognised they need to change a lot of things. There are
some aspects of Liverpool which must also remain the same, but it's
clear where we can improve. This is a club which has a great
history, but also has a great potential."
The Spanish tactician feels Liverpool need to revamp their
off-field activities if they are to challenge the major players and
has cited Real as the benchmark.
"Liverpool is a club which can improve and grow, by keeping the
ideas which have made us strong, and making improvements where they
are needed.
"For example, how many club shops do we have around the world? We
should be doing more in areas such as Asia, or even Spain where we
are very popular.
"There is a big difference between the commercial side of a club
like Liverpool or Real Madrid. The people in Madrid are able not
only to sell shirts around the world, but the name of Real Madrid
has made a lot of money over the years.
"Maybe Liverpool can not be as big as Real Madrid off the pitch,
but they can learn from what clubs like this have done and become
one of the biggest clubs in the world off the pitch as well as on
it."
