Rafa on thin ice

Last updated: 26th November 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rafa on thin ice

Ia Ridley: Dignity and reputation

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Despite a 3-0 thrashing of Newcastle at St. James' Park on Saturday, life is not all sweetness and light for Rafa Benitez at Liverpool.

Conversations and arguments that would have best taken place behind closed doors have been aired in public this week and it appears that the relationship between manager and owners, Americans George Gillett and Tom Hicks, is strained to say the least.

The News of the World told us on Sunday morning that Rafa will be axed, so the Sunday Supplement asked the question to the Daily Mail's Ian Ridley... Will he?

Ridley said: "Well it is an interesting story and what is doubly interesting is the byline on it. It is Chris Bascombe who is very well connected on Merseyside, he has been there for years and knows a lot of people and has very good information.

"I was at Derby yesterday where Billy Davies, who nobody pays much notice of, but he came out with a similar rant about what's going on at Derby and how he needs more money.

"As I was listening to this I was thinking this bloke is asking to be paid up here. He can't do it, he knows he is not going to get the money and he wants to get out with his dignity and his reputation in tact.

"I am just wondering with Benitez if there is an element of that behind this. I think the Americans are getting fed up with it. 'Look we gave you Torres, we gave you what you wanted in the summer. We heard all this after the European Cup final, we've done it. Concentrate on winning games!'

"They have got a stadium to think about, big plans for the club and I don't know... He is on thin ice."

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Comments (45)

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Tom Andrews (Liverpool fan) says...

A note to all involved. Sort this little dispute out queitly and in a 'Liverpool' manner. Which is behind closed doors and not drawing attention to ourselves. We are a family club of morals and standards, lets not lower our tone to the level of so many other clubs. Rafa has to stay . . . Liverpool must concentrate on their Football as we still have improvements to make. Keep Rafa, don't take another step backwards now . . .

Posted 09:33 28th November 2007

Nicolas Laurent (Liverpool fan) says...

Someone is remaining silent in this dramatic story and his silence is not a good sign. This person is Rick Parry. Is he supporting the manager or the owners? Maybe he is afraid to support Rafa and lose his job. But as a liverpool supporter, aren't you supposed to do what is best for your club, to win trophies? Or is it about self interests. I would also like to know the opinion of Mr Moores. He is the Honorary President of Liverpool and a genuine fan. He sold the club because he was not able to support Rafa financially. But these Americans do not seem to be able to support Rafa financially too. Mr Hicks does not want to invest more at Liverpool in the transfer kitty but seems more willing to acquire other clubs in other sports. Liverpool is one of the greatest football clubs in the world and we have a world class manager. We have world class supporters and we need world class owners. Come on Rafa, keep asking. Fans will never let you down and will support you as you are loyal, committed, astute, a football scholar, the genius that brought the big ears back home and you love LFC. You'll never walk alone!!!

Posted 09:21 28th November 2007

Scott Lawrence (Liverpool fan) says...

I have a feeling this may have something to do with Mascherano!! If we leave it untill 16th of December before opening talks then the way football works now Real Madrid, Barcelona or AC Milan will be trying to lure him away from Liverpool which is not good!!! I think he is world class and to lose him will be a great loss. Not sure who he is interested in sighning but I am pretty sure this debate is mainly over mascha!!! lets hope the board don't let us lose a world class manager & midfielder as this will cause a stupid amount of unrest and if it does not get sorted out soon players will feel uneasy and it could even effect results as if a managers future is in doubt players start to doubt their futures aswell!!! Hope this is sored out ASAP!!!!

Posted 00:45 27th November 2007

Moshod Ahmed (Liverpool fan) says...

Rafa needs to strengthen with the targets he has identified for January. Normally Rafa does all this very quietly without the media, clubs or targets knowing inorder to keep the player valuation low. He does this to help the club he is working for that is LFC. He is loyal, committed and understands the needs of the club, owners and fans. He keeps the owners' purse strings tight! Why can't the owners see this and support Rafa unreservedly? Maybe, there's more to it but like the tv punters stated "LFC should not or are not known for washing their dirty linen in public". It is unfortunate that it has come to this but the real losers would be the fans and supporters who buy into this great instituition every season. The owners can't hoodwink the fans cos they haven't really invested in real terms and most of it was clawed back by Rafa anyway. Maybe Rick Parry has a lot to answer for and should not side with the owners all the time! I just hope that Rafa is more adventurous when things aren't going right during a match or finding it hard to break teams down because we could avoid unneccessary draws against Birmingham, Blackburn, Portsmouth or Chelsea! Rafa needs quality defensive cover because apart from Agger and Riise we do not have attack minded defenders or those who can weigh in with goals like John Terry, Vidic, or any of the Arsenal back four!! We NEED young, up and coming superstar defenders and wingers of flair and quality to dominate the Premiership and Champions League. So it makes business sense to purchase those players like Rafa has identified EARLY prior to valuation hikes from media speculation. Love to see a Torres -- Babel partnership! Hicks & Gillet sort out your differences and SUPPORT Rafa to mount a serious PL challenge this season cos we have no excuse as we're still in touch with the leaders. Judge Rafa at the end of the season. WE CAN DO IT.....GLORY TO LFC! Red til I die!! Mo.

Posted 15:05 26th November 2007

Wole Akinyemi (Liverpool fan) says...

There are two sides to this argument. On one hand Rafa wanting money to strenghthen the team which he is perfectly entitled to ask for. I would say that, that constitutes providing him with one of the tools to carry out the job he was employed to do. Qualification for the knockout stage of the champions league shouldn't be a criteria because I thought our focus and priority is to win the league hence he can argue that he's building to finish strong at the latter part of the season. On the other hand G&H are the owners, investors etc. They are yanks, baseball, basketball etc. They really need to understand how football in every sense be it transfers, management work in europe. Rafa will walk into any team as a manager, we know how we struggled with managers in the past i.e. Souness, Roy evans/Houllier. Please don't let Rafa walk out, but then Rafa as well should keep things in house, but by the look of things there seem to be a Blue corner (G&H, Parry), and a red corner (Rafa). He seriously needs the backing of Parry at the very least. COME ON LIVERPOOL, THIS IS OUR SEASON.

Posted 13:56 26th November 2007

Steven Wynne (Liverpool fan) says...

This little dispute needs to be managed quickly. Rick Parry seems very quiet? RB and G/H are all stubborn gits..somebody inhouse needs to take a diplomatic role fast and take the argument indoors..the tit-for-tat messages are entertaining but unsettling. This squad can win the league this year but not without Rafa.

Posted 13:18 26th November 2007

Nazmul Hussain (Liverpool fan) says...

I think if Rafa calms down a bit, he will eventually get what he wants. He has to be a little patient. I have a feeling that Rafa has some very good players oh his mind, as always. However, he needs to calm down and get together in mid-december with parry, hicks and gillet and talk to them in a good manner. he can't go out making this argument a big public issue, he has to relieve his anger. He was patient in the previou press conference and was rewarded with the scalp and thrashing of Newcastle. Things are looking up for 'pool, but Rafa has to have that patience. He splashed out over 40mil in the summer, and those players are slowly showin their worth of money so rafa has to calm down. I believe Hicks and Gillet will let Rafa buy those players he has in mind, e.g the free players. On a higher note, Liverpool are showing they are "that" team. We just need to concentrate against Porto and we shud be in the driving seat...

Posted 13:14 26th November 2007

Alex Mladen (Liverpool fan) says...

Rafa needs to strengthen our squad at the back and one winger like Mancini or Quaresma could do wonders for us. GO REDS, go Rafa.

Posted 12:46 26th November 2007

Sebastian Antezana (Liverpool fan) says...

How has Rafa not been delivering the goods?? He has his team with a GAME IN HAND only 2 points away from 2nd, a chance, (albeit slight) to get through to the knock out in CL, we are in all other competitions, and we have an excellent defensive record, and looking the goods finally up front. How is that not looking after the team. This is football Gringos, we need to look to thefuture as well as the present. What I don't understand is why both camps are not united, and why they are playing this out in the media. Gillett and Hicks, do you not own a telephone? Parry needs to take on some responsibility in getting this right, because this is becoming a farce. We are going to lose the best manager in the world at the moment because of some idiots in US wanting to make some serious profits on their investments. This is football, we are Liverpool, football comes before any success in the pockets. Be like a real chairman/owner, spend and shut up!

Posted 12:02 26th November 2007

Nazir Amin (Liverpool fan) says...

Right, time for me to speak. What is going on right now in our beloved club is unbearable. Its disgraceful and embarrassing. Im not only talking about this row, but how our so called true fans have become traitors and backstabbers. Week in, week out i hear rafa getting criticized. in some case, maybe so. But overall we all know what a living legend he truly is by his success at this club already. But i knew it wouldn't take long for the foreign owners to spark a beef at the club. Mind you, i do still like them but these greedy americans are getting us in a lot of trouble by taking us in debt. 500m was it? Is this the reason why they cannot afford to give rafa a small amount of money? Thats for you to decide. Maybe they're covering their tracks so we become too blind to see and not blame them if our club goes downhill. And only mugs think sacking a good manager mid season is the ideal option just because we dropped some points. Let me tell you something now fellow kopites. Be real supportive of our team from now on and Just keep your fingers crossed and hope and pray that the gap between us and the leaders do not go bigger than 3 points come end of this year then we will have a real fight in our hands to finish the second half of the season very strong. And more importantly winning it. Rafa does know what he's doing. Although i would like to see torres and crouch partner week in week out in the prem, with the odd rest or two. Give him a chance. Hold your criticizm till christmas. GET BEHIND THE TEAM! C'MON YOU REDS! YNWA

Posted 11:43 26th November 2007

Alan Wilson (Liverpool fan) says...

I agree with the owners. Rafa needs to concentrate on the games ahead. Yes we spent a lot and made a lot back but now is the time to go on a run and win games. Why keep spending and spending, we have the squad already to win the league. Hyypia has been excellent this season and Agger is on the way back. Alonso is also close once again and Stevie G is looking awesome. Do we really need more players???? I for one don't think so. So go on Rafa and concentrate on winning trophies. Also, it ticks me off that he didn't distance himself from the England Managers job.

Posted 11:39 26th November 2007

Dave Keyes (Liverpool fan) says...

Rafa's on his way out, no question. He's picked a fight (again) knowing that he can't win it. Behind the easy-going exterior Benitez is a ruthless character who won't back down. The Americans won't back down either. Bottom line - they own the club. He'll be gone by Christmas.

Posted 10:55 26th November 2007

Nahil Velji (Liverpool fan) says...

The fact that G&H are constantly issuing statements after statements shows how amateur their approach is towards football. If Liverpool "reallly mattered" to them, then they should have flown in over the weekend and held talks with Benitez and Rick parry to solve the growing crisis. Like foreign players inavading the Premiership and effecting our National sides, the foreign owners are destroying our clubs' traditions. Grow Up G&H, come sort this before our Genius RB looses heart with our Club. C'mon You REDS! YNWA!!

Posted 10:06 26th November 2007

Graham Longlands (Manchester United fan) says...

Rafa has spent a small fortune in his time at Liverpool, and was given everything he wanted in the summer. After 3 years and many many millions of pounds later, he really can't say that he hasn't been given enough to spend already. Where are all these young "up and coming superstars" he's been signing?

Posted 10:05 26th November 2007

Rudeon Snell (Liverpool fan) says...

I think the comment by Steve Jones is SPOT ON. No informed decision can be made if we dont know whether we will be in the money spinning Champions League and as such all talk of transfers must wait until we ascertain whether or not we are still in the running to bring the cup home again. In my opinion the owners are in this for business reasons and with a stadium looming all talk of transfers must hang on. Look at what happened to Arsenal. Lets see how the meeting of 16 Dec goes. I'm positive we would know one way or the other come then.

Posted 07:39 26th November 2007

Mark Wheeler (Liverpool fan) says...

I can't help but feel that more is being made of this in the press than is actually going on. He has done pretty well for us over the last few seasons and despite all the doom-mongers we're not dead in the water this year either... In my opinion (and to agree with an earlier post), there is some dead wood in the side that needs to be moved on and we should be looking to tie up Mascherano's contract without doubt. We also need to strengthen the back 4 with some urgency - with Agger out Hyypia is not the player he once was... I'm not sure that telling the club's owners that essentially they don't know what they're talking about is the wisest move, but you can understand his frustration to a certain extent. Yes, having an new stadium will be great (for the revenue of the club), but to be successful you have to bring in quality players as well. Perhaps Gillet and Hicks have bitten off more than they can chew? Getting rid of Benitez would be throwing away one of the club's greatest assets...

Posted 07:25 26th November 2007

Richard Elliot (Arsenal fan) says...

I think the whole issue comes down to Rafa promising the goods if given the money during the summer.He was given a hefty purse and brought in high profile players.Yet he still hasn't delivered on his end. He instead wants more players.You can only field eleven players at a time ,so having a ton of players really isn't the answer. Maybe he needs to learn how to get the most out of the players that he already has at his disposal.I am not knocking the players at Liverpool. I think they are a good team , but something just isnt clicking between them and Rafa.Either way , more players , money , complaining in public and making snide remarks isnt helping his cause one bit.

Posted 06:11 26th November 2007

Nino Yokhanis (Liverpool fan) says...

I,m a long time fan, I really some times feel it is the the end when the team lose a game , but I know one thing, as a player I do not agree on rotating players. On the other hand, I beleive that Rafa is right about rotating player and I thing he is building some thing for the future. So if we listen to the media we are really in trouble. I saybe patient and give the man a chance.

Posted 05:35 26th November 2007

David M (Liverpool fan) says...

I think the new owners need to put up or ship out. Rafa has done great things for liverpool, signed some quality and relatively inexpensive players (sissoko, reina, alonso, agger) and he is being treated like dirt. The new owners think they spent big last season and from now on its going to be little bit here and there, well it isnt!!! United won the league and still spent more than us. And as for the 50million plus spent in the summer, the club made at least half that back with the likes of cisse and bellamy moving on. The Americans are in it to make a profit, we needed new owners like chelsea or man city (who we turned down) or DIC investments who we also turned down who will spend money and support Rafa!!! And a final thought on the new stadium, we should be aiming at 75,000 minimum capacity. lets do this properly while we have the chance, not wishing in 10 years it was 20,000 larger and we are again chasing united YNWA

Posted 05:20 26th November 2007

Patrick Wong (Liverpool fan) says...

Here's a message to G&H. Rafa is doing a great job right now and like everyone else have said he needs the backing from the board. If G&H is running short of patience and is thinking of getting rid of him then I think they are making a wrong move. To become a successful club not only we need a good team, but we also need all fans, staff, and players to be united. Here's some good example, look at Manchester and Arsenal since when their backroom stuff never back them up. Ups and downs, their backroom stuff always back them... If other teams can do it, then I can't see why we, Liverpool FC, can't do it. This is not being rude or arrogant, but I seriously think that our Liverpool Culture is 2nd to none and no one else in the world will be able to match us. So G&H, please let this tradition continues and back Rafa and in return we, as fans, will back you like we have back Rafa and Liverpool. Also, for those that thinks Rafa has spend a lot then you all should take a look what other clubs has spend. To make things simple, just look at this season, Rafa hasn't really spend that much, if you take into account on the money that he has recoup on the sales of Cisse and the rest. As for the previous seasons, those players that he bought was not really his first choice, at least majority of them so no one can really blame him. In Liverpool we love, In Rafa we trust and In G&H, we will give you the support and trust only if you trust Rafa and support Liverpool like we do.

Posted 01:41 26th November 2007
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