Rick Parry stepped in as peacemaker yesterday after it emerged that Liverpool made two attempts to install Jurgen Klinsmann as their new manager.
A seething Rafa Benitez demanded answers from the Anfield board after learning over the weekend that Parry had been involved in one of the clandestine get-togethers with the former Germany coach.
Although clearly taken aback at becoming embroiled in an escalating war of words among Anfield's hierarchy, Liverpool's embattled chief executive attempted to take the sting out of the latest fall-out by promising Benitez clear-the-air talks in the next few days.
Parry's priority is attending today's memorial service to mark the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, but he intends trying to patch up his differences with Benitez at the earliest opportunity, saying: "I am more than happy to sit down and talk to Rafa about this."
Although there have been calls from co-owner Tom Hicks for Parry to stand down, Benitez could be on dangerous ground after questioning the former Premier League chief's conduct in an angry outburst after Sunday's 3-1 win over Blackburn.
Several well-placed Anfield observers are adamant Benitez would have been dismissed by now but for another outstanding European campaign which appeased George Gillett and, in particular, Hicks.
With doubts persisting about Hicks's financial muscle to take full control and Gillett thought to be exploring ways of raising the necessary funds for a buy-out of his own, Benitez could find his confrontational approach rebounding on him.
After admitting that the former Valencia manager had almost talked himself out of a job earlier in the season, Hicks now appears to have formed a solid alliance with him, possibly influenced by the popular Spaniard's standing with fans.
Hicks and his son, Tom Junior, are in a minority on the board, though, and Benitez may have left himself vulnerable by seeming to side with them and by taking on Parry in such public fashion.
Even so, Benitez's mood will not be helped by the revelation that Parry, Hicks, Gillett and other board members had already sounded out Klinsmann when they convened at the new Bayern Munich manager's holiday home in California last November.
The Liverpool boss claimed he had been undermined by the development and demanded clarification from the board about where he stood and why details of the initial meeting had been kept from him. It is understood he may even have fired off emails to Hicks and Gillett on Sunday night, underlining his displeasure.
Rumours are gathering pace that he could be on borrowed time, but there is another scenario. As he approaches his 48th birthday tomorrow, Benitez may yet beat his paymasters to the punch by walking away.
Benitez has form for packing up and leaving whenever boardroom conflict threatens to cramp his style and the outsmarting of Inter Milan's Roberto Mancini and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger will have sent his stock soaring in Italy and his native Spain.
Just as he quit Valencia in despair over a perceived lack of transfer backing, so his exasperated tone on Sunday hinted at a resignation that had nothing to do with calls for Parry's head.
Valencia are ready to welcome Benitez back after one or two significant boardroom changes and Atletico Madrid are also monitoring his availability.
Both Milan clubs are considering a change of manager, but it is the thought of Atletico winning the chase that will send a shudder through Fernando Torres.
Seeing Benitez take charge of his old club would be unbearable for the Spain striker.
"I think and hope Rafa is going to be at Liverpool for a long time," said Torres. "He is backed by the players and fans and his record is there for all to see."
A seething Rafa Benitez demanded answers from the Anfield board after learning over the weekend that Parry had been involved in one of the clandestine get-togethers with the former Germany coach.
Although clearly taken aback at becoming embroiled in an escalating war of words among Anfield's hierarchy, Liverpool's embattled chief executive attempted to take the sting out of the latest fall-out by promising Benitez clear-the-air talks in the next few days.
Parry's priority is attending today's memorial service to mark the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, but he intends trying to patch up his differences with Benitez at the earliest opportunity, saying: "I am more than happy to sit down and talk to Rafa about this."
Although there have been calls from co-owner Tom Hicks for Parry to stand down, Benitez could be on dangerous ground after questioning the former Premier League chief's conduct in an angry outburst after Sunday's 3-1 win over Blackburn.
Several well-placed Anfield observers are adamant Benitez would have been dismissed by now but for another outstanding European campaign which appeased George Gillett and, in particular, Hicks.
With doubts persisting about Hicks's financial muscle to take full control and Gillett thought to be exploring ways of raising the necessary funds for a buy-out of his own, Benitez could find his confrontational approach rebounding on him.
After admitting that the former Valencia manager had almost talked himself out of a job earlier in the season, Hicks now appears to have formed a solid alliance with him, possibly influenced by the popular Spaniard's standing with fans.
Hicks and his son, Tom Junior, are in a minority on the board, though, and Benitez may have left himself vulnerable by seeming to side with them and by taking on Parry in such public fashion.
Even so, Benitez's mood will not be helped by the revelation that Parry, Hicks, Gillett and other board members had already sounded out Klinsmann when they convened at the new Bayern Munich manager's holiday home in California last November.
The Liverpool boss claimed he had been undermined by the development and demanded clarification from the board about where he stood and why details of the initial meeting had been kept from him. It is understood he may even have fired off emails to Hicks and Gillett on Sunday night, underlining his displeasure.
Rumours are gathering pace that he could be on borrowed time, but there is another scenario. As he approaches his 48th birthday tomorrow, Benitez may yet beat his paymasters to the punch by walking away.
Benitez has form for packing up and leaving whenever boardroom conflict threatens to cramp his style and the outsmarting of Inter Milan's Roberto Mancini and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger will have sent his stock soaring in Italy and his native Spain.
Just as he quit Valencia in despair over a perceived lack of transfer backing, so his exasperated tone on Sunday hinted at a resignation that had nothing to do with calls for Parry's head.
Valencia are ready to welcome Benitez back after one or two significant boardroom changes and Atletico Madrid are also monitoring his availability.
Both Milan clubs are considering a change of manager, but it is the thought of Atletico winning the chase that will send a shudder through Fernando Torres.
Seeing Benitez take charge of his old club would be unbearable for the Spain striker.
"I think and hope Rafa is going to be at Liverpool for a long time," said Torres. "He is backed by the players and fans and his record is there for all to see."
No comments:
Post a Comment