One of Liverpool's owners is believed to be more enthusiastic than the other about concluding contract talks key to Rafael Benitez's future but both want the issue resolved, with the real prospect of a counter offer for his services if Real Madrid's troubles continue.
Tom Hicks, the co-owner with whom Benitez has a relationship, initiated the conversation with the manager over the new deal he has been waiting 18 months for and though Benitez cited him – and not George Gillett – at the weekend as the individual he expects his representatives to deal with, there is no suggestion that Gillett is cooling on the talks.
Both men sanctioned Benitez going public on the fact they were talking about a new deal to generate a sense of stability at a time when a buyer for the club would be more than welcome. That explains the coordinated news release put out the Friday before last.
Hicks and Gillett were not happy with the talk, when Benitez announced the contract developments 10 days ago, of his desire for a long-term deal and that much was apparent on Friday when Benitez sought immediately to clarify that he was not publicly discussing money or tenure. Weekend reports that Liverpool's Carling Cup defeat at White Hart Lane had cooled Gillett's ardour do not reflect Benitez's expectation that his agent Manuel Garcia Quilon will begin discussions with the owners this week.
"My advisors are talking with the owners and they will have a meeting if necessary next week and will progress," Benitez said on Friday. "At this stage we are not talking about anything else so I was surprised to read about figures and years. In the future I will not talk any more [about this]."
Tom Hicks, the co-owner with whom Benitez has a relationship, initiated the conversation with the manager over the new deal he has been waiting 18 months for and though Benitez cited him – and not George Gillett – at the weekend as the individual he expects his representatives to deal with, there is no suggestion that Gillett is cooling on the talks.
Both men sanctioned Benitez going public on the fact they were talking about a new deal to generate a sense of stability at a time when a buyer for the club would be more than welcome. That explains the coordinated news release put out the Friday before last.
Hicks and Gillett were not happy with the talk, when Benitez announced the contract developments 10 days ago, of his desire for a long-term deal and that much was apparent on Friday when Benitez sought immediately to clarify that he was not publicly discussing money or tenure. Weekend reports that Liverpool's Carling Cup defeat at White Hart Lane had cooled Gillett's ardour do not reflect Benitez's expectation that his agent Manuel Garcia Quilon will begin discussions with the owners this week.
"My advisors are talking with the owners and they will have a meeting if necessary next week and will progress," Benitez said on Friday. "At this stage we are not talking about anything else so I was surprised to read about figures and years. In the future I will not talk any more [about this]."
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