Lack of funds beginning to rile Benitez
Source: Agencies |
April 9, 2010, Friday
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LIVERPOOL manager Rafa Benitez has aired his frustrations that the team's owners are yet to bring in additional investment to reduce the club's debts and strengthen a squad which is struggling to challenge for trophies.
Benitez had hoped a deal with the New York-based Rhone Group would provide 110 million pounds (US$168 million), which is being sought by co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr.
"For six months I was really optimistic, especially about this group," Benitez said on Wednesday.
"But they are not there now - the Rhone Group is not there."
Rhone is believed to be the least attractive option that is being considered by Hicks and Gillett, who are trying to sell a 40 percent stake in the club to dilute their ownership and reduce debts of 237 million pounds.
"I have had some talks myself with possible investors and still we are here and working hard but without confirmation," Benitez said.
The need for a cash injection has been highlighted by Liverpool's sharp decline on the pitch this season. Last season's Premier League runners up is languishing in sixth - four points adrift of the fourth Champions League spot - after exiting from Europe's elite knockout competition at the group stage in December.
"If we don't have new investors it will be difficult to go one step further," Benitez said. "We have been wheeling and dealing for six years (in the transfer market), keeping the club at a good level ... if we continue wheeling and dealing it will be very difficult to stay at the level everyone is expecting."
Benitez's comments will add to uncertainty surrounding his own future at Anfield despite signing a new deal a year ago to extend his reign, which started in 2004 and produced a Champions League title at the end of his first season.
Investors
"When I signed for five more years I knew it could be difficult - we were waiting for the investors and it was the same for the players," Benitez said. "I agree with the players that we need some players. We need some players and the cost and value of the players is very clear in the market ... If we want to take the step forward that we need to take then we will need some money to compete with the top sides."
Liverpool's last chance of winning a trophy this season rests with the Europa League, but it must overturn a 1-2 deficit against Benfica to reach the semifinals.
"I am not happy with the situation but I will try to do my best - six seasons in a row we were in the Champions League and we were bringing big money into the club that wasn't expected," Benitez said. "So if you have one season when you cannot be in the Champions League, then at least we can say that we were doing our best for six years."
(AP)
Benitez had hoped a deal with the New York-based Rhone Group would provide 110 million pounds (US$168 million), which is being sought by co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr.
"For six months I was really optimistic, especially about this group," Benitez said on Wednesday.
"But they are not there now - the Rhone Group is not there."
Rhone is believed to be the least attractive option that is being considered by Hicks and Gillett, who are trying to sell a 40 percent stake in the club to dilute their ownership and reduce debts of 237 million pounds.
"I have had some talks myself with possible investors and still we are here and working hard but without confirmation," Benitez said.
The need for a cash injection has been highlighted by Liverpool's sharp decline on the pitch this season. Last season's Premier League runners up is languishing in sixth - four points adrift of the fourth Champions League spot - after exiting from Europe's elite knockout competition at the group stage in December.
"If we don't have new investors it will be difficult to go one step further," Benitez said. "We have been wheeling and dealing for six years (in the transfer market), keeping the club at a good level ... if we continue wheeling and dealing it will be very difficult to stay at the level everyone is expecting."
Benitez's comments will add to uncertainty surrounding his own future at Anfield despite signing a new deal a year ago to extend his reign, which started in 2004 and produced a Champions League title at the end of his first season.
Investors
"When I signed for five more years I knew it could be difficult - we were waiting for the investors and it was the same for the players," Benitez said. "I agree with the players that we need some players. We need some players and the cost and value of the players is very clear in the market ... If we want to take the step forward that we need to take then we will need some money to compete with the top sides."
Liverpool's last chance of winning a trophy this season rests with the Europa League, but it must overturn a 1-2 deficit against Benfica to reach the semifinals.
"I am not happy with the situation but I will try to do my best - six seasons in a row we were in the Champions League and we were bringing big money into the club that wasn't expected," Benitez said. "So if you have one season when you cannot be in the Champions League, then at least we can say that we were doing our best for six years."
(AP)
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