Liverpool spoke to Klinsmann
14th January, 2008
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has revealed he held talks with Jurgen Klinsmann in November about taking over as manager in case Rafael Benitez left the club. Mixed fortunes and a row over the club’s transfer policy put Benitez’s position in doubt.
Tom Hicks told the Liverpool Echo: "We attempted to negotiate an option as an insurance policy... if Rafa left for Real Madrid or other clubs rumoured, or in case our communication spiralled out of control."
Klinsmann has since been employed by Bayern Munich, where he will take over as manager at the end of the season.
The news will come as a blow to Benitez, however Hicks said that the negotiations took place at a time where Liverpool looked likely to go out of the Champions League, and the Premier League form was not spectacular. Talks were had in mid-December, when the air was cleared.
"After George and I had our long and productive meeting with Rafa following the Manchester United match, we put all of our issues behind us and received Rafa's commitment that he wanted to stay with Liverpool," said Hicks.
"We never reached agreement on an option with Jurgen, and we are both pleased for him that he has a great opportunity to return to Germany and coach a great club team. Rafa has both of our support, and our communication has greatly improved."
Liverpool’s form has not seen much change, after being knocked out of the Carling Cup by Chelsea, and being taken to a replay by League One strugglers Luton Town.
Unsurprisingly, Benitez is one of the favourites to be the ‘Next Manager to Leave’. Hughes currently heads this market as speculation says that Hughes is wanted to replace Allardyce at Newcastle in the near future. Full market using our free odds comparison service:
- Hughes, M 2
- Benitez, R 3
- No Manager To Go 3
- Southgate, G 5
- Bruce, Steve 20
- Keane, R 20
- Redknapp, H 20
- Coppell, S 25
- Hodgson, Roy 25
- Jewell, P 40
- Curbishley, A 50
- Grant, A 50
- Mcleish, A 50
- Megson, G 50
- O'Neill, Martin 50
- Ramos, J 50
- Eriksson, SG 66
- Ferguson, A 66
- Moyes, D 66
- Wenger, A 80
All odds available at Totesport.
