League Managers' Association confirm Rafa Benitez contact

Jan 23 2008

RAFAEL Benitez has been given "advice, support and encouragement" by the managers' union as the battle for control of Liverpool comes to a conclusion.

Liverpool are bracing themselves for the expected announcement this week that American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have clinched a £350million re-financing package.

And that comes as the extent of the fans' animosity to the co-owners has become apparent, with two polls showing a vast majority of the club's support want the Americans out.

If Hicks and Gillett do gain a stronger hold on the club they bought with bank loans last February, it is likely to signal another major step towards boss Benitez's departure.

And the League Managers' Association have become involved at this stage to offer advice to Benitez.

The LMA's new chief executive Richard Bevan, in a BBC Radio Five Live interview, has admitted the organisation has been in touch with Benitez.

This has clearly come following admittance by Hicks that he and his partner Gillett held talks with Jurgen Klinsmann to discuss the German taking over at Anfield.

Bevan, who is the former chief executive of the professional cricketers' association, said: "Yes, we have been in touch with Rafael Benitez.

"We have provided advice, support and encouragement. But obviously we are unable to say any more."

It is believed that advice could be of a legal nature, with Benitez's position being undermined by his employers.

A spokesman for Hicks and Gillett in New York declined to confirm that the re-financing deal was about the be announced.

But sources expect that to be the case, with the deal with the Royal Bank of Scotland and American bank Wachovia likely to be revealed soon.

It is also expected that Hicks and Gillett will unveil the revised plans for the new stadium to replace Anfield which will be built in Stanley Park.

The Americans abandoned their previous scheme as too expensive, having also jettisoned the plans in place when they took over a year ago.

Chief executive Rick Parry and the co-chairmen met in New York earlier this month to review two new plans.

The re-financing plans will include cash to start work on the new stadium and will make it more difficult for Dubai International Capital to make their own bid to oust the American pair.

Sources close to DIC offered a firm "no comment" today on the latest speculation that Hicks and Gillett were about to announce their new financial plans.

City sources had suggested the plans were under threat due to the worldwide shares crisis, and the fact that the two banks had asked for more cash up front from Hicks and Gillett.

But the announcement on cash and the stadium when it comes, will be seen as a re-affirmation of Hicks' determination to remain at Anfield along with Gillett, despite interest from DIC. And that would cast further doubt over the longevity of Benitez's stay as manager.