Moyes: Liverpool's Klinsmann approach ‘ridiculous’

Jan 29 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post

DAVID MOYES has backed Rafael Benitez in his dispute with Liverpool’s owners – describing their approach to Jurgen Klinsmann as “ridiculous”.

The Everton manager has spoken out in support of the stance taken by his Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson, who condemned Tom Hicks and George Gillett for their sounding out the former Germany coach about the Anfield manager's job in November.

Hicks, who two weeks ago admitted he spoke to Klinsmann as an ‘insurance policy’ in case Benitez left for Real Madrid, has since voiced his backing for the current Liverpool manager.

But Moyes remains wary of the approach billionaire investors from abroad are taking to the English game.

He said: “I think it’s ridiculous that a club would go to somebody else while their manager is still in work, that’s wrong.

“I thought it was tremendous that Sir Alex came out and said the things supporting of Rafa and, in a way, have a go at the board because it’s the board that make the decisions.

“Sir Alex has stood up. He is very much part of the LMA and the union that supports the managers, so we’re all trying to look after each other and make sure we’re all in work as long as we can.

“And I’ve been saying recently that it might be the managers who need to interview the board and the chairmen.

“Because the secret as a young manager is, it’s important to have a chairman who will help you and not get too high when you win and too low when you lose.

“But with maybe so many billionaires coming in, they think because they have been successful in life and want instant success because that’s what they do.

“But of all the teams who compete there can only be one or two winners of certain competitions so the majority aren’t winning and some of the people in the game have to consider that because maybe they haven’t been used to it.”

Meanwhile, Everton are hoping to nurse Leighton Baines back to full fitness without the need of an operation.

Going under the surgeon’s knife has become a distinct possibility for the left-back after he failed to shake off an ankle injury sustained in the game at Derby County three months ago.

But Everton are reluctant to commit Baines to such a long term lay-off and continue the stop-start beginning he has had to his Goodison career since from joining from Wigan Athletic last summer.

Physio Mick Rathbone is therefore hoping that the 23-year-old can recover

naturally. He said: “He’s developed some pain at the back of the ankle that only manifests itself when he kicks the ball hard.

“There is a surgical procedure that might need to be done, but hopefully like all things it will get better without surgery.

“At the moment he is technically available for games. There’s nothing worse for a player because normally if you’re injured your injured, if you’re fit, you’re fit.