Revealed: Tom Hicks's two meetings with Klinsmann over replacing Rafa Benitez

Apr 14 2008

Jurgen Klinnsmann

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks held two meetings with Jurgen Klinsmann with a view to the German replacing Rafael Benitez as manager, it emerged today

The first meeting was held in New York at which he was joined by co-owner George Gillett, chief executive Rick Parry and other members of the Liverpool board.

The second was held at Hicks’ holiday home in California during Thanksgiving weekend when Parry was not present.

Parry today said he was prepared to meet with Benitez to discuss his involvement in talks with Klinsmann.

The 53-year-old responded to Benitez’s demands yesterday afternoon for talks to clear the air about what went on at the meeting with Klinsmann last November with an offer to sit down with him at the earliest possible opportunity.

Though he has known about the meeting with Klinsmann for several months, Benitez insisted he was surprised by revelations that Parry was also present.

The Spaniard was already aware that Hicks and co-owner George Gillett had met with the German in November to discuss the possibility of him replacing Benitez as manager at Anfield.

But Benitez has admitted to friends he was shocked to see revelations from Hicks in the national media that Parry was present at that meeting and is now demanding answers.

Parry today responded to the latest crisis by telling the ECHO: “I am more than happy to sit down and talk to Rafa about this.”

Yesterday, Hicks revealed: “When the Klinsmann story broke, I didn’t hear Rick Parry or George Gillett say that they were the ones that set up the Klinsmann meeting.

“Rick [Parry], George and Foster Gillett participated with my son, Tom Jr, and me. Rick allowed that controversy to build without taking any responsibility.”

At his post-match press conference yesterday, Benitez said: “It was a surprise to read about some meetings. I need to talk with the board and clarify the situation. I want to do that as soon as possible.

“I want to clarify everything. I was surprised with some meetings with other managers. I was surprised with the people that were at the meeting.

“I feel my position is being undermined by it. That is why I want to clarify the situation.

“I need to speak to all of the people. They were in a meeting together, so I need to know something more.

“I will ask some questions about the meeting.”

He added: “It’s not the first time I knew about the meeting but it was the first time I knew about the people that were in the meeting.

“I will not talk about any specific owner, I want to talk with everyone, preferably at the same time, to clarify the situation.

“It was a meeting with some people I did not know about. I need to resolve questions and I tell you I want some answers. I am really calm but I want some answers.”