[redmarkYankees]

Originally Posted by bababui

Jose Mourihno will be the next Liverpool manager.

Not if Liverpool fans have any say in the matter. Which unfortunately, we don't.

This spat is becoming very worrying. Is Hicks the sort of man to put up with insolence from subordinates (even when they're right)? Doesn't seem likely. Rafa is now hinting that he's unhappy with the role given to Rick Parry, and implies he's not capable of securing the transfers the club needs. Effectively, Rafa has lined up a fight between himself and the supporters versus the owners and the CEO.

If this does blow up and Rafa is sacked or walks, I have a feeling Steve Nicol might be the surprise choice: he knows how to work within an American sport environment, has had a modicum of success and would get just enough support from the fans (he was ranked 39th on the top 100 Liverpool players of all time, a couple of years ago).

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1771

But Liverpool's emphatic victory, which maintained their unbeaten start to the Premier League season, might not be enough to keep Benitez in his job as he again hit out at American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett over his lack of spending power in the January transfer window.

Less than 24 hours after Hicks had told the Spaniard to 'quit talking about new players and coach those he has already',the Spanish manager made no attempt to clear up speculation about his future, pointedly noting the Americans' lack of knowledge about the transfer system in England compared with 'draft' used in the USA.

'We want the best for the club, and because we have been here for a long time, we know what passion means in football in Europe,' said Benitez, after goals by Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel earned Liverpool three points. 'We know what the transfer window market means, we know what it means to sign free — and I insist free — players now. I was not asking to spend money.

'They know the manager needs to manage the squad and prepare the squad for this year and for the future. Mr Hicks wants the best for the club, me too,and because I have three years' experience at this club, I know its passion. I know football in Europe — it is not a draft, so you need to sign players, or talk with agents now.'

Benitez's comments will be seen by many as a suicide note. Even his attire, a track suit instead of his normal shirt and tie, was a reminder that he is unhappy at being regarded as 'just as a coach'.

Benitez, who is frustrated at the club failing to sign off a £17 million deal to buy on-loan Javier Mascherano, will be told in three weeks by his American bosses that there will be no money for new players and he must sell to make the Argentine's stay at Anfield permanent.

But he is clearly not in the mood to stay quiet. 'I have been here for three years and I like this club,' he said.

'I will do my best to win games for my supporters, and I think (Mr Hicks) will try to do the same.

'We had a meeting the day of the Arsenal game and it was really, really positive.

After that, something changed. I tried to explain my ideas, but they said: “Rafa, keep focusing on coaching and training because Rick Parry will be in charge of buying and selling players”. So now I will wait and maybe we will lose some targets, but I will try to do my best.

'From Istanbul to Cardiff or Monaco, we have won a lot of trophies and watched a lot of supporters travel with us, so they know what this club means to me. If we do our job properly, they will understand, and I am sure Mr Hicks wants the best for the club. 'I didn't talk about money.

It was the opposite, to bring money back — we have brought £26 million back this year. I am trying to do the best as a manager for my club to bring money back to spend some money on better players, and you can see the value of the squad.

'I think they will understand this. But they say now Rick Parry is in charge of signing and selling players at this moment, so OK, we will see.'