Skootzkitty's Litter Box of Stuff

Tom Hicks on Wednesday branded Rick Parry’s time as Liverpool chief executive “a disaster” and warned co-owner George Gillett that the stalemate over the club’s future will continue until he agrees to sell his stake.

Hicks has demanded Parry’s resignation and vowed that his top priority if Gillett were to sell to him would be to offer Reds manager Rafael Benitez a one-year extension to his current deal.

The Texan also revealed that he plans to rid the club of all debt by heading up a group of financial backers willing to invest in the club.

Hicks, who revealed that Parry had taken part in the meeting with Jurgen Klinsmann that undermined Benitez, blamed him for Liverpool’s failure to compete commercially with their Premier League rivals in a Sky Sports News interview.

“Look at what’s happened under Rick. It has been a disaster,” Hicks said. “We have fallen so far behind the other leading clubs. We should have the stadium built by now. We have a few major sponsors when we should have 15. We have still got the top brand in the world of football, but that’s no good if you don’t know how to commercialize it.

“Rick needs to resign from Liverpool FC. He has put his heart into it but it is time for a change. You have to be able to work with the manager and Rick has proved he can’t do that.”

Hicks also mentioned the meeting in New York last year in regard to Klinsmann becoming manager.

“George became good friends with him (Klinsmann) a year ago,” Hicks said. “I get this call from George out of the blue in which he says, ‘Have your people do their research on Klinsmann.’ He and Rick set up the meeting in New York. I did go to the meeting along with my son Tom. Rick Parry had already met with Jurgen alone for a couple of hours when we arrived. We all then spoke to him for another four hours.

“Afterwards I told the truth to a reporter who asked the question and suddenly it is ‘Tom Hicks tried to get Jurgen Klinsmann.’ George initiated it but we all participated.”

Hicks and Gillett took over the club in February 2007 but Hicks admitted their relationship has now completely broken down.

“At this point it is unworkable,” he told Sky Sports News. “We started this as friends but 50-50 is a difficult business proposition because you cannot do anything without your partner’s approval.

“We had a good honeymoon but, over a period of time, there have been issues, the stadium being the main one. If George doesn’t sell - because I am not going to sell - I guess we stay in this position that we are in. It’s complicated but it’s going to happen (Hicks buying Gillett out) although I can’t force George to accept.”

Gillett has offered his support to Parry and revealed last week that any attempt to remove the chief executive would need the approval of the full board.

“It’s for the board to ask me to resign and they haven’t,” Parry told Radio Four’s Today program. “I’m accountable to the board and this is not something the board has discussed with me. … I have a duty at the moment to try and keep things on an even keel when there’s turmoil off the pitch. I just want to do my best for the club.

“I’m focusing on the day-to-day. We have a Champions League semifinal coming up. There are a lot of important things to be done at the club and that’s the focus.”

-=-=-=-

So I ask myself, being the Footie fan I am 'WHY?!' Why is Tom Hicks even invloved with a 50% stake in an EPL team? Why on earth did this man think he knew ANYTHING about football and could own a team? Why has he sunk this wonderful club into deep debt? Why does he continue to undermine not only his partner in the doomed venture, but the chief executive of the club in the press. Does he seriously think this will win him love from the fans? Hate to tell you Mr Hicks, but most of us who LOVE the Beautiful Game and who have followed Liverpool for years, well we don't like you at all. Matter of fact we blame YOU for what has happened this season with your constant attacks and undermining. You have a plan to get us out of debt?! Really, this should be good, can't wait to hear this brilliant plan of yours. If I remember it took last minute financing THIS year to pull your behind out of the debt fire, to the tune of some 200 million if memory serves me. YES we should have a stadium by now, but gee, you didn't find that a priority earlier did you? YES we could use more Sponsorship [altho frankly in MHO, it makes the jersey's look tacky] but if you were a Corporate Sponsor, would YOU sponsor YOU? I know I would sponsor the team but would hate having you involved. Do us all a favour...leave, please, leave.....