by Andy Proudfoot, Liverpool Daily Post
ACCORDING to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, public relations originated in the USA in the early 20th century. In the early 21st, they seem to have lost their touch.
Tom Hicks may well have thought that he was clearing the air earlier this week when he revealed his dangerous liaison with Jurgen Klinsmann, but he succeeded only in clouding it further.
Despite his assertions that the co-owners’ ruckus with Rafa was behind them, and that they now stood full square behind him, Hicks’s comments brought about exactly the opposite result, serving only to undermine him further and revitalise speculation over his future should Liverpool’s results not improve.
Although the talks with Klinsmann were presented as an insurance policy should Benitez decamp to Real Madrid, Hicks left no doubt that the threat of an early exit from the Champions League was a key motivating factor in their hasty search for a possible replacement.
It’s clear, then, that a failure to finish in the top four this season will see Rafa’s P45 despatched quicker than a Riise free-kick entering the Kop, regardless of any trips to Moscow or Wembley in May next year. Hardly the professed backing for Benitez’s long-term vision is it?
Given his undoubted commitment to the cause, it’s no wonder that Benitez was at pains recently to rubbish stories that he expected to be sacked at the end of the season, and was therefore seeking his next post.
From across the Atlantic, this would have been seen not just as shooting yourself in the foot, but loading both barrels and asking someone else to do it for you.
Whatever the provocation, there’s little doubt that Benitez’s authority has been seriously undermined by Hicks’ comments, not least with the players.
The sad experience in the modern game is that if players are offered the opportunity not to perform, they’ll take it. If you tell them they’re tired, they’ll play like they’re tired.
If there’s a suspicion that the manager is unlikely to be around too long, then their motivation to impress him is lessened – even Manchester United fell victim to this when Fergie prematurely announced his retirement a few seasons ago. Could this explain their lacklustre performances over the last month or so? Don’t bet against it.
Another bewildering aspect of Hicks’ pronouncement was his declaration that he spoke to Klinsmann to “learn all we could about the English game”. Excuse me?
Jurgen’s experience of this is what – a few years playing in it?
Do they not feel there’s anyone at Anfield who can impart this specialist knowledge?
If it’s not bad enough that we have to turn to an Italian to coach our national team, now we have to talk to a German who lives in California about how to succeed in the Premier League!
Hicks and Gillett would no doubt defend their flirtation with Klinsmann as sound business practice – succession planning I think they call it.
This is a fair argument, but what they need to appreciate is that English football business is played out in the full glare of the national press, and they need to think through how they go about it in a considered and discreet manner, mindful not least about the need to keep the fans onside, and avoid the ‘dead man walking’ situation they have now placed Benitez in.
The on-line encyclopaedia Wikipedia notes that “a number of American precursors to public relations are found in publicists who specialized in promoting circuses, theatrical performances, and other public spectacles”.
It looks like the new owners need to bring themselves up to date in this particular field.
ACCORDING to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, public relations originated in the USA in the early 20th century. In the early 21st, they seem to have lost their touch.
Tom Hicks may well have thought that he was clearing the air earlier this week when he revealed his dangerous liaison with Jurgen Klinsmann, but he succeeded only in clouding it further.
Despite his assertions that the co-owners’ ruckus with Rafa was behind them, and that they now stood full square behind him, Hicks’s comments brought about exactly the opposite result, serving only to undermine him further and revitalise speculation over his future should Liverpool’s results not improve.
Although the talks with Klinsmann were presented as an insurance policy should Benitez decamp to Real Madrid, Hicks left no doubt that the threat of an early exit from the Champions League was a key motivating factor in their hasty search for a possible replacement.
It’s clear, then, that a failure to finish in the top four this season will see Rafa’s P45 despatched quicker than a Riise free-kick entering the Kop, regardless of any trips to Moscow or Wembley in May next year. Hardly the professed backing for Benitez’s long-term vision is it?
Given his undoubted commitment to the cause, it’s no wonder that Benitez was at pains recently to rubbish stories that he expected to be sacked at the end of the season, and was therefore seeking his next post.
From across the Atlantic, this would have been seen not just as shooting yourself in the foot, but loading both barrels and asking someone else to do it for you.
Whatever the provocation, there’s little doubt that Benitez’s authority has been seriously undermined by Hicks’ comments, not least with the players.
The sad experience in the modern game is that if players are offered the opportunity not to perform, they’ll take it. If you tell them they’re tired, they’ll play like they’re tired.
If there’s a suspicion that the manager is unlikely to be around too long, then their motivation to impress him is lessened – even Manchester United fell victim to this when Fergie prematurely announced his retirement a few seasons ago. Could this explain their lacklustre performances over the last month or so? Don’t bet against it.
Another bewildering aspect of Hicks’ pronouncement was his declaration that he spoke to Klinsmann to “learn all we could about the English game”. Excuse me?
Jurgen’s experience of this is what – a few years playing in it?
Do they not feel there’s anyone at Anfield who can impart this specialist knowledge?
If it’s not bad enough that we have to turn to an Italian to coach our national team, now we have to talk to a German who lives in California about how to succeed in the Premier League!
Hicks and Gillett would no doubt defend their flirtation with Klinsmann as sound business practice – succession planning I think they call it.
This is a fair argument, but what they need to appreciate is that English football business is played out in the full glare of the national press, and they need to think through how they go about it in a considered and discreet manner, mindful not least about the need to keep the fans onside, and avoid the ‘dead man walking’ situation they have now placed Benitez in.
The on-line encyclopaedia Wikipedia notes that “a number of American precursors to public relations are found in publicists who specialized in promoting circuses, theatrical performances, and other public spectacles”.
It looks like the new owners need to bring themselves up to date in this particular field.
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