Liverpool held talks with Klinsmann

Updated 12.16 Mon Jan 14 2008
Keywords: george gillett, tom hicks, jurgen klinsmann, champions league, liverpool, rafael benitez, premier league, sport, football

Liverpool's co-owner Tom Hicks has admitted the club spoke to Jurgen Klinsmann about the possibility of replacing Rafael Benitez.

Klinsmann recently agreed to take charge at Bayern Munich but Hicks has revealed he spoke to the former Tottenham striker last year at a time when Benitez was linked with other clubs.

"We attempted to negotiate an option as an insurance policy" - Tom Hicks

Hicks said: "We attempted to negotiate an option, as an insurance policy, to have him become manager if Rafa left for Real Madrid or other clubs that were rumoured in the UK press.

"Or in case our communication spiralled out of control for some reason."

Benitez appeared to be at odds with Hicks and fellow co-owner George Gillett last year when he was told discussions about January transfer plans would be delayed until late December.

It appeared the air was cleared when Benitez, Hicks and Gillett finally met days after Liverpool had secured a place in the Champions League knockout stages, but the revelation about Klinsmann will increase speculation that Benitez could still leave.

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