Liverpool Football Club

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Brendan Rodgers

• Ground:Anfield
• Capacity:45362

Hicks reveals Jurgen talks

14 Jan 2008 - 15:25:48

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Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has revealed he held talks with Jurgen Klinsmann about taking over from Rafael Benitez as the club's manager.

Hicks, who was involved in a public spat with Benitez last November over the club's transfer plans, has revealed he sounded out Klinsmann about becoming the new Anfield boss.

Former Germany coach Klinsmann has recently been unveiled as the next manager of Bayern Munich when current incumbent Ottmar Hitzfeld ends his second spell in charge in the summer.

But Hicks' surprise admission that he held talks with the former international striker about a potential move to England could lead to further unrest in his rocky relationship with Benitez.

Benitez's own future on Merseyside has been brought into question with the Reds currently 12 points off the pace in the Premier League and their struggles to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.

"We attempted to negotiate an option," Hicks told the Liverpool Echo.

"It was as an insurance policy, to have him become manager if Rafa left for Real Madrid or other rumoured clubs.

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