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04 Aug 10
23:54
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08 May 10
Huang set to give Hodgson £150m vote of confidence
Tony Barrett, Tony Evans
Updated 21 minutes ago
Roy Hodgson will keep his job as Liverpool manager and be handed £150 million to spend on new players if the Chinese Government’s bid to buy the club proves successful.
As revealed in The Times today, Kenny Huang, the Hong Kong-based businessman, is fronting the bid by China Investment Corporation (CIC), the overseas investment arm of the Chinese Government. A formal offer has still to be lodged, but although there is interest from other parties, Huang — backed by the wealth of one of the fastest-growing economies in the world — is believed to be the front-runner to complete a purchase.
CIC is prepared to back Hodgson by bankrolling a number of high-profile signings and has made a commitment to build a new stadium.
Liverpool are also attracting interest from the Rhône Group, the New York-based fund management firm, and the al-Kharafi family from Kuwait. Yahya Kirdi, a Canadian-based businessman from Syria, claimed yesterday that he is close to finalising a deal, but it is understood that he is negotiating only with George Gillett Jr, the club’s co-owner, and has not been involved with RBS, which holds Liverpool’s £237 million debt, or Barclays Capital, the investment bank overseeing the sale.
After his appointment as the successor to Rafael Benítez in July, Hodgson said that the possibility of a takeover had been a factor in discussions before he signed a three-year contract and revealed that clauses had been inserted in the deal affording him financial protection in the event of new owners deciding to replace him as manager.
The Chinese, though, have no desire to dispose of the 62-year-old, who insists that the situation has not prevented him from going about his job in the right manner.
“I knew when I came to the club that a takeover may or may not come about, that it may come about quickly or it may take a lot of time,” Hodgson said. “But I was given assurances that I would be allowed to do the job in the right way and that’s certainly been the case since I’ve been here.”
Asked would it be easier for the club to plan ahead under new owners, he said: “That’s for sure. But I don’t want to go down the ownership route because I don’t know enough about it, apart from knowing that, at the moment, unfortunately the owners we have are very unpopular with the fans. They know it and that is why they are prepared to sell the club.”
Hodgson takes charge of Liverpool at Anfield for the first time tonight when his team take a 2-0 lead into the second leg of the Europa League third qualifying round tie with Rabotnicki, of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The manager is not willing to allow either himself or his players to hide behind the uncertainty surrounding the club, and insists that they must be masters of their own fortune.
Fernando Torres, who pledged his commitment to Liverpool yesterday, had recently called on the club to match his ambition by signing “four or five” top-class players, but Hodgson says that it is the responsibility of those already at the club to shape the future.
“As a player you have the chance to change things,” Hodgson said. “If you don’t think the team is doing as well as it should, as a player you can do something about it. If you are a big player, maybe you will. My attitude is that we want our big players because they are big players and they will help the team to win.
“Now if they are not playing well and not helping the team to win, I will be advising them to look into the mirror rather than look for excuses elsewhere and blame the owners for not having spent £500 million.
“I am just sceptical about comments where players are questioning the club’s ambition.”
Tony Barrett, Tony Evans
Updated 21 minutes ago
Roy Hodgson will keep his job as Liverpool manager and be handed £150 million to spend on new players if the Chinese Government’s bid to buy the club proves successful.
As revealed in The Times today, Kenny Huang, the Hong Kong-based businessman, is fronting the bid by China Investment Corporation (CIC), the overseas investment arm of the Chinese Government. A formal offer has still to be lodged, but although there is interest from other parties, Huang — backed by the wealth of one of the fastest-growing economies in the world — is believed to be the front-runner to complete a purchase.
CIC is prepared to back Hodgson by bankrolling a number of high-profile signings and has made a commitment to build a new stadium.
Liverpool are also attracting interest from the Rhône Group, the New York-based fund management firm, and the al-Kharafi family from Kuwait. Yahya Kirdi, a Canadian-based businessman from Syria, claimed yesterday that he is close to finalising a deal, but it is understood that he is negotiating only with George Gillett Jr, the club’s co-owner, and has not been involved with RBS, which holds Liverpool’s £237 million debt, or Barclays Capital, the investment bank overseeing the sale.
After his appointment as the successor to Rafael Benítez in July, Hodgson said that the possibility of a takeover had been a factor in discussions before he signed a three-year contract and revealed that clauses had been inserted in the deal affording him financial protection in the event of new owners deciding to replace him as manager.
The Chinese, though, have no desire to dispose of the 62-year-old, who insists that the situation has not prevented him from going about his job in the right manner.
“I knew when I came to the club that a takeover may or may not come about, that it may come about quickly or it may take a lot of time,” Hodgson said. “But I was given assurances that I would be allowed to do the job in the right way and that’s certainly been the case since I’ve been here.”
Asked would it be easier for the club to plan ahead under new owners, he said: “That’s for sure. But I don’t want to go down the ownership route because I don’t know enough about it, apart from knowing that, at the moment, unfortunately the owners we have are very unpopular with the fans. They know it and that is why they are prepared to sell the club.”
Hodgson takes charge of Liverpool at Anfield for the first time tonight when his team take a 2-0 lead into the second leg of the Europa League third qualifying round tie with Rabotnicki, of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The manager is not willing to allow either himself or his players to hide behind the uncertainty surrounding the club, and insists that they must be masters of their own fortune.
Fernando Torres, who pledged his commitment to Liverpool yesterday, had recently called on the club to match his ambition by signing “four or five” top-class players, but Hodgson says that it is the responsibility of those already at the club to shape the future.
“As a player you have the chance to change things,” Hodgson said. “If you don’t think the team is doing as well as it should, as a player you can do something about it. If you are a big player, maybe you will. My attitude is that we want our big players because they are big players and they will help the team to win.
“Now if they are not playing well and not helping the team to win, I will be advising them to look into the mirror rather than look for excuses elsewhere and blame the owners for not having spent £500 million.
“I am just sceptical about comments where players are questioning the club’s ambition.”
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Updated 1 minute ago
The Chinese Government is the mystery backer behind a bid for Liverpool Football Club, The Times can reveal. China’s overseas investment arm China Investment Corporation (CIC), which already owns a stake in Canary Wharf, is funding the bid fronted by the sports tycoon Kenny Huang for one of Britain’s biggest sporting names. The debt-laden club is expected to change hands this month and last night the Chinese appeared to be in pole position to win a three-way takeover battle. The other bidders are a wealthy Kuwaiti family and an American private equity group. Liverpool’s lender, the Royal Bank of Scotland, forced the club’s unpopular American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, to put it up for sale in April. A number of potential foreign buyers have been circling, but until now the role of the Communist Government was unknown. The acquisition would be just a tiny piece of China’s vast global investment plan. CIC was created in 2007 to invest billions of dollars for the benefit of the State. The country has been able to stockpile nearly $2 trillion of foreign currency reserves because it exports many more billions of pounds of goods and services than it imports. CIC has $332 billion to spend abroad. The fund already has stakes in natural resources and energy companies in Asia, the US and Africa as part of China’s long-term strategy of securing its energy supplies. Liverpool would be its first football club and a high-profile entry into British cultural life. Neither CIC nor Mr Huang was available for comment last night, but insiders said that CIC would end up owning the majority of the club if the consortium’s planned bid — which values Liverpool at between £300 million and £350 million — is successful. China is not the first foreign country to covet English Premier League teams. Arsenal, Aston Villa, Birmingham, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Sunderland are all in foreign hands. Manchester City, which is owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan, a senior member of the Royal Family in Abu Dhabi, and Chelsea, owned by the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, were bought as trophy assets. The owners have poured in money without seeking a profit. It is believed that the Chinese would expect to make money by building a bigger stadium in Merseyside and developing the club’s Asian fan base. Liverpool already has a sponsorship deal with the bank Standard Chartered, which focuses on Asia. Presenting the bank’s half-year results yesterday, Peter Sands, its chief executive, said that its sponsorship of Liverpool was the most cost-effective way of getting Standard Chartered’s name on to television screens across Asia. The sale is being run by Barcap, Barclays’ investment banking arm, and Martin Broughton, chairman of British Airways, who was brought in as temporary chairman of the club in April. Insiders said that it was a three-way contest between the Chinese, Rhône Capital, a private equity group, and the billionare al-Kharafi family of Kuwait. Any buyer must be cleared by the Premier League, which has held talks with the bidders. The main test is financial and it is unlikely that a bid would be blocked from the cash-rich Chinese. Mr Huang reiterated his interest in Liverpool through his PR firm Hill & Knowlton yesterday but said that he had yet to make a formal binding bid. |
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Liverpool are going to be richer tha Man City with China backing them.
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CAPITARIST BASSALDS!
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Apparently Liverpool will overnight become the richest sports club in the world if this goes through !!
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CHINA'S GOVERMENT HAVE 2.5 TRILLION IN US DOLLARS WORTH OF RESERVES ALONE.
KA CHINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG |
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Its all been worth it, 15 years of pain, now its time for the mighty Liverpool to rise from the ashes and dominate world football for decades to come!
THIS IS SO F ING SWEET!!! |
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Riding the road to perdition.
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Just remember the yanks were going to spend untold gazillions and build us a new stadium.
Though I am moving to Beijing next week so i will stand in Tianamen Sq and seethe appropriately for all of you if this turns out to be pie in the sky..... |
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True, I actually hope this deal will fall through, I have strong issues with regards to the Chinese Governments human rights record.
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i will never buy another chinese takeaway again
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Not wanting to pi$$ on any chips but as a Liverpool fan myself I would take anything on this takeover with apinch of salt. The only fact that is certain is that the real facts are not in the public domain yet. All of this paper talk is just that and pure speculation. It may come to fruition, it may not but I would also suggest that Mr Huang and his backers might not necessarily be the best people to buy the club. Remember that Hicks and Gillett were supposed to be the saviours and look what happened there. Huangs offer by all accounts is also to only buy out the debt of the club and not the club outright. This means the power struggle to oust the Americans would not be immediate and could become a long drawn out affair. Finally, these people are investors and will not throw good money after bad. They will expect returns on their investments. We may well have more money than city or chelsea but I very much doubt whether our transfer policy would be anything like Man Citys where they are throwing money round like confetti. Just sit back and wait until something concrete comes out of the club, and then discuss it.
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Hope we dont sign Why Me and May Come Soon..
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i heard they are appointing "hoo flung dung" as the supporters liason officer
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To be honest even if they do take over, I don't want them spending more than £50 million a season, even if we do have the backing 2500 x 1 Billion dollars.
I don't want to do a Citeh or Chelsea and blow money on overated players. China like Dubai needs to diversify it's money and put it into western assets, Dubai have been doing it for a while now. |
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Jibber,
Huang is just brokering the deal for the Chinese Government by all accounts, he went to RBS first because the Yanks messed him about a year back, by offering RBS their money back, he has quite cleverly short circuIted the stranglehold the Yanks have on our club. I'm usually not one for hyperbole but this is MASSIVE!!! |
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Tbh though UK we were prob the biggest spenders British football had known from the mid 70's to the late 80's.
Difference was we had Peter Johnson who made sure everything was done with class and humility. I will be glad to come out of this big mess with a club to support, let alone have some Champ manager fantasy scenario being played out. Also lets be frank, there are very few decent players out there to sign at the moment anyway. Just look at the Milner situation ffs  |
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Justin, He could have just approached the board in the normal way as there are five people involved in the decision process, Hicks, Gillet, Ayre, Purslow and Broughton. If they convince the other three then there is nothing the yanks can do about it
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Difference between us and City/Chelsea is that we already have history and prestige, we won't need to pay over the top, 200k a week, Yaya Toure money to attract players.
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Exactly SM, Im not a fan of what Man City have done in over paying for in all honesty what I would say are AVERAGE players. I hope we cap spending at £50 million, I would just like not to be in the situation we are now with the Americans, that would be great.
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JustinDaffodil Joined: 08 May 10
Replies: 258 05 Aug 10 00:40 Difference between us and City/Chelsea is that we already have history and prestige, we won't need to pay over the top, 200k a week, Yaya Toure money to attract players. its garbage like this which is why everyone hates liverpool suporters get over yourselves ffs |
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i remember when english clubs used to be english lol.why do these people want to buy english clubs?they could probably buy inter or or the likes for a fraction of this cash imo.chinese,russians,americans etc. one of those really long drawn out public enquiries needed.
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Rumours that the Indians Mbani and Roy are also at the table again. Theyve been interested before (I know that for certain) so there is probably some credence to that story.
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JustinDaffodil Joined: 08 May 10
Replies: 258 05 Aug 10 00:40 Difference between us and City/Chelsea is that we already have history and prestige, we won't need to pay over the top, 200k a week, Yaya Toure money to attract players. Honestly mate, not sure players give a f*ck about history or prestige. They all follow the cash. A bunch of mercenaries apart from the very few. If Galway Utd were taken over by the Chinese government then the players would follow. |
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this is the funniest thread of the year!
liverpool fans would celebrate if there was a rumour adolf hitler was taking over ffs! |
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timmy2988 05 Aug 10 00:54
JustinDaffodil Joined: 08 May 10 Replies: 258 05 Aug 10 00:40 Difference between us and City/Chelsea is that we already have history and prestige, we won't need to pay over the top, 200k a week, Yaya Toure money to attract players. Honestly mate, not sure players give a f*ck about history or prestige. They all follow the cash. A bunch of mercenaries apart from the very few. If Galway Utd were taken over by the Chinese government then the players would follow. Kaka, Villa, Ibra, Maicon etc The very best players do care, ask Gary Cook. |
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Where did they get the £150m figure from? They seem to have plucked it from thin air to get people excited.
Just because the Chinese govt has a lot of money doesn't mean they are going to do an Abramovich/Mansour, does it? I can just imagine the investment guy going back to the President and telling him he just bought an English football club and plans to run it at a £100m p/a loss... |
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id love yous to sign ibra
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3 out of the 4 players you mentioned went to barca or madrid and the other plays for the european champions.....
we dont have to agree Justin  Just think the history aspect of the cluv is not as relevant for players anymore |
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DaSizzler Joined: 09 Jul 03
Replies: 1971 05 Aug 10 00:46 JustinDaffodil Joined: 08 May 10 Replies: 258 05 Aug 10 00:40 Difference between us and City/Chelsea is that we already have history and prestige, we won't need to pay over the top, 200k a week, Yaya Toure money to attract players. its garbage like this which is why everyone hates liverpool suporters get over yourselves ffs I presume you also think that immigrants are taking all our jobs? |
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DaSizzler 05 Aug 10 00:46
JustinDaffodil Joined: 08 May 10 Replies: 258 05 Aug 10 00:40 Difference between us and City/Chelsea is that we already have history and prestige, we won't need to pay over the top, 200k a week, Yaya Toure money to attract players. its garbage like this which is why everyone hates liverpool suporters get over yourselves ffs Listen you bitter kunt, Torres took a pay cut to join us from Atletico FACT. Would he have done the same for Chelsea or City or QPR? |
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I am hopeful we can broker a deal away from the Chinese government. 30 pieces of silver for a country with an appalling human rights record. No thanks, some things are beyond money.
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Idealist mug.
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Torres took a pay cut ,right.What a f00kin buffoon.
Plastic scousers dropping their trousers for anyone that might come along.sickening i tell ya!! |
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charwell talking some sense, it would be like being owned by bin laden or george bush!
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brngtwt 05 Aug 10 01:11
Torres took a pay cut ,right.What a f00kin buffoon. Plastic scousers dropping their trousers for anyone that might come along.sickening i tell ya!! Seeeeething |
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JustinDaffodil Joined: 08 May 10
Replies: 260 05 Aug 10 01:05 DaSizzler 05 Aug 10 00:46 JustinDaffodil Joined: 08 May 10 Replies: 258 05 Aug 10 00:40 Difference between us and City/Chelsea is that we already have history and prestige, we won't need to pay over the top, 200k a week, Yaya Toure money to attract players. its garbage like this which is why everyone hates liverpool suporters get over yourselves ffs Listen you bitter kunt, Torres took a pay cut to join us from Atletico FACT. Would he have done the same for Chelsea or City or QPR? its all this history and prestige crAp youse come off with like your some sort of superior race which gets peoples backs up in the past you may have been a huge draw but not no more and the sooner youse learn that the better you bunch of fookin delusional mugz |
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Truth hurts, deal with it. Were LFC, the greatest and most successful club in Britain.
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