Shepherd hits out at Benitez
Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has hit back at Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez’s claims he tried his hardest to re-sign Michael Owen and would welcome him back into his squad.
Benitez sold the striker to Real Madrid within months of his arrival as manager at Anfield when doubts arose over the England international’s long-term commitment to the club.
However, when Owen became available again after just one season in Spain Benitez lost out to Newcastle’s £17m (€25m) bid to bring him home.
Ahead of Owen’s return to Anfield with his new club later today Benitez said despite his failed best efforts he would still be interested in re-signing the former Red.
That brought an angry response from Shepherd.
“Does Rafa Benitez really think that the British public do not know the facts and are stupid?” he told the Daily Mirror.
“We have a club that had just won the Champions League and was looking round Europe for a top striker. Now they want us to believe that they tried their best for Michael.
“It was Newcastle United who did everything they could to sign Michael Owen. We are happy with what we have bought and Michael is more than happy to be here.”
