Morgan cash injection could undermine Houllier
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier’s job would appear to be under threat if millionaire building magnate Steve Morgan’s proposal to inject £73m (€108m) into the club is successful.
Morgan, who outlined the details of his bid at a Warrington hotel this morning, is known to be a critic of the current Anfield boss and he refused to back the Frenchman when offered the chance to.
And although he would not have the power to oust the manager should his bid be accepted and his share in the club increased, Morgan – who currently owns 5% of shares – would certainly make waves in the boardroom about the direction Liverpool are heading in.
“It is neither the time nor the place to be discussing the future of the manager,” he said.
“I am a fan of any manager who is manager of Liverpool Football Club. His track record over the last few signings has not been good. He has made mistakes but haven’t we all.
“The manager has had some success over the last six years but every supporter would have been disappointed to finish fifth last year and hopefully finishing fourth this year.
“We are closer to the bottom than to the top and that has to change. We have got to be fighting for the Premiership [title] next year.
Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is attempting to buy a 30% share in the club for £60m (€88m) but Jersey-based Morgan is determined to keep interest in the club home-based if possible.
“None of us know the details of the bid from the Thai Prime Minister. I do have a concern that someone who does not have the interest of the club at heart would end up owning 30%,” he said.
The businessman also revealed if his bid was accepted the majority of the money raised would be used for improving the current playing squad but he stressed it was important for the club to make a quick decision.
“The capital would go into two pots. I am not sure how the pot will split but I will see the majority going to strengthening the playing squad,” he said.
“The transfer window is relatively short. The squad needs strengthening right now. There is no point in Nero fiddling while Rome burns. We need to get on with getting players into the club.
“It is a very easy deal to do, there are no strings attached.”
The former Redrow Homes boss denied he had an issue with Anfield chairman David Moores and claimed he was seeking to work with him, not against him.
“I think it is fair to say we have had our differences in the past as to how the club is run but we have both got the interests of Liverpool Football Club at heart and we share the passion of that,” Morgan told a press conference at a Warrington hotel this morning.
“I have nothing personal against David at all. I disagree with some of the policies of the club in the past but it is not a personal issue.”
