Rick Parry defends sale of Liverpool FC to Tom Hicks and George Gillett

Mar 26 2011 by James Pearce, Liverpool Echo

RICK PARRY has defended the decision to sell Liverpool to Tom Hicks and George Gillett in February 2007.

The former Reds chief executive insists his preference and that of chairman David Moores was to do business with Dubai International Capital (DIC).

However, after they dropped out of the running a bid from the American duo was accepted that valued the club at £218.9million.

The reign of Hicks and Gillett proved hugely divisive before being forced out by Fenway Sports Group’s takeover last October.

“It wasn’t a case of us rejecting Dubai,” Parry said.

“They were the preferred bidder but they walked away.

“I think one of the fundamental (problems) was that they (Hicks and Gillett) actually didn’t get on terribly well with each other.”

Parry, who left Anfield in February 2009, believes Hicks and Gillett never fully appreciated what they were taking on but insists life under them wasn’t all bad.

He said: “The intensity of English football is completely different, particularly when you’re taking on a club like Liverpool. You’ve got a particular passion and things have to be done the Liverpool way.

“You change that and underestimate the power of the supporters at your peril. It’s difficult to understand that from afar. Kenny (Dalglish) understands that and he has done a great job unifying the club.

“Don’t forget and certainly until I left we were second in the league. The business plan was a net spend of £20m on players. And they’d over delivered on that.

“They took us pretty close to winning the Premier League in 2008-2009, within four points of Manchester United with a huge points total (86).

“So it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Then, in 2009, for whatever reason, there didn’t appear to be any net spend at all on the players. By which time they clearly realised that they probably needed to sell completely.

“The great privilege you have as a fan is you can see everything in black and white. In reality everything tends to be shades of grey.

“You have a desperate desire to find the simple solution. Sometimes there isn’t one.”

Parry’s relationship with former boss Rafa Benitez was often turbulent but he insists they remain on good terms.

“You don’t get into the business if you want people who are easy,” he said. “You want people who are winners. He’s very demanding and he’s a perfectionist. But I’m still friendly with Rafael.”