Liverpool co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett revealed that they had talks with Jurgen Klinsmann to become the club's next manager. "We attempted to negotiate an option as an insurance policy to have Klinsmann become manager if Rafael left for Real Madrid or other clubs that were rumored in the press. Or in case our communication spiraled out of control for some reason," Hicks told the Liverpool Echo. "We had a meeting with him recently and he confirmed his stay at Anfield and we also gave him great support for his plans." Benitez have been reportedly in a rift with the Reds' bosses and it was rumoured that he could be out of Liverpool this winter. But Hicks played down those speculations confirming that Klinsmann's talks were just a back-up plan. The former Germany boss will take charge of Bayern Munich next July succeeding to Ottmar Hitzfeld who will become Switzerland manager.
