RK: How would you compare the management styles of NESV in comparison to that of Gillett and Hicks, based on your knowledge of American sports?
CR: John W Henry is a very good sports executive who gets the best people in and then gets the best out of them. Just compare the Red Sox (Henry) against the Texas Rangers (Hicks) they are just not in the same league.
RK: What are the main qualities that NESV will bring to Liverpool Football Club?
CR: NESV will not bring huge amounts of money, but they will spend wisely and they will bring top people both on and of the pitch.
RK: Will NESV be able to illustrate the same kind of passion and commitment to Liverpool Football Club as they have to the Red Sox and their other franchises?
CR: If I’m honest, I don’t think so. Baseball is America, it’s the game that the whole family goes to and I have to say soccer/football is still alien to a lot of us … Sorry. However, they will be committed to winning.
RK: How often can we expect to see NESV management at Anfield – will they be very hands on or leave things in the hands of appointed local management?
CR: Once they are happy with the people in place you will not see much of them. They do not get in the way of their managers … but if things are not going to plan they are ruthless and will sack anyone.
RK: How do you think NESV will undertake the task of engaging Liverpool supporters, understandably concerned at American ownership after the fiasco of the current owners?
CR: These guys will come over and say hi to the fans … you will find a very good PR team on it’s way, and they will have to be. You will get a no bull statement of what they want from the club and a little bit of razzle dazzle.
RK: Will NESV measure the success of their ownership on revenue or on-field performance?
CR: Sorry but at the end of it all it will come down to money, but they will see on field success as the means of providing this.
RK: How highly do you rate the chances of success for Liverpool Football Club under the ownership of NESV?
CR: I believe you have the chance to once again be giants in the sport. Yes they want money but to get the rewards you have to win and NESV are good at that. Again, I say look at the Red Sox then look at the Texas Rangers. 10 years ago look at the Red Sox, now look at us.
I wholeheartedly thank Christopher for taking the time to speak to me. If anyone has any specifically pertinent questions, I will be sure to ask. His thoughts are very interesting as a neutral observer, who’s respect for John W. Henry is sufficient for him to start following football with a soft spot for Liverpool. He does not avoid giving us some answers which may not sit well with some, for example when talking about the respective commitments to the Red Sox and Liverpool, and also as to whether financial gain or on field success will be paramount.
However, there is enough there to suggest that New England Sports Ventures can deliver stability, honesty and dignity back to the corridors of power at Anfield. The biggest trick to keep supporters happy, however, will be translating that into a Premier League title.
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MY FAMILY ARE ALL FROM BOSTON, AND I AM A LIVERPOOL FAN AS MY AUNTIE LIVES THEIR AND HAVE BEEN A LIVERPOOL FAN FOR YEARS, THEY ARE SIMILAR TYPE CLUBS, IN THEIR HISTORY, THEIR SET UP AND OVER ALL STANDINGS. LIVERPOOL IS A WORKING CLASS CITY A BIT LIKE BOSTON WAS YEARS AGO BOTH ALOT WITH IRISH AND EX PATS LIVING IN THEIR CITIES, THE PEOPLE FORM BOSTON ARE MOSTLY WARM AND PASSIONATE ABOUT SPORT, BIT LIKE THE PEOPLE FROM MERSEYSIDE. THEIR IS CLOSENESS WITH THE 2 CITIES.
Anybody who is prepared to spend a few hundred millions to buy a sports team will be extremely loaded and bored like Abramovich or Sheik Monsour or looking for some return of the investment. So, no surprise there. Of course they are in it to make a profit. People who dream of an owner who sees it as a fan should wake up and smell the coffee. If there was any Liverpool supporter out there who could afford to bankroll a successful team just for the sake of it, he or she would have come out long ago to stop the current demise.
Hate to nitpick, but the Sox had won a few pennants after Babe Ruth in 1918, but no World Series until John Henry liberated us famously.
I am a Red and Sox supporter who long ago saw the similarities and vaguely dreamt of this marriage. I am optimistic and would worry if I were a Manc.
Hicks was an incompetent owner at Texas. Too bad they have no relegation in US sport.
unmasked – jamie kanwar was standing outside anfield the other day sticking up for hicks and gillett well he would wouldnt he, he works for them as well as sky news, my arsenal is an anagram of his name. i am 99.9% sure its him, an evertonian i believe.
I see something really special in this website .