Gillett explains Reds stance
by Tom Adams, 14 March 2008
George Gillett claims that the weakness of the dollar has influenced his decision to step back from Liverpool, but despite recent controversy the American says he is ‘proud’ of Rafa Benitez’s side.
Gillett is looking to sell his 50 percent stake in the Anfield club after a 12 months in control that started with Liverpool fans welcoming both himself and Tom Hicks with open arms, but has since seen the club’s supporters call for their exit after a number of PR disasters.
Chief amongst them was the decision to sound out Jurgen Klinsmann as a possible replacement for Benitez, and it is believed that disagreements over the handling of the affair helped create a rift between the two American owners.
Gillett, though, has explained that the weakness of the American dollar has been behind his decision to scale down his involvement and seek buyers for his stake.
"We've invested internationally with Liverpool and with Montreal in Canada, and it's had a very positive effect on both of them from the standpoint of strengthening the value," Gillett is quoted in The Independent.
"On the other hand, it's made it more difficult in terms of investing in those businesses because the dollar is really tremendously weak compared to where we started. It just costs us more to send money to those franchises, those businesses."
Gillett, who also owns the Montreal Canadians hockey team and the Gillett Evernham Motorsports NASCAR team, added he is delighted with Liverpool’s recent performances under Rafa Benitez.
"I'm really enjoying all three [teams], but for different reasons,” Gillett added.
“In Liverpool, it's a long distance away and there's been a fair amount of controversy over there. In spite of that, the boys are playing very well and I'm proud of them."