Tommo backs Rafa's Reds - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 17 Sept 2004
Tommo backs Rafa's Reds
By John Thompson, Liverpool Echo

LEAVING Liverpool Football Club in the wake of Gerard Houllier's departure
was, admits Phil Thompson, 'a hell of a wrench'.

But he says it was a totally different experience to that he endured when
he previously left the club's back-room staff, sent packing by Graeme
Souness over allegations he had been disloyal in private remarks about the
Scot's managerial abilities.

Then, in 1992, Thompson felt hurt at what he saw as malicious second hand
rumours being taken as fact.

This time, he left his assistant manager's post with warm handshakes, an
understanding of the desire for change, and giving his full backing to the
new regime.

On Wednesday, Thompson returned to Anfield to co-commentate on the game
against Monaco for Sky TV.

Thompson is already back in the Saturday afternoon media role he enjoyed
for six years with Sky - but still misses his involvement in 'a dream job'.
Said the boyhood Kopite and former European Cup-winning Liverpool captain:
"It was a big wrench to leave but this time it was much more amicable than
last and more professional.

"Last time, I felt it was personal - I have no qualms about that.

"I said to Rick Parry and to David Moores when I left this summer that I
have nothing to feel aggrieved about and I thanked them for giving me six
great years."

Going back to Liverpool as assistant to Houllier after having been out of
football for so long, Thompson described returning in 1998 as a fantastic
opportunity.

He said: "Of course, leaving a club you have supported, played for and then
been involved in running for so long hurts - but that's football".

Thompson knows the failure to bring the Premiership title was the ultimate
reason behind his and Houllier's departure.

He said: "It was up to me to help bring success to the club and I feel I
helped Gerard do that.

"We did have a couple of League Cups and we brought the FA Cup and the UEFA
Cup in the treble season, of which I have some incredible memories.

"Every Liverpool manager before and after Gerard will, though, be judged on
whether they bring the League title to Anfield.

"Gerard wanted to build a club and a team that could and would win the
title. That was always our main aim and when we finished fourth, then
third, then second, we were then all hoping and expecting.

"I guess it just wasn't to be, though. But Gerard Houllier nearly gave his
life trying to get there."

Thompson, who took the reins for six months after Houllier's collapse with
a ruptured aorta, said he had no doubt at the time of his illness that
Houllier would come back, because of his passion for the game and his love
of the club."

He said: "I am not daft and he is not daft - we know things went wayward in
the last 12 months but it wasn't for the lack of trying.

"I appreciate people saying we finished 30 points behind Arsenal last
season but they had an extraordinary season going unbeaten.

"I do, however, think people get a bit blinkered and just look at the last
12 months, when things did not go well. But I don't care what anyone says,
the club is in a better state than it was before Gerard Houllier was
appointed manager.

"The Academy, which was being planned, opened during our time and Melwood
was redeveloped into one of the finest, state-ofthe-art training complexes
to be found anywhere.

"There's also the new stadium to come and it's a shame we won't be there to
see it opened. But Liverpool will have one of the best football clubs in
the world, all told.

Added Thompson: "Gerard Houllier always wanted to leave a legacy - and he
has done that."

Tommo on: Benitez

"I HAD a meeting with Rafael Benitez before I left the club and was aware
of what he wanted.

"I said I understood and there was no problem with me leaving. I realised
he felt the need to change things and bring in his own staff.

"Actually, I found him a really nice guy, as I did his assistant, Paco
Ayesteran. Both of them were top class the way they handled the change.

"After what Rafa did in Spain he was always going to be a top candidate if
Gerard had to go.

"In the space of a few months, Benitez built a team to topple Real Madrid
and Barcelona. That's not lucky; that means you are tops at your job.

"I hope he can manage to bring to Anfield what we didn't - the Premiership
title. The fans want it so badly and they deserve it.

"We have had too much mickey-taking for too long from Manchester and
nothing would give me more pleasure than to see Rafa and his team bring it
back.

"But people must be patient - he has to stamp his style and his authority
on the team.

"Good luck to him and his staff.

"The same goes to Rick Parry and David Moores. I know how difficult it was
to make the decision they did - but big decisions must be made."

Tommo on: Leaving Liverpool
"I FOUND it difficult at first when they started pre-season training and I
was no longer part of it. It did feel strange - the club has been in my
blood all my life.

"The hardest thing is taking my kids to school in West Derby and driving
past Melwood. It was a great place to work and the people there, right down
to the girls in the restaurant, were first class.

"Obviously, I miss working with Gerard. He was always meticulous in
everything we did. I had to make sure a lot of what he wanted and demanded
was delivered.

"Sammy Lee, too, was a terrific support and colleague throughout my time at
the club, particularly during that spell as caretaker manager when Gerard
was recovering.

"I had a great relationship with Sammy - he would have been a great
assistant manager - but of course he has moved to the England set-up, where
I'm sure he will be a great asset.

"I loved everything about the job to be honest - even the opposition fans
who used to taunt me with that 'sit down Pinocchio' chant. It became a bit
of a soap opera in a way with the Kop responding back to them.

"To hear the Manchester City fans chanting; 'Where is Pinocchio?' during
Liverpool's first home game this season made me laugh."

Tommo on: Memories
"WINNING the UEFA Cup was a special experience. There were some great
places we visited during the run and some great games along the way, right
up to end with the final against Alaves.

"I'll always cherish those memories, particularly that night in Germany. It
was one of the greatest and most dramatic European finals ever.

"And we made Cardiff a second home.

"I'll never forget winning the FA Cup against the odds against Arsenal.
"No-one was bothered that day, particularly at the party we had that night.

"During the game when we were 1-0 down I well remember Marcus Babbel, who
was a really good professional, pushing himself forward to try and help get
us an equaliser.

"Then he got up against Tony Adams to challenge for a header and Michael
struck.

"A few minutes later, Michael got his second and the cup was ours.

"It was an incredible few minutes, an emotional occasion and a wonderful day."

Tommo on: The future
"I LOVE the game and maybe there will come a time when I will go back into
it in some capacity.

"But contrary to what was reported in the ECHO, I was never interviewed for
the job at Chester. I was approached by Chester but I decided not to pursue
an interest in it because I didn't feel it was right for Phil Thompson.

"That was before Ian Rush took the job and I wish Rushie well in it. I have
known he has wanted to get into the coaching side for some time and develop
himself in the game.

"For Mark Lawrenson to say what he did about Ian wasn't right. Mark had a
go at management at Oxford and no-one complained about him being given a
chance.

"If Ian feels it is right for him that is all that matters. Chester are
very lucky people to have him.

"I'm now back at Sky working with Rodney Marsh, Frank McLintock and Charlie
Nicholas. After six years away it did seem a bit strange going back but I
used to enjoy the media work and hopefully it will build up again."

Tommo on: Academy
"PEOPLE said we never gave young lads a chance but noone would have been
more proud of them progressing than me and Sammy Lee.

"It was a joke - people would say lads from Kirkby had a better chance of
making the reserves.

"I would get a buzz out of local lads coming through. But first team
players don't grow on trees.

"Gerard was adamant if there were youngsters who could have helped us win
more games we would take them. I don't under-stand why people think we
wouldn't.

"In the last 12 months we brought six players from the Academy to Melwood.
Look at Neil Mellor, Jon Otsemobor and John Welsh. We brought them through,
played them in cup games and sent them on loan to gain experience.

"Patrice Bergues and Sammy went to the Academy every week to meet Hughie
McCauley, Dave Shannon and Steve Heighway.

"I'm not saying everything was perfect, but we did give young lads a chance
and am aggrieved people say we didn't."

Tommo on: The media
"CONTRARY to what people said, we didn't have a problem with ex-players
working in the media saying things about us - other than for a few who
seemed to enjoy being critical and hurtful.

"There are many former players in the media and we never had a problem with
that. People like Alan Hansen, who is the best in the business, never
caused us any concern.

"John Aldridge is another one who speaks his mind but who we never had an
issue with. He was always held in high esteem.

"Really, it is how explayers go about it that matters. Saying things in the
right manner is what's important.

"I would like people to think that I am constructive in analysing the games
I talk about. But there are some people who come across as vindictive and
almost personal with what they say.

"When we reacted to people being malicious or taking the proverbial it was
because we wanted to protect the players and the club."