Liverpool chief Ian Ayre has defended the clubs process of appointing the new Liverpool manager, and criticised Dave Whelan for his running commentary.
Many Liverpool fans will have noticed how Dave Whelan, chief at Wigan, and his counterpart at Swansea, Huw Jenkins, acted like polar opposites as Liverpool discussed the vacant role with Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo Ian Ayre said:
'Our aim from the outset was to conduct a proper, thorough, search, and do it in the proper manner.
'From our point of view, we did all the right things. We approached the clubs we needed to approach, and conducted ourselves properly at all times.
'It is disappointing, then, that Dave Whelan felt the need to run the kind of sideshow he conducted via Sky Sports News and various other media outlets.
'To be honest, I always thought John Bishop was the biggest comedian in the north west, but Dave Whelan seems to have taken that mantle over the last couple of weeks!
'It is important to understand that we ran a proper search to find a new manager, and that part of that involved us speaking to a number of candidates.
'We make no secret of the fact we spoke with Roberto Martinez, but that is all we did. He is a great guy, and I can't speak highly enough of his professionalism and conduct.
'But for his chairman to make suggestions like he has, and suggestions that just aren't true, well it is disappointing to say the least. We can say with absolute certainty that the only person who was made any offer by Liverpool Football Club is Brendan Rodgers.'
Dave Whelan the comedian? Really? We ‘sold the family silver to Gillet and Hicks who then bled the club dry. Pretty sure there were plenty of people laughing at us. We’ve had 4 managers in 4 seasons – more for people to laugh at. Adidas binned us off for not being succesful – more lauhgter – Ayre should get on with catching up with Man Utd after being in their commercial shadow for 20 years rather than pointing the finger at others.
Dave Whelan , played football at all levels including an FA cup final . been chairman of a football club in all 4 divisions, Ian Ayres a yes man for Gillette and Hicks , been part of the worst 5 years of Liverpool history in living memory. Choose your comedian
The point is that Dave whelan didnt conduct himself very professionally with his string of announcements.
Ian ayre is also responsible for getting standard chartered on board, id say he is far from a comedian
It seems that Dave Whelan is disappointed we didn’t recruit the services of Roberto Martinez. That would have given him great publicity together with the bragging rights of how great a manager Roberto is!
DOWNING IS THE BEST COMEDIAN EVER