Parry: Reds must play Champs League
Former Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry believes the new manager's main priority should be getting the club back into the Champions League.
By ESPNSTAR.com staff
Like so many associated with Liverpool, Parry is disappointed with the club's failure to qualify for the Champions League this season. Despite three consecutive omissions from Europe's top competition, Parry insists that a club of their stature must have a place in the tournament.
"We always said to be in the Champions League isn't a goal, it's a minimum requirement," he said to BBC Sport.
"It's tougher now, but I don't think it was unrealistic to at least be looking at being in contention last year."
The Reds amassed several trophies while Parry was still working at the club, and the Englishman firmly believes the period of success was because of the appointment of appropriate managers.
"If you look at the criteria we applied when we appointed Gerard and Rafa they were a little different, even in that five-year period. With Gerard we deliberately decided we wanted to bring in some continental experience. With the advent of the Champions League, France were very much in the ascendancy, so we thought he would bring something fresh," Parry shared.
"We parted company with Gerard having qualified for the Champions League because our standard then was we wanted to be in contention for winning the league. We wanted someone young and hungry, not someone looking for a pension. Rafa, having won the league twice with Valencia, was a perfect fit."
Several candidates identified by club management have since turned down the opportunity to take over at the helm of Liverpool, leaving Wigan's Roberto Martinez as the leading choice. Parry admits it might be difficult for the Reds to get the man that they really want.
"You first of all set the criteria very tightly, from my experience that led us to a shortlist of one. In each instance we got the person we were looking for," he said.
"In every negotiation there is skill, a bit of luck and the third element is timing. Sometimes that is in your favour, sometimes it isn't because it is all about the right people being available."