Liverpool's local Red Army fans eagerly watched the progress of the takeover every day. They naturally hoped that the club would quickly get out of the control of the two American owners, so that Liverpool could get back on track and even develop by leaps and bounds.
With the American owner Hicks slow to give in, Liverpool's die-hard fans collectively wrote a joint letter and published it in the Echo.
The campaign resonated in Liverpool, with thousands of Liverpool fans signing their names at the end of the letter.
"An open letter to the owners of Liverpool. If you agree, please sign your name.
Dear Mr. Gillette and Mr. Hicks,
If you opened any newspaper this morning, you would probably see reports about the chaos in Liverpool's current situation.
In the past, our club used to make headlines for various reasons, such as winning trophies or achieving glory, etc.
Only other clubs would let their internal affairs become a public soap opera. When we read those messy gossip reports, we were glad that it did not happen to us. None of this was the 'Liverpool way'.
Even during the period when we performed poorly on the pitch, Liverpool had always been the pride of the fans.
We knew that the club had always acted calmly and with dignity, so we would spare no effort to support the team's management.
But in your days in charge of the team, you have accomplished many impossible tasks. Not only have you subverted the fine traditions that should have been inherited when you took over, but you have also swept away the professionalism and cautious attitude that the club had accumulated through hardships.
To be honest, if you deliberately wanted to destroy your investment and your credibility with the fans, I think maybe you could have done it a little more thoroughly.
Today, as one of the owners of Liverpool Football Club, you have become an undignified destroyer, a boss who is suspected of dividing the fans.
You have destroyed the global fan base of the most successful football club in British history – what a great achievement!
It is said that you relied on a loan to finally complete the acquisition of the club.
It does not seem to be the case. Previously, you said that this was your investment, but now, contrary to your promise, the team seems to have become the place where you build your debt.
Thank you, that's enough!
The difference between your flowery words and your actions is simply too great.
Forget the debts. If you receive the purchase contract, accept it, and leave with your little windfall.
You can switch to anything you're interested in. We only have one club and he's very precious to us!
The trust you have lost can no longer be recovered through crisis PR, the purchase of players, or a few gorgeous renderings of the new stadium.
Put an end to this regrettable crisis before the chaos you have wrought on this side of the Atlantic becomes unmanageable!
Sincerely yours.
Matt Irwin
John Bradley
David Gill
Matt Landesen
Rob Jones
.....”
This open letter filled the entire front page of the Echo. There wasn't much content, but there were too many signatures. It was densely packed with names.
This was the more dignified approach of Liverpool's die-hard fans. The less dignified ones would go to the two American bosses' doorsteps to demonstrate and even send threatening letters, hoping that they would leave as soon as possible.
On July 18, Liverpool's two American bosses finally reached an agreement to sell all of the club's shares to Dalian Wanda Group!
On July 19, Wang Jianlin parachuted into Liverpool with his son, Wang Sicong, and the newly formed management team!
The British media swarmed in, and Liverpool held an official press conference to announce the club's change of ownership. The new CEO, Wilcote, gave an inaugural speech. He was a management talent that Wang Jianlin had poached from the United States.
Wilcote's speech was impassioned. He expressed his reverence for Liverpool's long history, lost glory days, and rich heritage. Then, when looking to the future, he passionately stated that the team would strive to win trophies to restore Liverpool's glory!
Wang Jianlin personally accepted an interview with The Times. In his original intention of acquiring Liverpool, he said that he was a football fan. He used to own a club in China and achieved unprecedented success. After this history was dug up by the British media, Wang Jianlin was described as the "Abu" of Chinese football in the last century.
When asked about the management of Liverpool, Wang Jianlin said that he fully respected the traditions of British football. The club owner would not interfere too much with the operation of the team. He was only responsible for the investment, and the specific operations would be left to the professionals.
The most immediate interest of the club was definitely the construction of the team.
Wang Jianlin said, "All the club's transfer operations are still frozen. We have to re-evaluate the team and then make the best decision. Of course, we will buy new players. I will give the fans a surprise gift. I hope they will like it. As for the manager, Benítez, I haven't talked to him yet. His future is still uncertain. Maybe he has his own ideas. We will respect everyone on the team. "
At the end of the interview, Wang Jianlin expressed his hope that through this acquisition and future operations, he could strengthen the exchange between British football and China's football and bring back the successful experience of European football to China. He also admitted that he would develop some new club projects to give Chinese young players the opportunity to learn football in Europe.
Liverpool fans celebrated the departure of the two American swindlers locally, but they became wary of the new boss!
Who knew if the new boss was another swindler who only knew how to exaggerate?
They had to see the results in reality before they could trust the Chinese boss.
Wang Sicong became a member of Liverpool's new board of directors. He had no real power, but his power was enormous.
Wang Jianlin could not leave his career in China and stay in Britain every day. It was even impossible to follow him.
Wang Sicong would be in charge behind the scenes, but Wang Jianlin also set rules and boundaries for him. He was not allowed to intervene in the club's daily affairs. Wang Sicong only had the right to command at critical moments when important decisions were made.
And the one who would accept Wang Sicong's command would definitely be the CEO, Wilcote.
Qin Xiong, as one of the behind-the-scenes acquirers, was hidden. Wang Sicong, as a director, would also establish contact with Qin Xiong. This might be the best way to cooperate after their discussion.
Qin Xiong did not ask about the business operations, but Wang Sicong also had to listen to Qin Xiong in the arrangement of competitive affairs!
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