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Hicks: Liverpool need one, strong owner

The Mail on Sunday says Hicks has escalated the battle for control of Anfield to breaking point by insisting that he wants to introduce a new team to run the club's finances within the next six weeks.

The Texan's declaration of intent is the latest round in his increasingly bitter stand-off with fellow American owner George Gillett and the club's chief executive, Rick Parry.

Hicks says he wants Parry removed from the job he has held for 10 years and a new CEO to be in position before the end of May.

Hicks is understood to favour the promotion to chief executive of commercial director Ian Ayre, a Liverpudlian who was brought in to the club last year to try to boost Liverpool's revenue-making operations around the world.

He said: "Rick Parry has been Liverpool's CEO for 10 years and we haven't won a league championship under his leadership. Our commercial revenues have not kept up with other top clubs during that time, which has made it very difficult to compete for the Premier League.

"After watching him operate, I came to the conclusion it was time to ask him to resign, due to his inability to manage an organisation, his seemingly arrogant attitude to our supporters and his lack of communication with Rafa.

"I reached my decision a few weeks ago but waited until after the games against Everton and Arsenal. It is important to try to have a new CEO in place by May so we can begin working with Rafa on player transfers."

He also said: "It's time for Liverpool to have one strong owner to give Rafa the support he needs to win trophies, grow our commercial revenues worldwide and build the best stadium in the world. I believe I am that owner.

"Under my ownership, Ian Ayre, Philip Nash [the finance director] and Rafa Benitez would make an outstanding management team. As we prepare to move into our new stadium in 2011, we will have the resources to be competitive year in and year out, and restore Liverpool Football Club to its position as the No 1 club in the world."

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