Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) took drastic measures with one of their other sports clubs, the Boston Red Sox, over the weekend
John Henry at the Boston Red Sox vs Detroit Tigers match at Fenway Park
John Henry at the Boston Red Sox vs Detroit Tigers match at Fenway Park(Image: (Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Fenway Sports Group chief executive Sam Kennedy has moved to defend John Henry after the Liverpool chief was branded 'cowardly'. Henry has faced backlash from Boston Red Sox fans for his continued public silence after parting ways with team manager Alex Cora and five members of his coaching staff over the weekend.
The Red Sox have had a dismal start to the new season, and despite recording a huge 17-1 victory against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, the decision was made to remove Cora from his post, along with his backroom team. While Henry released a statement via the Red Sox, he has not spoken to the media publicly about the decision. It has also been six years since Henry last spoke to the media.
And Brittany Ghiroli, a reporter for The Athletic, criticised Henry's lack of direct communication with the franchise's supporters.
She wrote: "Cora took to social media at 4 a.m. Sunday morning with the message “Happy!” and a smiley face. Certainly doesn’t sound like someone missing their boss. It sounds like someone thrilled to be out of a toxic situation and not upset to be out of Boston’s dugout before May.
"Maybe I’m misinterpreting it. After all, it’s just one word. But it’s one more word than Henry spoke to the media, the fans or the players. The owner’s silence isn’t golden; it’s cowardly and speaks volumes about how one of the sport’s most iconic franchises has become rudderless."
But in response, Kennedy said: “John Henry is deeply engaged with this organisation. He has been since day one, going all the way back to 2002.
“For those of you who know John, he doesn’t always do it in the most public-facing way. He’s very selective in terms of how he engages with the media.
“But that should not ever be confused with a lack of involvement or care. I’ve been stating for years the level of involvement that John has.
John Henry, principle owner of Liverpool FC, and his wife, Linda Pizzuti, with the Premier League trophy.
John Henry, principle owner of Liverpool FC, and his wife, Linda Pizzuti, with the Premier League trophy.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
“Nothing’s wavered there whatsoever, and the passion and care is there. But I think there’s this misperception because he engages with the media on a select basis, not engaging with talk radio, not engaging in a back-and-forth press conference over the last several years.
“I understand that raises some question. But I am here to tell you that he is deeply, deeply engaged in this franchise and everything across all of Fenway Sports Group.”
As a result of Cora's sacking, it is the first time that the Red Sox have fired a manager during an active season since Jimy Williams suffered the same fate in August 2001.
FSG owns a number of global sports clubs, including Liverpool, the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Penguins. They also have teams in NASCAR racing and TMRW Golf League (TGL).
Content Image
Content Image