One of the most worrying things for me about Rafa Benitez’s sacking by Liverpool was not so much why it happened but how it happened. Rafa had had several discussions with the Liverpool board over the previous couple of weeks before his sacking, no doubt top of the agenda was most likely transfer funding and the need to rebuild the squad over the summer. After a seventh place finish, changes were obviously needed to be made to the squad and Rafa was fully aware that this process needed to be started sooner rather than later.
The sacking of the manager has of course grounded everything to a stand still and no transfers of significance will be negotiated until a new manager is in place. Rumours over transfers being on the rocks which were apparently finalised by Benitez, is however unsettling. The Bosman free transfer of Serbian international striker Milan Jovanovic was supposed to be done and dusted, but it has become unclear in recent days whether an agreement is actually in place, and according to reports in Italy, Rafa Benitez and Inter Milan are looking at the possibility of bringing the player to the San Siro.
Considering the lack of money at the disposal of the board, the loss of free transfer players such as Jovanovic could make the new Liverpool manager’s job even more difficult. The uncertainty of who will be in charge at Anfield may put off many potential players who may like to come here. Free transfer targets such as Martin Petrov or even Joe Cole could just look elsewhere even though they might have considered the possibility of moving to Merseyside if the managerial situation was clearer.
Being stuck in limbo for a long time could have detrimental effects on the team next season as the Reds could miss out on potential transfer targets, and lose players like Jovanovic who might give the squad that extra bit of quality. That’s why I hope the managerial situation is decided upon sooner rather than later. The World Cup does of course give the Liverpool board some time to decide on a new manager as many of the players at the tournament may decide on their futures after the competition. Others though may want their futures decided earlier, and if the Reds don’t have anyone in place, players could slip through our fingers as we go into pre-season training with a new manager but no new recruits.
If we have no new recruits, and some of our big players decide to leave the club after the World Cup, where does that leave us? It gives any new manager barely three weeks before Europa League qualifying to assemble a team. A team that flattered to deceive last season and one that the previous manager knew he had to change in the summer. I do not envy the task of a manager going into the first competitive match of the season without a team he is happy with. Of course a massive overhaul of the squad is not needed, and for many players, only a boost in confidence is required, but every new manager has his own opinion on players, he will need more than just a few weeks to get a team he’s happy with. What happens then if we start the season poorly because of this? Do we sack the manager again?
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Don’t forget the loss of crucial backroom staff. The high profile coaching staff and the new world class Australian medical director would be perfectly entitled to review their positions given the actions of this maverick board. If I was a top manager, I’d regard LFC as major risk. That’s why we are considering the distinctly average Hodgson. He’s failed before and can do it again, with little harm to his reputation.
So where as the gutter press in the UK are totally unreliable gossip mongers, the Italian press are more believable ?
The player himself has said he has ‘signed’ a pre contract agreement and only needs to obtain his work permit. He is released from his contract, and as such a free agent as of 01st July 2010.
Pre contract agreements are legally binding and if Jovanovic signed for another team Liverpool would be entitled to a transfer fee.
Yes what other crap can I think of to try and frighten Liverpool supports with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hang on Liverpool 8 has been abducted by aliens!
Jovanovic will sign for Liverpool, the papers talk a lot of s**t, so far Gerrard,Torres,Kuyt,Mascherano,Aquilani,Johnson,Lucas,Agger, Skrtel and Jovanovic have all been linked with Inter and I dont think any of them will go maybe Mascherano but hopefully not, Jovanovic is a Liverpool fan and turned down the likes AC Milan and Bayern Munich to sign for us ,he has signed a pre contract agreement and said he dreams of playing at Anfield,he will be coming in but two players who look to be on their way out are Riera and Benayoun so if we could get J.Cole on a free to replace Benny it would be a great help.
“One of the most worrying things for me about Rafa Benitez’s SACKING by Liverpool”
Shurely shome mishtake 😉
Mutual consent?
The official LFC site have included Jovanovic as one of the LFC players at the World Cup, adding some proviso each time like, “set to sign” or “not yet signed”or some such.