The feelings I experienced when reading the news that Rafa was heading for the Anfield exit door were by no means the ones I had expected.
The first feeling that hit me was that of surprise. Despite all the speculation and paper talk I honestly couldn’t see him leaving, certainly not at this current stage. Rafa was adamant he wanted to stay and re build the battered and depleted squad that had done so poorly last season and the way I understood it, Liverpool couldn’t afford to sack him.
Once I had recovered from the initial shock, a feeling came over me that I really never expected and that was one of sadness (I’ve thought for a while now that it was time for a change of manager). Yes, at times Rafa’s dealings in the transfer market have left a lot to be desired and yes, his defensive nature has cost Liverpool a bucket full of points over the past 5 years, but there have been some great times as well, Istanbul 2005, thrashing United in the league last season and the mauling of a great Real Madrid side in the Champions League.
The final feeling and the one that remains with me now is one of contentment and optimism for the future. Over the past few years a combination of poor ownership, poor management, poor players and poor publicity has severely tarnished the reputation of what was once the leading force in European football. Liverpool FC now find themselves in a position where they need to rediscover themselves both on and off the pitch and the appointment of a new man in charge, with new ideas and visions can only help this process.
A change of manager and hopefully in the coming months a change of ownership will give Liverpool FC the thing that is needed most at the club. A clean slate.
Follow us on twitter @live4Liverpool
Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at editor@live4liverpool.com
finally someone who sees sense in this sacking! well put!!
Pleaseee Torres and Gerrard Stay with LFC
We love u forever……..
Good point.
Finally a good article in a Liverpool’s way: optimism & positive sense surroinding the article.
I’ve also fell mixed sensations about Rafa’s sack but Yes, I agree, a change was needed to get into the CLub fresh ideas and a new perspective to bring on the Club.
Now it’s the time to reinstallate the greatness of Liverpool’s mighty boot room.
Under the oversee of King Kenny, I have to say that I’m sleeping very very quietly in these days.
Rafa’s never had a good transfer record, and although the Ownership has to change sooner rather than later, I feel very happy because Rafa has always involved in political fight at Board Room Level.
Liverpool need stability.
Martyn Minker
I will reserve judgement until I see which players remain at the club. I’d also like to see what calibre of manager we can replace Rafa with, and what type of players he will be allowed to buy. Your assumption that change is positive might be true, but I think change at the top with new owners was much more preferable to me.
Will your contentment and optimism be the same if we can’t attract a good manager? Will you also feel the same if it appears players are being sold to pay down the club debts? We keep getting told it was player power that got Rafa the sack. So from this I deduce we are going to keep all our top players now.
Remember Tom Hicks said we are in for big transfer window, and remember Rafa had the right to veto any sale or purchase of players under the terms of his new contract signed last year. Now he’s gone they can sell anyone they like. I will give good odds that the yanks are secretly hoping that the likes of Gerrard and Torres decide to go. I bet they intimate to Gerrard and Torres in a roundabout way that there is no money for big transfers, and then Gerrard and Torres will become disillusioned and probably decide to go. Kenny Dalglish could be unwittingly used by the board then to see through the sale of these players with some fans then believing it’s his fault and leaving Kenny hung out to dry. All of the money received will then be used to pay down the debt.
I wrote in many post before beware what you wish for, and I certainly don’t feel your contentment and optimism.