THE hunt for Liverpool’s new manager is on, and with such lofty ambitions, it’s crucial that FSG find the right person for the job.
A strange thing has happened, though. The Liverpool job has suddenly become undesirable, and managers seem to almost be lining up to reject our advances.
It’s probably understandable why one of Europe’s biggest footballing jobs has lost its sheen.
We’ve just fired our third manager in the space of three years, and the club has just completed its worst ever Premier League season.
The structure of the club itself appears uncertain, and nobody really knows for sure the footballing direction Liverpool wishes to take. There’s also been no decision made regarding the stadium, and in general, uncertainty lurks at every corner of Anfield. The size of the task facing our prospective manager must surely appear rather daunting.
Because of these factors, Liverpool FC looks from the outside to have become something of a risky endeavour, and it’s no surprise that many prominent names have already turned the club down. Sadly, it now looks like the only two names remaining in FSG’s somewhat long shortlist are far from ideal, and here’s why.
Martinez’s rise to prominence stems from the glorious manner in which he kept Wigan alive. His daring attacking style of play took many teams by surprise, and won the admiration of the Liverpool hierarchy. While Martinez’s exploits were indeed commendable, it seems to me though that we are judging Martinez solely on one good season.
Furthermore, Liverpool needs someone who is not just tactically astute. The club needs someone who can plan long into the future, and develop a footballing infrastructure that is both successful and sustainable over the long run. Martinez, with all due respect, is too much of an unknown quantity in this aspect, particularly at the level Liverpool need to be at.
AVB on the other hand is clearly a man with big plans, and while he might have built quite an empire at Porto, his stint at Chelsea was such a monumental failure that concern over his ability in the EPL is justifiable.
At Chelsea, he failed to keep in check the egos of several established players, and perhaps tried too hard to change too much too soon. To me, his mistakes at Chelsea reeked of inexperience, and however tactically astute AVB may be, he needs to learn how to handle personalities better if he’s going to be a top class manager.
I’m not too concerned about this though, because I’m sure AVB himself will know better than anyone where he went wrong, and will surely learn from his mistakes. What does concern is that he doesn’t really appear to want the Liverpool job very much. His dithering to me indicates that he is waiting for a better offer, and that he’ll only take the Liverpool job if none comes along.
[ad_pod id=”unruly-video” align=”center”]
Another name that’s been tossed about fairly frequently is that of Fabio Capello. The former England manager has actually expressed his interest in the Liverpool position, but despite his willingness and an impressive CV, FSG hasn’t really taken notice.
FSG’s reluctance most likely has something to do with his age. Capello probably doesn’t have very many years of top level management left, and a short term solution, albeit a very good one, does not sound like what the owners have in mind.
Ruling out these three names leaves just one other obvious candidate in the form of Rafa Benitez. Most Liverpool fans see Rafa as the obvious person for the job, and I don’t need to go into the reasons why, since just about every single Liverpool fan on every single Liverpool forum has already debated these reasons extensively! It must be annoying for the fans though that FSG appear to be paying him so little attention, but with all that’s happened recently, can we really blame them?
Re-signing Rafa would be like a repeat telecast of how we resigned Dalglish, and it’s obvious why the club wouldn’t want to risk making the same mistake twice. The best thing to do after Liverpool’s worst ever Premier League season would surely be, to the owners at least, to distance themselves from the ways of old that led us here in the first place.
FSG should stop to take a closer look at Rafa’s football credentials though. He may be a manager from Liverpool’s past, but his style of management has always been modern and scientific. He was an intelligent manager with great foresight, and many of his footballing decisions were made with an eye to the future.
Most of the criticism that Rafa gets seems to ignore the difficult circumstances under which he had to work at Liverpool. Give Rafa support and time, and I have no doubt that he will bring success. He gave Liverpool its highest ever point total in the league while under the thumb of Gillett and Hicks. With the positive backing that FSG would undoubtedly provide, we might even go that elusive step further and win the league.
Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at live4liverpool@snack-media.com
Follow us on Twitter here: @live4Liverpool and ‘Like’ us on Facebook
PISH!! this liverpool fan isn’t annoyed that FSG have appeared to have ignored rafa and i’m sure i’m not alone in NOT wanting him back!
As for AVB, he’s dithering??? you obviously have inside information as to who has actually been offered the job! i haven’t seen any statements from Lfc saying that they have even spoken to the man!
I for one, trust our owners to do what’s best for the club and appoint a young innovative manager!
I can understand the preference of some supporters to go for someone new and give someone else a chance, but I think many fans want Rafa back because he’s almost a sure thing. We know and trust his abilities. His time at LFC was also a big learning curve for him in the Premier League and his tactical abilities are second to none, and hence a big asset in Europe. The Rafa we hired 7 years ago was nowhere near as good as he is now, with all this added experience. He also loves and knows the club better than any serious candidate could. There are 2 question marks for me. How do Carra and Stevie feel about having him back – surely their opinions have been asked? Are the owners worried about Rafa’s tendency to fight with the board when he doesn’t get his way, i.e. he’s not a yes man?
Carragher!? I doubt he’ll be there much longer anyway.
ya bring in this sure thing and let him sell on our best players again. first one out the door is gonna be suarez. so what did rafa win besides a very lucky cl cup.
Are you joking kumber? Whether it’s a good idea to bring Rafa back or not, you can surely appreciate his achievements – especially in view of the regression in results since he left.
CARRA AND GERRARD DONT REPRESENT THE FUTURE OF THE CLUB. THEY ARE RICH AND CLOSE TO RETIREMENT,THEY MIGHT ACTUALLY PREFER A GAFFER LIKE KD WHO WOULD TREAT THEM SPECIAL,AND RAFA DOESNT TREAT ANY PLAYER SPECIAL UNTIL THEY SHOW PROPER WILLINGNESS TO SUCCEED AND TO ADAPT. RAFA IS A VERY PROFESSIONAL MAN,WE NEED HIM!!!
Good questions there Paul – and it would be very interesting to know if they have asked senior players like Stevie, Jamie and Pepe their views on Rafa. Alas we will (and should) never find out!
If Rafa was to come back IMO would b excellent move. Made Liverpool number one in Europe and with the backing of the new owners he’ll do even better. If its not him than I think that AVB would do well and shouldnt b judged from the time at Chelsea. Player power was the reason he failed there. Even a world cup winer Scolari failed there. We as fans have to b behind the club and the new mngr whoever is going to b.
I have a feeling that it’s going to be someone the media has never even mentioned. We are in for a surprise whether positive and negetive.
Well, it would at least be intriguing, however I just don’t see it. Some rumours always seem to come right in the internet age, so I am not holding my breath …
It is obvious that Rafa is the best man for the job, but there are a lot of people who would feel very sheepish if he was to come back. There are many at Anfield who more or less stabbed Rafa in the back.
These people don’t want to see Rafa back and successful and therefore will promote others.
FSG want stability but refuse to even approach a manager who lives a short drive from the club with a settled family. The same manager who got a club with inferior finances and squad to two champions league finals. We would have won the league only for some really dubious decisions give the way of Utd.
I will have utter contempt for FSG if they appoint someone with no proven experience. Martinez should be approached when he has proved himself, likewise Brendan Rogers. AVB could be good, but compared to Rafa we are taking a big risk.
JUST HEARD FROM OUR KID IN BOSTON USA AND RUMOURS ARE RIFE THAT FSG HAS ONLY EVER HAD ONE CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB AND THATS ALEXIS LALAS? “NO SH*T!!”
DEMPSEY TO BE FIRST SIGNING FOLLOWED BY 2 OTHER STARS FROM USA TEAM?
ALL TO DO WITH SELLING L.F.C TO THE USA SOCCER MARKET?
FSG ARE ALSO LOOKING INTO LFC RESERVES/YOUTH TEAMS BEING BASED IN BOSTON AND RESERVES TO PLAY IN ASL UNDER ‘LIVERPOOL RED STARS’
LEGALLY THEY HAVE SAID ITS POSSIBLE?????
oh have a word with yourself!
I believe your Alarm clock failed to go off. Dope
Who the f*uck is Lalas
A former central defender and captain for the US soccer team. But it’s bullsh*t!!
Oh come one, really??? Cut it, not happening!
I guess things can always get worse …
Not that I have anything against Lalas … however in case he were seriously considered I would welcome even AVB with open arms!
NESV have taken control of numerous teams in several different sports “Baseball” “Basketball” “NASCAR” “ICE HOCKEY” run sporting websites and massive media empire. They have stripped the club of the management, good – it hasn’t worked in the last 20 years bringing us a title. They are positive with their actions making bold moves, but not without due diligence. If any of you think they have come into these sackings and management change lightly think again. They do nothing without a fully energised and thought out plan. Every sporting venture they are involved in has got to the top and much more successful than before. For one having read and understood the FSG background and mentality I have complete faith in the decisions and employment of new manager who ever it is….Yes that includes Martinez. They will get it right LFC supporters just need to have faith in their management and stop condeming there actions when lets face it, if we were that good, we would be billionaires and owning clubs ourselves….
Agree totally and very well said.
I’d love to see Rafa back for the many reasons everyone has already posted about previously. Sadly I can’t see it happening which is a real shame. If it failed then the owners would have egg on their face. My head and my heart say Rafa though.
Come on Liverpool these changes are positive. I’m optimistic. No progress for twenty years . Only Rafa brought temporary progress . Shows what a great job he did. So I admire fsg for ripping up and starting again it shows me they care . Let’s just think about it for a minute. The rich Dubai sheiks couldn’t be bothered . Fsg could . Let’s support their efforts .we all must be positive . I beleive Rafa will get his chance if this next plan fails Rafa is fsg backup plan it makes a lot of sense.
for me it can only be rafa. he generated his own funds under professor bunsen and beaker and constantly sold his best players to bring in more players for the squad size so as to be able to compete in europe ,premier league and cups ,admittedly some of his signings werent that great but he managed to sell them for at least the same or more when he sold them.the kids that are coming through now are from when rafa was at the club so surely bringing him back would see him play them as he has watched their development whilst sat back relaxing and not in manager mode at the club so he can see what they have become and not judge them on his being at the club and looking over their shoulders.with the players at the club now and the kids and a few quid he would do a great job.
THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS FACT
YNWA
JFT96
Rafa is a fantastic manager but, aside from the special case of Alonso (who wanted to leave), I don’t recall him selling his best players. On the other hand, he was ruthless with players who did not fit in his plans or who disappointed; and correctly looked for players with character as well as playing ability.
I should have said sold his better players that couldnt get into the first team apart from
alonso paid 10.7m sold 30m + addons
crouch paid 7m sold 11m
bellamy paid 6m sold 7.5m
this is a select few of his transfers and is by no means all.
the statement i gave was generalising that he always had to wheel and deal to try to get the best he could with what he had available to him and yes he was ruthless but why would you want it any other way because if a player doesnt try hard enough why should he be treated differently to you or i who if underperforming at our jobs would also get a telling off and if we were lucky might be able to keep our jobs, these guys earn thousands a week and should work hard whereas the likes of me or possibly yourself would need to work ten years for what they get in a week
sorry if i wasnt more clear in my post but i am no journalist and write what i see in the way i see it
THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION AND NOT TO BE TAKEN AS FACT
YNWA
JFT96
Hey Fleetwood – I think you kid is winding you up and getting you back for beating him as a child