IT’S not exactly been a hectic week since news broke of King Kenny’s departure from the club. In fact, it’s only just been 8 days, with the anniversary of the legendary manager leaving the club a second time not coming until Wednesday afternoon.
But the impression you get from some sections of the media and a number of fans ‘groups’ is that it’s been a couple of months at least, and that the club is in utter turmoil.
It isn’t a great situation to be in but the letter from the Spirit of Shankly group which has been picked up on by the press in the past 48 hours is only making the situation worse and, whatever the good intentions of SoS, they should really have thought more before making this letter public. I think it was a quite naïve move on their part, knowing that the press would jump on this as an indication that the entirety of the LFC fan base is unhappy/concerned about/angry at FSG. And when this letter gives the impression that the group speaks for every single Red across the globe, it gives the press a veritable field day, and that is exactly what they’ve done this morning.
Many of the headlines across the board on and offline are generally along the lines of ‘Reds in Turmoil’ and the gist of the piece below such headlines is that we’re all angry and confused about why the appointment of a new manager has taken so long. Of course, with this you’d be forgiven for thinking it hadn’t only been 8 days but instead had been much longer but I think we all need to keep things in perspective and remember that these things take time.
Last week, when the announcement was first made, I read many an angry fan voice their disquiet about others already discussing potential candidates to take over from Kenny, believing it was disrespectful and that the dust should be allowed to settle first. Then there were others who were under the impression that sacking him wasn’t acceptable unless a suitable replacement was already in place. I think that neither situation is ideal but surely it’s better that the club’s owners take their time over this appointment, given how the last two have just gone down in quick-fire succession?
If somebody had taken over from Dalglish just over 24 hours later, there would’ve been uproar and we’d have all believed that they had been in talks with the new man behind Kenny’s back. Of course, the alternative is that they’d appointed somebody immediately without doing their due diligence. Either way, it’s a bad idea to give somebody the job straight away.
So that means that it’ll take time, and I’m happy with that. Because it means that they’re surveying the surroundings, taking in advice from knowledgeable parties (apparently, the likes of former Arsenal man, David Dein) to make sure they get the right man. I mean, let’s look at it in real-life terms, if we applied for a job – which had a closing date – and were then selected for an interview, we’d expect the process to take a few weeks at the least. If we applied for a job, got an interview and were appointed in 24 hours I’m sure we’d all be suspicious that there was a catch, or that there was a hint of desperation about the appointment.
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Besides, the longer it takes the more time fans have to get their opinions across about who they believe should be the next boss and, while we’re all impressed with Roberto Martinez keeping Wigan up again, the general consensus from most Liverpool fans is that he isn’t the right man, yet. So in the interim I’m almost certain that the club’s owners will have members of staff keeping an eye on the most popular sites (such as live4liverpool.com) and forums to get an idea of how we all feel about the idea of certain appointments. If reports in the papers are to be believed there is already a massive swell of support building from fan-sites and forums behind a certain Spaniard which the press believe has given the owners pause for thought, so it might actually be working in our favour.
So while the period of uncertainty isn’t great, it certainly doesn’t show that the club is even in the slightest bit of turmoil and while we’re all adamant that our own opinions are the correct ones and we know for a fact that the person we’d choose would be the right one for the job, I think for the time being we need to show FSG our support and get behind them.
Make it clear, by all means, who we prefer and who we don’t but show a bit of faith in them that they’ll make the correct decision and let’s stop the knee-jerking as each day passes without a decision.
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The more we wait the more we understand what we want.( Van gaal, benitez and rijkaard) will be good for the job
we have a stratagy of buying E
Well said.
The current trend of fans on sites like is of course intense – with people desperate for a bit of news. The problem is impatience and the ‘journalists’ who capitalise on our desire for news.
Fact is, we know nothing and should appreciate what the people in the know are doing.
I don’t think anyone disliked dalglish in the red camp, but few could argue the league wasn’t good enough, or that watching press conferences was becoming awkwardly embarrassing.
…the owners can’t seem to do right for doing wrong. They saved us from administration, they funded our biggest ever expenditure and won’t accept mediocrity, showing incredible bravery and a desire to win by sacking the king.
With such an expenditure and a decision like that, do we really think they are muppets? Of course not, look at their tack record.
They have a plan to make us great again, and step by step we’ll improve until we’re there or thereabouts.
…after the money they’ve spent and the expertise at their disposal, we’re the niave ones for thinking otherwise.
open letters from the fans and new articles every second are just part of the ‘fun’ of silly season, and won’t have too much impact is expect!
…can’t wait for a decision tho!
That’s the best post I’ve seen on LFC for a long long tome! Well said.
I agree withe opening. They don’t speak for all of us….. I don’t necessarily want all our dealings in the media cos a lot of the press put a negative spin on lfc. Like turmoil etc. we aren’t in turmoil. We are making huge overhaul. Most the boardroom has been released and new staff have been appointed. A new structure is being organised. This will take weeks to sort out
WE HAVE A STRATAGY OF BUYING ENGLISH PLAYERS, SO WE OBVIOULY NEED TO BRING IN FOUR FOREIGNERS INTO CLUB MANAGEMENT ROLES. THEY DO SPEAK ENGLISH EXCEPT FOR THE AMERICAN WHO SPEAKS IN BOTTOM LINES, FRANCHISES ETC.
Martinez is the man, the owners were rightly amazed at some late season results by wigan,the early season never counted. a pity Mr Daglish want afforded the same luxury.
At last an article showing reason!! Thank you!!,
If anyone thinks FSG will listen to us then they’re mad. They bowed to us last year over Kenny so they’ll do their own thing this time otherwise Rafa Benitez would have got at least an interview
I think martinez is a really good option and will do brilliantly as long as the fans support him and don’t get on his back from day one like hodgson
personally AVB would be my 1st choice but, i for one trust our owners and i agree with CSNark, they certainly have the club’s best interests at heart! so if they decide to appoint martinez who i happen to like very much, then i will definitely give him a fair crack of the whip.
i think people like SOS are far to quick to dismiss people using the old ‘inexperienced’ excuse! he’s not ready for Lfc, he needs to manage the likes of villa first etc etc, a very arrogant and disrespectful stance IMO.
so let’s just chill and give FSG the benefit of (very little) doubt. And for you who thinks the americans are all about the money then good! because it’s takes on-field success to make the big bucks, so we’re all winners in the end!
Well argued!!! Let’s give the people who are pouring their money and crediblity on LFC the benefit of the doubt.
We’re rightfully apprehensive and want to give advice, etc. but we should remember FSG have a huge investment in this club and want to do right by it.
I am no longer impressed by the owners. The fact that Martinez is being seriously entertained in conjunction with a dof suggests that the owners are trying to out smart everyone else….moneyball style. Martinez is a mediocre candidate at best and has done nothing to deserve being considered for this role. The manager is the most important person at a club. Ra fa is perfect for us. Under Rafa we were confident about beating everyone and anyone. 2 European cup finals in 3 years. Yeah I expect to see that under Roberto. We re out of your league mate.