Will Rafa Run To Real?

[Tom]

If we dont challenge for the title next season, I want him gone.

If we challange for the title next season, I want you gone :bird:

[Craig_H]

I take your point - I'm being lazy - it's more unlikely that a club, rather than a manager would commit for that long. I suppose what I mean is I'm pissed off that he hasn't said I'll stay here until I'm not wanted. He's red until something better comes along. He's not a red for life. Temporary. And grateful I am too. But...

No manager KNOWS or DECIDES that they're staying 10-15 years. Wenger didnt, Ferguson didnt, Dario Gradi didnt, Curbishley didnt. It just happens that way when they're successful. It isnt planned though mate.

[Marshy]

I disagree with those who want Rafa gone after just 3 years but there will come a point when i'll agree with them if we continue the poor results and sterile football. If we have an awful start again, very poor away from home again, play sterile football again and 15+ points behind the leaders in March again then my loyalty to Rafa will almost certainly be severely tested. The only thing that could probably save him as far as i'm concerned if the above happens again is number 6 in Athens, progressing well in CL again next season and maybe a domestic cup.

[mick the click]

No manager KNOWS or DECIDES that they're staying 10-15 years. Wenger didnt, Ferguson didnt, Dario Gradi didnt, Curbishley didnt. It just happens that way when they're successful. It isnt planned though mate.

Hmmm....I think successful managers can do as they wish - Sir Shanks did, Sir Bob did and Kenny did. If Rafa's successful I hope he plans to stay. I just think that however successful he is with us, he plans not to - not for that long anyway.

[Craig_H]

Hmmm....I think successful managers can do as they wish - Sir Shanks did, Sir Bob did and Kenny did. If Rafa's successful I hope he plans to stay. I just think that however successful he is with us, he plans not to - not for that long anyway.

Yeah but the point is, it TAKES time in the first place, before they become successful enough.

Ferguson was 10 years into his OT reign before he'd won 3 of his 8 Premiership titles.

[SouthAfricaRed]

Rafa is a tactician. He's strengthening his position with the new owners.

He's using the media and Bascombe in particular to achieve his goals.

Yes he will one day go to Madrid, but there are Two Reasons why it wont happen now.

1) Rafa came here to win the Premiership. He's closer now to the financial backing that's needed than he's ever been. He's not the type of man to leave on his own without achieving what he came for

2) Real Madrid's politics are a mess. They need to be sorted for a man like Rafa to commit to the job. He has integrity and wont go for a quick payday only to be booted after a season or two

[mick the click]

SA Red - no...it won't happen now, that's clear.

DJS - lots of CAPS tonight! And you miss MY point, which is...(I repeat) I don't think Rafa will stay longer than a further 5 yrs max, however successful we are.

[Craig_H]

SA Red - no...it won't happen now, that's clear.

DJS - lots of CAPS tonight! And you miss MY point, which is...(I repeat) I don't think Rafa will stay longer than a further 5 yrs max, however successful we are.

No, that wasnt what you said - you said it was sad that Rafa wont commit himself to 10-15 years. Which would mean coming out now and saying he'll stay for another 7-12 years. Which, as i said, no manager has done before, or would do.

[Neil Young]

No, that wasnt what you said - you said it was sad that Rafa wont commit himself to 10-15 years. Which would mean coming out now and saying he'll stay for another 7-12 years. Which, as i said, no manager has done before, or would do.

Actually that's not true. If Gillett and Hicks offer me the job I am willing to commit myself to it for ten years although I'd want an option on another five. If they insist on fifteen, well, sorry but no, that's a deal breaker. Take it or leave it.

[anfieldanfield]

I agree and disagree really, it is beginning to annoy me that we haven't progressed since last season, and yesterdays result pissed me off greatly, but there are a few points to make.

If Houlier had stayed, I don't think we'd have stayed a top 4 side, we'd have fallen into the **** that is the chasing pack all fighting it out till last day of the season for 4th, weharas now i'd say we're pretty comfortable, and wouldn't really say we were any worse a team than Arsenal, so I'd be saying at least joint 3rd.

We wouldn't have won the Champs league with Houlier, I'm just certain of that, and I doubt we'd have progressed this far this year as well.

Benitez has almost gotten rid of most of the Houlier crap, one more Summer window and we'll prob have seen the back of them. Fair enough he has brought in some questionable players (Pennant, Bellamy but I doubt either will be here next season).

I'd be happy to give him 2 more seasons, coming season to hopefully spend big and get us 1 or 2 star players, and the season after to hopefully complete the jigsaw. If we're no better off by that point I'd probably say he's had all the time he needs assuming the resources have been available to him.

I think he'll get a full 5 years to win the league, so he's got two more seasons.

If we dont even CHALLENGE for the league next season though, he has to go...

[Sir Bob]

A few points on this thread
1. We are clearly a better team now than at any time under GH
2. Our league form this season has been very poor, particulary away from home. Rafa has still to prove that he can turn us into a title challenging side, nevermind a winning one.
3. Whilst Chelsea & Man U have raised the bar to new levels, we are still miles behind them points wise. It also should be noted we are only 7 points ahead of bolton. Financially the gap between LFC & Bolton is much wider than the financial gap between us & the Mancs yet we lead Bolton by only 7 points yet trail Man Uts by 20 odd.
4. Rafa should be given time to turn our league form round but if we don't make serious inroads into the top 2 in the next 2 seasons, then its time for a change.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

A few points on this thread
1. We are clearly a better team now than at any time under GH
2. Our league form this season has been very poor, particulary away from home. Rafa has still to prove that he can turn us into a title challenging side, nevermind a winning one.
3. Whilst Chelsea & Man U have raised the bar to new levels, we are still miles behind them points wise. It also should be noted we are only 7 points ahead of bolton. Financially the gap between LFC & Bolton is much wider than the financial gap between us & the Mancs yet we lead Bolton by only 7 points yet trail Man Uts by 20 odd.
4. Rafa should be given time to turn our league form round but if we don't make serious inroads into the top 2 in the next 2 seasons, then its time for a change.

Completely agree.

[desertscouser]

A few points on this thread
1. We are clearly a better team now than at any time under GH
2. Our league form this season has been very poor, particulary away from home. Rafa has still to prove that he can turn us into a title challenging side, nevermind a winning one.
3. Whilst Chelsea & Man U have raised the bar to new levels, we are still miles behind them points wise. It also should be noted we are only 7 points ahead of bolton. Financially the gap between LFC & Bolton is much wider than the financial gap between us & the Mancs yet we lead Bolton by only 7 points yet trail Man Uts by 20 odd.
4. Rafa should be given time to turn our league form round but if we don't make serious inroads into the top 2 in the next 2 seasons, then its time for a change.

As always Heighway, spot on

[anfieldanfield]

A few points on this thread
1. We are clearly a better team now than at any time under GH
2. Our league form this season has been very poor, particulary away from home. Rafa has still to prove that he can turn us into a title challenging side, nevermind a winning one.
3. Whilst Chelsea & Man U have raised the bar to new levels, we are still miles behind them points wise. It also should be noted we are only 7 points ahead of bolton. Financially the gap between LFC & Bolton is much wider than the financial gap between us & the Mancs yet we lead Bolton by only 7 points yet trail Man Uts by 20 odd.
4. Rafa should be given time to turn our league form round but if we don't make serious inroads into the top 2 in the next 2 seasons, then its time for a change.

I think the treble winning side of 2001 was easily as good as the current side...

[Craig_H]

How would a CL win this season affect your thinking AA?