From the Offal
As one eventful season ends, another goes into the planning phase. We have already taken an important step forward by bringing home one of our club's most loyal and passionate servants, Sammy Lee.
Sammy returns as Assistant Manager to Rafa Benitez and he was extremely excited about the challenge when I spoke to him this week. It's a crucial role. Rafa has been extremely keen to get a new right-hand following the departure of Pako Ayestaran.
He operated for most of last season without a formal assistant and Sammy's arrival is a timely boost, not least because Alex Miller has gone to Japan.
I know Rafa is delighted that he has not only secured a vastly experienced coach, but someone who knows our club inside out.
It's fantastic to have Sammy back. I was particularly disappointed when he left in 2004. I was very keen for him to stay and tried to persuade him that he would have an exciting future under Rafa.
Maybe he is better for the experience he has picked up elsewhere, working with the England set-up as well as supporting Sam Allardyce superbly at Bolton where he ultimately stepped into the hot seat himself.
That didn't work out for many reasons, but no one could question Sammy's knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm for the game.
The main thing is that he is back at Anfield in the important role of Assistant Manager and that is a step up from his previous role with us as a senior coach. He comes back at an important time.
Hopefully he will play a real part in giving everyone a lift at the start of the season. He is Liverpool through and through and is respected as a coach at the highest levels of the game.
His limited spell as Bolton boss will have helped him to see all of the other problems and issues a manager might face at Premier League level and this will have broadened his experience. It will enable him to give Rafa even more support.
Rafa has been keen on bringing in a new assistant. It's fair to say that Sammy was his number one choice. Rafa will be guaranteed absolute loyalty.
Sammy understands what is required here. He was part of a winning era at the club and his roots go right back to the great Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley. He has worked with a string of top class Liverpool managers and I'm sure the fans will give him a tremendous welcome back to Anfield.
****
We have begun our summer work with the acquisition of Philipp Degen from Dortmund. He is a right-back who likes to get forward and an established Swiss international. Rafa is pleased to have him on board.
You might see him in the European Championships although his priority of late has been to work on his fitness after an injury. The fact that Philipp has played regularly in the German Bundesliga highlights his quality.
He was formerly with Basel, a club well known to us. We met them in the Champions League in 2002/03. Philipp's brother is still with the Swiss outfit.
****
One player who is heading out of Anfield is Harry Kewell. He has clearly not had the easiest of times because of injury.
Harry was a huge talent and we should have had the benefit of that at his peak. It makes you think about what might have been and that is frustrating for both the club and the player.
What is not in dispute is that it was time to part as we look to next season. We are determined to have a powerful squad ready for the pre-season action.
Sack Him!
As one eventful season ends, another goes into the planning phase. We have already taken an important step forward by bringing home one of our club's most loyal and passionate servants, Sammy Lee.
Sammy returns as Assistant Manager to Rafa Benitez and he was extremely excited about the challenge when I spoke to him this week. It's a crucial role. Rafa has been extremely keen to get a new right-hand following the departure of Pako Ayestaran.
He operated for most of last season without a formal assistant and Sammy's arrival is a timely boost, not least because Alex Miller has gone to Japan.
I know Rafa is delighted that he has not only secured a vastly experienced coach, but someone who knows our club inside out.
It's fantastic to have Sammy back. I was particularly disappointed when he left in 2004. I was very keen for him to stay and tried to persuade him that he would have an exciting future under Rafa.
Maybe he is better for the experience he has picked up elsewhere, working with the England set-up as well as supporting Sam Allardyce superbly at Bolton where he ultimately stepped into the hot seat himself.
That didn't work out for many reasons, but no one could question Sammy's knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm for the game.
The main thing is that he is back at Anfield in the important role of Assistant Manager and that is a step up from his previous role with us as a senior coach. He comes back at an important time.
Hopefully he will play a real part in giving everyone a lift at the start of the season. He is Liverpool through and through and is respected as a coach at the highest levels of the game.
His limited spell as Bolton boss will have helped him to see all of the other problems and issues a manager might face at Premier League level and this will have broadened his experience. It will enable him to give Rafa even more support.
Rafa has been keen on bringing in a new assistant. It's fair to say that Sammy was his number one choice. Rafa will be guaranteed absolute loyalty.
Sammy understands what is required here. He was part of a winning era at the club and his roots go right back to the great Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley. He has worked with a string of top class Liverpool managers and I'm sure the fans will give him a tremendous welcome back to Anfield.
****
We have begun our summer work with the acquisition of Philipp Degen from Dortmund. He is a right-back who likes to get forward and an established Swiss international. Rafa is pleased to have him on board.
You might see him in the European Championships although his priority of late has been to work on his fitness after an injury. The fact that Philipp has played regularly in the German Bundesliga highlights his quality.
He was formerly with Basel, a club well known to us. We met them in the Champions League in 2002/03. Philipp's brother is still with the Swiss outfit.
****
One player who is heading out of Anfield is Harry Kewell. He has clearly not had the easiest of times because of injury.
Harry was a huge talent and we should have had the benefit of that at his peak. It makes you think about what might have been and that is frustrating for both the club and the player.
What is not in dispute is that it was time to part as we look to next season. We are determined to have a powerful squad ready for the pre-season action.
Sack Him!
Comment