The New Manager Thread

[Armchairkopite]

Didnt Hiddink do the Chelsea and Russia jobs simultaneously? I dont think it's a brick wall, where he's concerned.

Capello may indeed stay with england or depending on how the world cup goes, he might decide to take a new direction. You never know.

Hodgson's coached internationally, as well as Internazionale which is a massive club too, plus he's highly experienced, knows his football, plays a good style, motivates players very well and is shrewd in the market.

Bilic is certainly inexperienced and unproven, but nobody gains experience and reputation without a chance. Sure, it'd be a gamble but i think he would represent a fresh, more flexible approach. May or may not be good, only time would tell.

Of course i dont want to replace the manager if it'd be a step down - but that's the difference isnt it? You think none of the options i've listed would be a step up, or are realistic - i think they are. And i'll say again, if i am convinced that keeping Rafa would be an unsuccessful move for the club, why would i back it?

It takes one to know one, eh

[Craig_H]

[SRR]

I think Mourinho would get the current squad, as it is, finishing in the top four.

The idea that Mourinho cant work with strict budgets is made a mockery of, when his Porto tenure is examined. Those who make the assumption though, tend to ignore it.

What happens if he did come to Liverpool and couldn't get us in the top four, would you have the same attitude towards him as you do towards Rafa?

[Craig_H]

What happens if he did come to Liverpool and couldn't get us in the top four, would you have the same attitude towards him as you do towards Rafa?

If you mean would i say he'd failed, then yes, i probably would. Why wouldnt i?

What if Rafa stays and gets us relegated?

[kris90210]

Didnt Hiddink do the Chelsea and Russia jobs simultaneously? I dont think it's a brick wall, where he's concerned.

Capello may indeed stay with england or depending on how the world cup goes, he might decide to take a new direction. You never know.

Hodgson's coached internationally, as well as Internazionale which is a massive club too, plus he's highly experienced, knows his football, plays a good style, motivates players very well and is shrewd in the market.

Bilic is certainly inexperienced and unproven, but nobody gains experience and reputation without a chance. Sure, it'd be a gamble but i think he would represent a fresh, more flexible approach. May or may not be good, only time would tell.

Of course i dont want to replace the manager if it'd be a step down - but that's the difference isnt it? You think none of the options i've listed would be a step up, or are realistic - i think they are. And i'll say again, if i am convinced that keeping Rafa would be an unsuccessful move for the club, why would i back it?

That's true, although Hiddink was just a stop gap for Chelsea (even though they wanted him to stay). Taking into account the scale of the job needed at Liverpool, I dont think a part time coach is the answer.

True, you never know with Capello. That would be a massive coup if Benitez were to leave. I just can't see it happening.

Another point. You have been going on about Rafa being too defensive for your liking. Mourinho and Capello are both famous for their defensive mentality.

Basically, what I was asking in my post is if there is a minimum standard of candidate for the job, or do you want change full stop?

I would certainly be very worried if Bilic was brought in (even though he does have a lot of potential!).

Personally, I'm undecided on whether he should go or not. Probably 60-40 in favour of him staying in fact. Put it this way, if we could bring in Mourinho or Capello that would soften the blow. Otherwise I'd rather he stay.

[SRR]

If you mean would i say he'd failed, then yes, i probably would. Why wouldnt i?

What if Rafa stays and gets us relegated?

What if Rafa stays and wins the league?

It's all ifs and buts if Utd had got rid of Ferguson they wouldn't be where they are now, there is a fine line and you seem to think getting rid of Rafa is the answer.

What makes you think any top manager is going to want to come to the circus that is Liverpool FC?

[SRR]

That's true, although Hiddink was just a stop gap for Chelsea (even though they wanted him to stay). Taking into account the scale of the job needed at Liverpool, I dont think a part time coach is the answer.

True, you never know with Capello. That would be a massive coup if Benitez were to leave. I just can't see it happening.

Another point. You have been going on about Rafa being too defensive for your liking. Mourinho and Capello are both famous for their defensive mentality.

Basically, what I was asking in my post is if there is a minimum standard of candidate for the job, or do you want change full stop?

I would certainly be very worried if Bilic was brought in (even though he does have a lot of potential!).

Personally, I'm undecided on whether he should go or not. Probably 60-40 in favour of him staying in fact. Put it this way, if we could bring in Mourinho or Capello that would soften the blow. Otherwise I'd rather he stay.

That's thing Craig likes to go on about how crap our style of play is, then wheels out Mourinho as his first choice replacement, don't ever remember seeing him play attacking football.

[Guest]

That's thing Craig likes to go on about how crap our style of play is, then wheels out Mourinho as his first choice replacement, don't ever remember seeing him play attacking football.

He plays 'whining' football.

[Craig_H]

That's true, although Hiddink was just a stop gap for Chelsea (even though they wanted him to stay). Taking into account the scale of the job needed at Liverpool, I dont think a part time coach is the answer.

True, you never know with Capello. That would be a massive coup if Benitez were to leave. I just can't see it happening.

Another point. You have been going on about Rafa being too defensive for your liking. Mourinho and Capello are both famous for their defensive mentality.

Basically, what I was asking in my post is if there is a minimum standard of candidate for the job, or do you want change full stop?

I would certainly be very worried if Bilic was brought in (even though he does have a lot of potential!).

Personally, I'm undecided on whether he should go or not. Probably 60-40 in favour of him staying in fact. Put it this way, if we could bring in Mourinho or Capello that would soften the blow. Otherwise I'd rather he stay.

To answer the main question, no i wouldnt just accept anyone, just to see Rafa leave. That'd be silly IMO. But people like JM, Capello, Hiddink etc, are top notch in my view, and i'd be happy with any of those.

Re the defensive/attacking mentality - i want the club to win and part of that means being proactive in search of scoring the goal(s) rather than making a clean sheet the priorty and a goal or two the bonus.

My argument isnt necessarily about the style of play but more about the mindset of 'we are better than them, so we will just play OUR game and not alter our mentality due to worrying about them'.

I associate that with Rafa and not with people like the other three managers listed above.

[kris90210]

To answer the main question, no i wouldnt just accept anyone, just to see Rafa leave. That'd be silly IMO. But people like JM, Capello, Hiddink etc, are top notch in my view, and i'd be happy with any of those.

Re the defensive/attacking mentality - i want the club to win and part of that means being proactive in search of scoring the goal(s) rather than making a clean sheet the priorty and a goal or two the bonus.

My argument isnt necessarily about the style of play but more about the mindset of 'we are better than them, so we will just play OUR game and not alter our mentality due to worrying about them'.

I associate that with Rafa and not with people like the other three managers listed above.

Ok I can understand where you are coming from if we can bring in a top class replacement, but I think once you get past Capello, Hiddink and Mourinho you're getting into fairly dodgy territory.

Prandelli, Hodgson etc. Could do a job. But it's a big gamble.

By the way, I really dont think Rafa sets up to draw games and considers the odd goal a bonus. Only an idiot would set up like that. Love him or hate him his achievments in football mean that Benitez is at the pinnacle of footballing knowledge and understanding. You need to remember that when you criticise decisons, you have the benefit of hindsight. I'm sure you will agree that Rafa is nothing if not meticulous (to a fault perhaps?). I am certain he could give you totally plausible reasons for every single decision he makes. This season things haven't worked for him. Last season they generally did. That's football though - fine margins between success and failure.

Every manager has a bad spell. I think up until this season, it has felt like we have made progress every season Rafa has been in charge. I remember the season after Ferguson said he was going to retire. Utd had an awful start to the season and some of the Utd fans actually started to turn on him! Saying maybe he should have gone. I honestly think that patince is a virtue in football. When I say that, I dont mean lets give him 20 years and ignore results and performances. I think he deserves a season to put things right, and he deserves some backing this transfer window.

Whatever happens with the manager, I think the root of the problem is the owners. We need an owner who will bring stability and financial backing. If we could find someone like that, the future will look a lot rosier!

I really dont expect to change your mind on any of this. I've seen you debate the same points with multiple posters. Food for thought anyway though hopefully

[cream]

Personally don't think we'll end up with with anyone obvious, couple of names mentioned, Prandelli and Spaletti.

[kris90210]

Personally don't think we'll end up with with anyone obvious, couple of names mentioned, Prandelli and Spaletti.

The trouble with those two is that they would be similar to Rafa when he first took over, in that they would not fully appreciate nuances of the premiership.

Prandelli's record is incredible though, fair play

[ronanm]

How about this, someone who:

- has Premiership aspirations
- will be available soon
- has European ambitions
- is used to operating within tight "budgets"
- is a big "Reds" fan

Step forward Gordon Brown

[Tee]

Being a bit nostalgic rather than realistic, but I would love to see Kenny back as Boss and Rushie his No.2.

[Lecter]

How about this, someone who:

- has Premiership aspirations
- will be available soon
- has European ambitions
- is used to operating within tight "budgets"
- is a big "Reds" fan

Step forward Gordon Brown