New manager thread

[little dave hedgehog]

what's the haps, gents?

[Cormack74]

Rafa is apparently on the shortlist: http://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/...c-manager.html

Link doesn't work for me - I get something which says "bad search statement".

Quite appropriate really.

[dom9]

Rafael Benitez has emerged as a shock candidate in the search for the next Liverpool manager.

Fenway Sports Group, the club's owners, have reneged on their original plans to overlook the Spaniard on their shortlist to find Kenny Dalglish's successor, following his sacking on Wednesday.

Benitez was deposed as Kop boss barely two years ago by erstwhile owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, but could be in line for a sensational return to the Reds' dugout this summer.

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has been sounded out to be interviewed by FSG but his Swansea City counterpart Brendan Rodgers today declined the opportunity to enter into talks.

FSG had previously refused to entertain any notion of Benitez being rehired due to the fractious nature that surrounded his departure in the twilight of Hcks and Gillett's tumultuous ownership.

The 52-year-old's polarising of opinion among the Anfield faithful towards the end of his six-year tenure, which saw Liverpool reach two Champions League finals, winning one, lift the FA Cup and finish as Premier League runners up in the 2008-09 season, also added ot their apprehension.

However his ability to secure Champions League qualification in all bar his final season as Kop boss has forced a rethink by the Americans, who are desperate for a return to Europe's premier club competition as it would ensure that the club could then become largely self-sufficient.

Benitez''s restructuring of the club's youth academy in summer 2009 is also understood to have found favour with John Henry and Tom Werner as they look to implement an effective structure.

But, crucially, the widespread clamour by fans, who believe the former Valencia and Inter Milan boss should be natural successor to Dalglish, has proven a key factor in FSG's U-turn.

Benitez has made no secret of his desire to return to the Anfield helm and would welcome the opportunity, but may find the power-sharing advocated by the club's hierarchy difficult to stomach.

Meanwhile managing director Ian Ayre has outlined the level of expectancy for Dalglish's successor.

He said: "I think the important thing will be to see progress and progress means different things.

"Everyone will want to see that we believe we're going in the right direction, that we're moving up the table, that we're achieving more, that we're playing the right type of football, that we're putting together the right squad.

"As long as you believe that there's progress and as long as you believe that week-to-week, month-to-month, season-to-season you're building on something, then people will be given time.

"I think there's a difference between that and feeling you're not moving forward at some point and so they'll get the support.

"I think one of the things we can honestly say about this ownership group is that they've consistently supported and invested and stood behind everything; the team and investment in players and that type of thing.

"The manager coming in's got an interesting time because he's got a new sort of structure, a good foundation, a good squad of players and the ability to build on that, and the support of owners which is quite important."

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[Mark79]

Too right, Rafa ticks all the boxes. Would be madness not to at least find out his thoughts about working within the new management structure.

[Tee]

Too right, Rafa ticks all the boxes. Would be madness not to at least find out his thoughts about working within the new management structure.

Well, they are interviewing almost anyone and everyone, so why not Rafa.

[Alex]

I refuse to believe it.

[dww]

Fenway Sports Group, the club's owners, have reneged on their original plans to overlook the Spaniard on their shortlist to find Kenny Dalglish's successor, following his sacking on Wednesday.

Yep couldn't be that the media were wrong to rule him out could it? Nope, definitely a u-turn by FSG.

[Pablo]

Yep couldn't be that the media were wrong to rule him out could it? Nope, definitely a u-turn by FSG.

Keep up the humorous posts Dave

[Tee]

Yep couldn't be that the media were wrong to rule him out could it? Nope, definitely a u-turn by FSG.

[Chris]

That bellends last two manager "exclusives" have been we were unveiling Pellegrini and appointing Rijkaard.

[Lecter]

Rafa is apparently on the shortlist: http://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/...c-manager.html

If that article is written by Richard Buxton take it with a shovel of salt

[CJ]

If that article is written by Richard Buxton take it with a shovel of salt

i believe the correct nomenclature is bellend

[Lecter]

i believe the correct nomenclature is bellend

I humbly apologise

[little dave hedgehog]

gargantuan bellend

[Kenneth]

Link doesn't work for me - I get something which says "bad search statement".

Quite appropriate really.