Liverpool keep their sights on Brendan Rodgers
Oliver Kay and Matt Dickinson
Published 1 minute ago
Liverpool’s search for a new manager is expected to continue until at least the end of this week as they look to hold more discussions with Roberto Martínez and intensify their interest in Brendan Rodgers.
Martínez, the Wigan Athletic manager, remains a leading candidate for the managerial vacancy at Anfield after a first interview on Thursday, but Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Liverpool’s parent company, is determined not to be rushed in its bid to find a successor to Kenny Dalglish.
Martínez, who is also wanted by Aston Villa, will have to pass a final interview and agree personal terms if he is to land the job, and faces serious competition from Rodgers, the Swansea City manager.
Rodgers distanced himself from the Liverpool vacancy ten days ago, when the club indicated that he was one of many potential candidates they had identified. His commitment to Swansea is genuine, as is his belief that his long-term development might be better served by staying at the Liberty Stadium for another season. But, having learnt that he is a genuine contender for the Liverpool vacancy, he is keen to discover, if the Welsh club will allow him, what might be on offer.
Rodgers is understood to be in New York to watch a friendly between Mexico and Wales that was played last night, but, whether in the United States or in Great Britain this week, FSG is eager to speak to him. He has been recommended by advisers, but, like Martínez, he would be eager to ascertain the precise role under discussion in what would be a new structure at Anfield.
Louis van Gaal, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach, is a front-runner for one of the posts in the new structure, although the exact framework remains uncertain. A variety of options have been discussed and, while Van Gaal is a strong contender to be named as sporting director even before the identity of a new coach has been determined, there is much detail to finalise when John W. Henry, the club’s principal owner, travels to Britain this week. Pep Segura, who has overseen a revamp of Liverpool’s youth academy, is also expected to be given a prominent role.
With Martínez waiting to hear whether he will be offered the Liverpool job, Villa retain a firm interest in the Wigan manager as they look to intensify their search for a replacement for Alex McLeish, who was sacked two weeks ago. Martínez rejected Villa’s advances last summer, but the Midlands club are quietly confident that he could be persuaded to consider an offer once Liverpool’s intentions have become clear and that, in any case, they might be able to offer a greater degree of control than he would have at Anfield.
Members of the Villa hierarchy have also held discussions in recent days with Rafael Benítez, the former Liverpool manager. The conversations with Benítez have been considerably more encouraging than those when the Villa job arose last summer, but manager and club are open-minded about the idea as they continue to explore other options.
Oliver Kay and Matt Dickinson
Published 1 minute ago
Liverpool’s search for a new manager is expected to continue until at least the end of this week as they look to hold more discussions with Roberto Martínez and intensify their interest in Brendan Rodgers.
Martínez, the Wigan Athletic manager, remains a leading candidate for the managerial vacancy at Anfield after a first interview on Thursday, but Fenway Sports Group (FSG), Liverpool’s parent company, is determined not to be rushed in its bid to find a successor to Kenny Dalglish.
Martínez, who is also wanted by Aston Villa, will have to pass a final interview and agree personal terms if he is to land the job, and faces serious competition from Rodgers, the Swansea City manager.
Rodgers distanced himself from the Liverpool vacancy ten days ago, when the club indicated that he was one of many potential candidates they had identified. His commitment to Swansea is genuine, as is his belief that his long-term development might be better served by staying at the Liberty Stadium for another season. But, having learnt that he is a genuine contender for the Liverpool vacancy, he is keen to discover, if the Welsh club will allow him, what might be on offer.
Rodgers is understood to be in New York to watch a friendly between Mexico and Wales that was played last night, but, whether in the United States or in Great Britain this week, FSG is eager to speak to him. He has been recommended by advisers, but, like Martínez, he would be eager to ascertain the precise role under discussion in what would be a new structure at Anfield.
Louis van Gaal, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach, is a front-runner for one of the posts in the new structure, although the exact framework remains uncertain. A variety of options have been discussed and, while Van Gaal is a strong contender to be named as sporting director even before the identity of a new coach has been determined, there is much detail to finalise when John W. Henry, the club’s principal owner, travels to Britain this week. Pep Segura, who has overseen a revamp of Liverpool’s youth academy, is also expected to be given a prominent role.
With Martínez waiting to hear whether he will be offered the Liverpool job, Villa retain a firm interest in the Wigan manager as they look to intensify their search for a replacement for Alex McLeish, who was sacked two weeks ago. Martínez rejected Villa’s advances last summer, but the Midlands club are quietly confident that he could be persuaded to consider an offer once Liverpool’s intentions have become clear and that, in any case, they might be able to offer a greater degree of control than he would have at Anfield.
Members of the Villa hierarchy have also held discussions in recent days with Rafael Benítez, the former Liverpool manager. The conversations with Benítez have been considerably more encouraging than those when the Villa job arose last summer, but manager and club are open-minded about the idea as they continue to explore other options.
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