If Rafa left us....

[anfieldanfield]

What has he been up to of late?

He went to Turkey and wasn't very successful. I think.

[Red_Polo]

He went to Turkey and wasn't very successful. I think.

Yeah I think he got the sack at Besiktas and that's been about it. I certainly don't rate him as good a manager as his record at Real would suggest.

[ningnangnong]

How about that fella, what's his name........um Graeme Souness?

[CrazyHorse]

hiddink no question.

[Parm]

The last part could have been said about Rafa without Vicente, Aimar, Baraja, Albelda etc. They don't seem to be doing too badly considering the focal point of their attack in recent seasons Eto'o is out, but if it is true then sure that means we bring in Henk Tenn Catt (possibly with a famous ex-player as a figure head to deflect the pressure from him).

I did put struggling in quoytes though! i think when they lost to Real and chavs in successive weeks and Sevilla may have even gone top for a bit, the pressure was really on him.

Re Valencia, they have really struggled without Rafa, even this season, despite spunking a lot of money in the summer, they are only mid table. Besides the Barca boys are a better class of players than the Valencia lot you have mentioned.

[andyhanrahan]

brian kerr ex irish manager is still out of a job-
nah only kidding i wouldnt let him manage a shopping trolley

[singlerider]

I think jewell would be good. if we decided to stay british

Yeah, wouldn't mind him in a few years time, think he's a good lad

[Redspin]

Was watching Sly Sports news last night and they had Tony Gale on about who should take over from Pardew. The only 2 names he could come up with were Curbishley and Jewell. He said there's not much out there to choose from. It got me thinking that, given we are close to a takeover, what if for whatever reason Rafa left us? who would we go for? continental again? British? maybe Fergie/Wenger/Maureen ( on the assumption that if DIC complete and give us the financial backing we could afford any compensation, also on the assumption they would be willing to come to us)

I remember when Ged left we were linked with Curbishley and Strachan and ten, bam, out of nowehere Rafa came in.

This btw is not some sort of anti Rafa post, just a hypothetical question.

We were only linked with Curbishley and Strachan by the lazy British media. Neither of them merit serious consideration in connection with one of the world's top managerial posts. Benitez had done wonders on a tight budget at Valencia in cluding league and European success, so he was a far better bet.

As for Ferguson, I'm stil laughing. He wouldn't be offered it if he was the only conceivable candidate

[Redspin]

But Rafa has lots of years to create a Busby/Shankly/Ferguson era in front of him, with the building of a new stadium, with some financial clout, I can't see us needing a new manager in the very near future, I only hope & pray he's a 20 year manager!

O'Neill has not been good with identifying youth, nor setting up youth to come through from the reserves/youth teams.

I'd like to express my disappointment in your mentioning two manc managers and disregarding the great Paisley. I'd have preferred perhaps Jock Stein as an analogy. Put me off my sarnie.

[Mumsafan]

I'll need a few Gary Abletts if he ever takes charge

[Redzion]

Gary Mac.