Brendan Rodgers

[DannyMan2006]

To put it into context, I don't think anybody would be complaining if we sacked him.

I'm not calling for his head, I think he's been dealt a bad hand this season. But nor am I fighting his corner, as this season has been such a massive embarrassment on so many levels, with a few positives thrown in.

In all honesty he was lucky to survive past December and whilst we had one good run, we've finished on such a poor run of form it makes a mockery of all his quotes about more coaching time making us better.

The biggest obstacle? I've little faith he can navigate a campaign containing league & european football. That added to his poor ability to spot a player, and we have a recipe of a manager who doesn't belong at a top club.

Modern day managers at top clubs need to be able to rotate their squad at the right moments and it is imperative at any level to be able to spot a talented player who can come in and improve the side.

[DannyMan2006]

Well we'd be able to get rafa, but of course we won't. Time for some to swallow their pride though I think.

Aqilani aside though- and Babbel to a lesser extent- at least Rafa's big buys were quality. Not abject, as most of Brendog's seem to be.

Your problem is that Rafa signed players for an established Champions League club. Rodgers has signed players for a team that wasn't even guaranteed European football every year when he arrived.

Furthermore, Rafa had no constraints when signing players. He was free to go out and sign anyone, on any wage, provided it fit within a budget.

In his defence, I would say the season it all went to pot he was screwed royally and his plan was in tatters before the season even started. Every player at the club knew we were ****ed and Rafa spent most the time in the press calling out the cowboys. It was toxic and the bad season was partly excusable.

[Shaggy]

I'd say Rafa had enormous constraints when you consider he asked for funds to be made available to go and buy a centre half - off the back of a title challenge and 86 points - and he was given £1m to find one.

[McDermotX]

I'd say Rafa had enormous constraints when you consider he asked for funds to be made available to go and buy a centre half - off the back of a title challenge and 86 points - and he was given £1m to find one.

Where was Lovren back then ?

[danperkins]

I don't think bringing back Rafa is the answer at all, but he is a good manager though. We've been there and tried it. IMO we need a fresh start at the club now more than ever. With Madrid & City possibly looking for managers this summer be interesting to see who goes where.

Ancelloti, Klopp, De Boer & Rafa are some big names that are most likely looking for clubs.

[DannyMan2006]

I don't think bringing back Rafa is the answer at all, but he is a good manager though. We've been there and tried it. IMO we need a fresh start at the club now more than ever. With Madrid & City possibly looking for managers this summer be interesting to see who goes where.

Ancelloti, Klopp, De Boer & Rafa are some big names that are most likely looking for clubs.

Here me out.

Our policy at the moment is similar to what Arsenal were based on whilst they paid off their stadium. In order for that to work, you need success in Europe. Show me a better manager who we could attract who is better equipped to handle Europe?

I think we'd have a tough first season as many of this squad aren't suited to his favoured 4231, but I reckon in a couple of seasons we'd be competitive again. He also loves the club, would be perfectly settled in the area and with backing from the owners I reckon he'd take us to the top again.

I can't say with any conviction at all that Rodgers will take us to the top both at home and in Europe.

[Fierce]

You'll be delighted at Marcus' news then:

Sunday, May 17, 2015

By Matallanas
Liverpool reopens the door to Rafa Benitez. The Madrid coach has decided to leave Naples despite the desire of its owner to continue. Rafa Benitez has three good offers from the Premier, an interesting West Ham. His greatest desire is to return to Liverpool and his return to Anfield is really possible. The departure of Brendan Rodgers is sung. And the return of Rafa, nearby.

http://blogs.as.com/matallanas/?omnil=src-sab

[DannyMan2006]

Seen it.

In all reality though, Rodgers will be definitely here next season and it's down to him to have us back competing again with no excuses open to him.

[danperkins]

Here me out.

Our policy at the moment is similar to what Arsenal were based on whilst they paid off their stadium. In order for that to work, you need success in Europe. Show me a better manager who we could attract who is better equipped to handle Europe?

I think we'd have a tough first season as many of this squad aren't suited to his favoured 4231, but I reckon in a couple of seasons we'd be competitive again. He also loves the club, would be perfectly settled in the area and with backing from the owners I reckon he'd take us to the top again.

I can't say with any conviction at all that Rodgers will take us to the top both at home and in Europe.

You're not wrong Danny.

If you gave me a choice between Rafa and Rodgers.. Rafa hands down. Rafa isn't a yes man but at the same time there was so much strife the last time too. If, and that's a big if Rafa came back I think I would be much more confident about our direction. Still think Rodgers will be here next season though & he'll have to work a few miracles in the transfer market & show a competent strategy to gain back a lot of the wavering support.

But the thought of Klopp does excite me...can't shake that.

[Marvel]

I'd say Rafa had enormous constraints when you consider he asked for funds to be made available to go and buy a centre half - off the back of a title challenge and 86 points - and he was given £1m to find one.

Benitez was never consistently backed hence the **** he had to bring in on freebies to bolster the squad.

Degen, voronin, etc... He wouldn't ever have signed that load of rubbish if he had been able to buy his first choices or even had a decent budget.

Rafa did the job with his hands tied behind his back.

[DannyMan2006]

You're not wrong Danny.

If you gave me a choice between Rafa and Rodgers.. Rafa hands down. Rafa isn't a yes man but at the same time there was so much strife the last time too. If, and that's a big if Rafa came back I think I would be much more confident about our direction. Still think Rodgers will be here next season though & he'll have to work a few miracles in the transfer market & show a competent strategy to gain back a lot of the wavering support.

But the thought of Klopp does excite me...can't shake that.

Problem we have next year is if we are struggling come October time he'll be a dead man walking and we would be struggling to find a decent manager to come in mid season as well as having spent a load of cash on players to suit his system.

I can give many excuses for Rodges, but they kind of fall flat when you think of the CL campaign, falling flat after dragging ourselves back in the race, bottling it against a poor Villa side and then struggling against Hull, West Brom and Palace, as well as being a bit lucky against Newcastle and QPR in recent weeks. That after Man Utd had been doing their best to blow 4th.

[DannyMan2006]

Oh, and Rodgers taking Gerrrad off when we were desperate for a goal at Stamford Bridge so he could get a standing ovation from them. Then doesn't do the same at Anfield where it actually mattered.

Almost a sackable offence alone.

[DannyMan2006]

Benitez was never consistently backed hence the **** he had to bring in on freebies to bolster the squad.

Degen, voronin, etc... He wouldn't ever have signed that load of rubbish if he had been able to buy his first choices or even had a decent budget.

Rafa did the job with his hands tied behind his back.

He'd be doing the same again if he came back tbf. We don't even know who chooses the players.

[Marvel]

The owners weren't there for the last home game of the season. That's interesting.....

Theyre not happy with something.

[ChesterDave]

The owners weren't there for the last home game of the season. That's interesting.....

Theyre not happy with something.

The cost of air travel?