Is that really a surprise? Its one thing making it public interviewing unemployed managers but the ones with jobs and actual fanbases to worry about are not going to jump through hoops for a 1/12 chance to be manager.
How ********ing stupid does this look. we are the laughing stock of the football world. And this after a legendary manager at a club famous for its pride, class, and quiet efficiency
What is wrong for inviting someone for an interview ? Standard practice is now something to beat them with as well ?
This story is basically the British press trying to fill a post-season lull by making a mountain out of a mole hill. When a job is vacant, approaches are made. A guy who's happy with his job declines. Happens all the time. But it's a "big" club and there's only the CL final to report on, so it's a headline.
We also have Harry Harris (the twat of Soccernet, which is saying something) saying that Whelan has warned Roberto Martinez not to take the Liverpool job because LFC "don't know what they're doing."
Well there is nothing wrong with inviting people to interview, and you don't want to tap people up, but they have agents (yes managers have representatives) and you can find out if they will be receptive to an invite before you publicly announce they are on your short list. And it is publicly if your staff leaks the name.
Nothing unusual here - the guy made a sensible choice that he wasn't ready for this level of challenge, and he's right. But it does unfortunately resonate with the view that we're run by clowns the press loves to use to sell papers. Just part of the fun these days...
The challenge of an interview? A process that is probably going to involve 12 or more other managers. FSG screwed up, they should of had a target in place and gone after him exclusively. Clubs close to bankruptcy encourage many applicants clubs chasing success have a target or two in mind and woo them. Barca signed Guardiola and Vilanove behind closed doors, Madrid went after Maureen not Maureen and 11 other guys. Plus anyone who is familiar with Liverpool as a club knows the esteem Kenny is held in. If he was sacked after one season reaching 2 cup finals what hope has anyone else got of longevity.
Does this mean that we're going to get 12 different threads going, complete with quote from the tabloids every time one of them has a wet dream.
I meant the challenge of the job, but this process clearly indicates they didn't have a clear target in place, didn't have enough confidence in implementing a structure without getting more input, felt constrained about approaching people for fear of it getting out, whatever. Looks like what it is - a bit of a scramble so we really don't look like we have our act together.
let's keep all manager search posts in here... please do not open a thread for every rumored candidate...
From the other thread: I agree. If there is indeed going to be a "division of management", I don't think it's reasonable to think that 'GM person A' is going to do 'job A' with no input/discussion from anyone else, and 'manager B' is going to react accordingly. My view is that they want more of a boardroom approach to making decisions, input from multiple sources. "Power in numbers", as it were. So if Rafa were to get the job (and who knows how seriously he is being considered anyway, this is purely hypothetical), I could see him working with a DoF closely to get things done. And I think that would work for him. In American sports that's the way successful franchises are run anyway – the GM and head coach discuss philosophy and the type of players they want, and then the GM goes out and gets players that will fit that philosophy, while the coach focuses on the X/O's of the sport. I think that's a reasonable expectation for the direction FSG want to go. Not divide duties with no collaboration, but rather fill multiple roles with intelligent people, and have those people collaborate to make quality decisions. So I can see why they'd want to bring in up to 12 candidates. If it's true that they've got a DoF already then there's no harm in going out and finding the manager that will work best with that DoF, rather than interviewing just one guy and trying to shoehorn him into a situation that he may not be suited for. I agree it sucks from a fan perspective and the PR situation right now isn't great, but hopefully this all shakes out soon with the right people in place, regardless of how we got there.
http://www.rafabenitez.com/web/index.php?act=mostrarBlog&id_entrada=87&pag=4&idioma=in#comentarios This is the brain we need at Anfield.
I agree as well. In his prior stint, Rafa objected to having to run football decisions by Rick Parry, who was not a football man. That doesn't mean that Rafa couldn't work with a DoF with a solid football background and whom he respected. My concern about the inclusion of Rafa among the interviewees is that it might scare off other candidates (although I understand the argument that scaring off Rodgers and Martinez might not be a bad thing). Coming in to replace a Liverpool legend is joing to be hard enough. Coming in to replace a Liverpool legend and being chosen over another Liverpool legend is going to place the new manager in a very difficult position with the fans, unless the new manager is a very big name.
Am I the only one hesitant about Rafa again? Do we really want to go from losing to Wigan at home to just tying them and host of other teams that are below us? The man did great things at the club but when it came down to "D-Day" as he called it in his article, without divine intervention (read: Steven Gerrard) we wouldn't have won squat under him. Just saying. Don't know why there's so much unrequited love for this man. *Goes and hides in corner*
Dunno. Rafa might find working with (not for) a really top guy like Cheeky Burger Stain interesting, but he is a brilliant, famously stubborn character. Loved him and would have him back in a second, but it has to be in a situation that works well for both him and the owners, obviously.
Should have been clearer with my post, I wasn't saying that I necessarily wanted him back, but just that I think his shortcomings are being exaggerated. I would not be opposed to him coming back, but I honestly don't have a horse in the race right now. I just wanted to outline my thoughts about FSG's supposed structure.
I think you have to heavily factor in the effects both Parry and the thieves had on his focus, resources and ultimately his performance. Some of his selections had me scratching my head, and the style of play was not often beautiful but overall the guy delivered pretty good results - he made us a cup power and the jury has to be out on his league performance because the three stooges + Purslow cut short the longer term build there. Obviously, a Rafa fan's perspective...
Well let me see a CL medal, a CL final, a FA Cup medal, a League Cup medal, and a League Cup runner up. Bought us Alonso, Torres, Mascherano, Luis Garcia, Reina, Kuyt, Johnson, Arbeloa and Reina. Oh and second by 4 points! And remember the man is the only manager in well more than two decades to win La Liga with a non Super Classico team. This with the two thieves and Parry as dead weights around his legs. I'll take that. Beats hell out of the last two years. And is surely better than Roberto Martinez or what ever other dingleberries they've got lined up. Capello will go to Chelski and Pep aint really available. what really is your alternative that has a better brain or a better track record?