And no, I'm not trying to start anything or even share my opinion- but if Rafa gets axed, who is out there to replace him?
is there anybody out there that could do a competent job? i am really hard pressed to find anybody that could do a better job....
There was an article the other day on foxsoccer calling for Dalglish and Nichol to replace Rafa. It somehow sounded like Geordies calling for a messiah of the day. no disrespect to Dalglish or Nichol. Rafa shouldn't lose his job b/c of all the injuries we've had. The biggest thing he can be blamed for this year is buying a crocked Aquilani instead of a fit second striker, but if we had stayed healthy and played well it wouldn't have been an issue
Forgive me for poking my nose in but didnt one of the owners make an approach to Klinsmann who is now available?
well Liverpool has almost never changed horses in mid-stream (depending on how you want to treat the Evans/Houllier episode) but we could do worse. However, Kenny would probably be the first to tell you he hasn't the energy for the job anymore.
I think this somewhat understates Rafa's role in the current losing streak--he's made some odd lineup and substitution choices along the way as well. Sometimes such things work, and everyone forgets, or praises the manager's brilliance and foresight. But sometimes they don't, and there have been a number recently that rather emphatically haven't worked (starting Aurelio at CM, giving Spearing his first start on the road against Sunderland, and pulling Yossi for Voronin--indeed, any appearance by Voronin--spring to mind). In such situations, it's appropriate to question the manager's judgment. And yes, I know these are professionals and they should always be ready to play, but the manager surely bears at least a little responsibility for the team's mindset as well. That said, I don't want to see Rafa gone. But that's largely because it would be a panic move, and I don't see a viable replacement.
This is no time for humour. GARETH SOUTHGATE-available and as was said on sky "A potential England Coach"lol
I've got to stop listening to MSM discuss liverpool. The sky IS NOT falling. Yes we've got injuries, but I'm still confident we're going to finish above Citeh, Tottenham, Villa, Everton, Sunderland (FFS Sunderland?) and we're going to be in the CL again next year. Some dipsh*ts want to see our recent dip in form as a precursor to LFC pulling a Leeds. Not going to happen.
All conjecture, of course, but the cries of crisis ignore the context in which the this crisis is happening. Would the "new man" be given the funds to build his own team, I wonder? Or if he sells off some of his Benitez's "failures", will he get to keep the money?
Begone Satan Even Gillett backs Rafa, http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8319831.stm also note See if they fire him they'll have to pay him until 2014 and for you gang wanting more money for players, take a guess what paying two managers would do to the transfer budget
LB - as you know in the US - when a manager gets public backing by the owners usually his head is quarely on the chopping block. This worries me now.
I agree with LB, Gillicks won't pony up the money to buy Rafa out and get another manager that will add value to the team in terms of selling it. I for one am happy about that.
I guess I should have explained myself more. I don't think Rafa should go. I think they should loosen the purse strings in January and let him buy some quality and some depth. But ... the question was raised if he did go ... none of us can influence that decision. If he was fired then Kenny would be the only one I can think of to step in temporarily. I don't see that as a long term solution. I see John Barnes and Trigger were let go from Tranmere
The Dalglish/Barnes era at Celtic produced the greatest sport headline (perhaps) of all time. Super Cally goes Ballistic, Celtic were Atrocious. It came after a complete thrashing of Celtic by Second Division Inverness Calledonia Thistle in a Scottish FA Cup match at Parkhead. Barnes had a row with Viduka at half time and Viduka refused to go back on the pitch. The upshot was Barnes out and Martin O'Neill in.
I thought the same. Indeed, Liverpool (such as it now is) almost never fires managers-- with some infamous exceptions, of course-- unless they lose the terraces. So far that hasn't happened, despite some rumblings here and there such as from those type who were singing "who are yer ..." to Lyon fans )