Destined for the Anfield hotseat whether he likes it or not?
Now that Rafa Benitez has fled for pastures much greener (likely to be European champions Inter Milan), Liverpool are left with the unenviable task of finding a manager to restore their former glory.
The problem they have, however, is that they are no longer such an attractive proposition to many managers, crippled as they are by debt and with growing unrest in the dressing room following Benitez’s departure.
Speculation already surrounds the future of Stephen Gerrard, wanted by Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, Fernando Torres, a reported target for Chelsea and Manchester City, Yossi Benayoun has issued a (fanciful) come and get me plea to Chelsea and Argentinian mercenary Javier Mascherano also looks set to leave to the highest bidder.
None of this is going to be particularly appealing to any prospective manager looking to further his career and add the famous Liverpool name to his CV.
The real problem though is the £351 million of debt the club’s American owners have managed to accrue. Rebuilding a team capable of winning the Premier League – surely the minimum the supporters expect still – with no funds will be impossible. Persuading the likes of Torres and Gerrard to stay will be only slightly more possible.
To do that Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow and former boss and Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish – the men charged with finding a replacement – must attract a big name capable of convincing the big name players that he is the man to put the club back in contention for honours.
The lack of Champions League football next season is also a negative for players and possible managers as well. In short, the future for Liverpool looks bleak.
Let’s leave the playing staff to one side, however, and look at the names being touted around for the now hotter than ever Anfield hotseat.
First of all there is Kenny Dalglish himself. He’s already managed the club to success and is, of course, popular with the supporters. He has received backing from former players Jamie Redknapp and Bruce Grobbelaar. It would be a step backwards and I’m not sure Dalglish would be that interested. He is, presumably, being very well paid to ‘consult’ on Benitez’s replacement so taking the job himself might not be what he wants.
Outside pressure may convince him to take up the position, at least on a temporary basis until a big name manager becomes available.
One such big name is new Turkey boss Guus Hiddink. A proven manager with a long list of successes, Hiddink may have the presence to convince Liverpool’s big name players to give it another season and could have the skills to mould the current side into a more successful unit. His agent has already said the move is unlikely though and Hiddink has a history of remaining loyal to his contracts.
Martin O’Neill is a far more likely candidate. He could operate within the tight budgets that will be inflicted on the new manager, he is good with the players and he must now be looking to make a step up from Aston Villa. The only thing lacking from his CV is a big name club (unless you include Celtic – and I don’t). Liverpool would suit him perfectly.
Villa owner Randy Lerner will step in and try to convince O’Neill to stay should Liverpool make an approach and the good working relationship they have – compared to the mess that is the Anfield ownership – may swing the balance in the Birmingham club’s favour.
There is no doubt that O’Neill would seriously consider it but would ask for certain assurances. It would be up to Dalglish and Purslow to give them – if they can.
Fulham’s success in the Europa League last season has pushed Roy Hodgson’s name to the forefront of many club’s thoughts, Liverpool included. Like O’Neill, Hodgson would see Liverpool as a step up and an opportunity to further his career. The supporters may not be as happy with his appointment as one might imagine, however. Despite his glowing record with Inter Milan and Fulham and his wealth of managerial knowledge there remains a niggling doubt from the man in the street.
Fulham chairman Mohammed Al-Fayed would fight tooth and nail to keep his man, of course, but the lure of Anfield may be enough. Hodgson is unlikely to be as fazed by the club’s financial mess as O’Neill would be.
Harry Redknapp is another name that has been mentioned. This, though, is very unlikely. The Tottenham manager has Champions League football to look forward to next season, he is in the process of building a side capable of challenging for an even higher position in the Premier League than last season’s fourth place and he seems more settled than he has in a long time.
Add in the fact Harry has never managed up North and is a London boy at heart and there seems no reason why he would move to Liverpool. Except one – Redknapp covets the England job and he may feel that managing Liverpool would bring him closer to getting it once Capello has moved on. That would be one hell of a risk to take though.
Other names being linked include Bayern Munich’s Louis van Gaal, Croatia’s Slaven Bilic, Galatasary’s Frank Rijkaard and former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes. All of these would be put off by the club’s financial and ownership worries, however.
Liverpool have a difficult job convincing any prospective manager that these issues are just temporary and it seems likely that before they can attract the man they want then a new owner and more stability will have to be found at boardroom level. That means the smart money must go on Dalglish to take charge in the short term until those problems are resolved.
Right now that seems the only viable option and the club’s supporters must resign themselves to another unsuccessful season next year – and maybe for more seasons after that – and the loss of some of their favourite players too.
