ROB GUTMANN was joined by Melissa Reddy, Simon Hughes and Jonathan Northcroft as they discuss the apparent crisis surrounding the Liverpool manager’s job.
Can Brendan survive ?
What are FSG be thinking ?
Who are the main candidates should change happen ?
All the answers here.
Maybe.
He is the man we need
If FSG fail to bring him in and he goes elsewhere it will be negligence on a colossal scale
Spot on.
No crystal ball required folks, FSG take great pride in the unbroken run of capacity at the Red Sox, and I bet that appealed to them about Anfield also. 5k+ of unsold tickets for 2 matches in a row, out the door with Brendan. Yes of course I hope they have had the correct conversations, and I am left wondering most of all who the people are who have advised against Klopp. I would bet my bicycle he will be managing a top six English club before the season is over, and yes it could be harmful if that is not us, if that trigger is pulled.
They way its going its going to be 50 goal conceded this year again thats going to be 3 years in a row. fsg likes stability. Thats stability for you. Forget Klopp or someone else we will be happy with 6th or 7th finish again under Mr rodger AGAIN.
FSG are very good at running a business. Unfortunately they have little to no knowledge about running a football club, nor do they seem to want to bring in people who do know how which makes me think that success for them is simply down to money.
There is NO ONE in the top echelons of the club that know anything about running a football club so who is qualified to be making these major footballing decisions re manager appointments, DoF, transfer committe etc etc
If If If, again we are back to If Sturridge had been fit, if the other teams had lost a striker. If If If. Time has to stop with the ‘what if’ nonsense.
A good pod but again its hard to listen to Melissa flip flop whilst trying to gauge whether BR is going or not so again it’s half backing, half being slightly critical with the caveat that she can roll it back if he stays.The last question asked by Rob didnt get an answer, there was just a long ramble about what could happen. Just pick a position Melissa ( if you can!) I understand it as she is part of the media that has to deal with LFC and goes to press conferences etc but its a tough listen, for me anyhoo.
Andrew, all three of us spoke along the same lines – and all three of us said we can’t be 100 per cent sure of what happens next because of the lack of clarity from above.
All three of us go to press conferences and deal with LFC.
None of the three of us ‘picked a position’ because there is no position to pick – we weren’t asked ‘should he go?’, we were asked what could possibly happen.
All three of us gave mitigating factors and criticisms.
So, if all three of us were on the same wavelength, I wonder what it is that makes me different from the two guys…. Hmmm.
Really, that’s the gambit? Christ, well there’s not much more to say on that if that’s really what your accusing me of.
I think your writings on this site have been excellent and i’ve said it when I’ve needed to say it, however, for me, you prevaricate a lot when asked a direct question about BR and look there’s nothing wrong with fence sitting, but say so, to have someone say ‘Y’know what I’m really undecided or im sitting on the fence here as I’m unsure’ is no bad thing, we all do it, especially when it comes to football. I have a tendency to say ‘Ummm’ a lot in interview situations, you it seems have a tendency to go round the houses, so I commented on that.
To make out that i’ve singled you out because your a woman and I’m playing the sexist card has, to be honest, properly fucked me off.
Par for the course, Andrew. Skip the pods when she’s on.
I haven’t accused you of anything, Andrew. I pointed out that everyone on the panel spoke along similar lines and then asked a question. I was hoping you’d answer it by referencing specifics in the pod in relation to the other guests, as that is what we were discussing after all…
Of course Melissa because writing a paragraph such as “So, if all three of us were on the same wavelength, I wonder what it is that makes me different from the two guys…. Hmmm” isn’t open to that interpretation at all?.
I’ll credit that you knew exactly what you were insinuating with a line like that.
Best of luck with that Melissa, i’ll bow out before this goes on and on.
Some excellent points made in this that I’d not heard before. Excellent point made by Jonathan ( think) about Rodgers press conferences being directed at FSG.
I don’t want to go over old ground but it’s quite simple for me. If Klopp wants the job then give it him. If he doesn’t (and I’m assuming Ancelotti wouldn’t take it) then I’m ok with Rodgers staying (in the absence of a definite upgrade).
My point, though, is, I’m not really sure what I want outside of Klopp. I can see merit in both replacing and keeping Rodgers. I don’t think I’m alone in that view. Brilliant point by Rob about fans now writing the headlines.
I just absolutely despise criticism becoming personal because someone doesn’t nail their colours to the mast. I believe it’s a lot more complex than picking a side and staying in it. As Simon pointed out, there are a lot of mitigating circumstances. My view on everything changes after each game. I’ve always been like that and I’m not bothered about admitting it.
I thought this was a brilliant podcast and all the contributors made excellent points. Far more sense spoken than words written in the comments. Melissa always adds a good angle on any debate.
FSG have to try for Klopp at least or where is our ambition??
I’m not quite sure why Brendan gets sympathy for last seasons squad and transfer window. Yes Suarez left and Sturridge got injured and we failed to buy Sanchez… but as the manager and prime architect of our squad he should and could have executed a better plan in advance of all those things happening May 2014 onwards. Instead he was like a kid left alone in a sweet shop with millions to spend:
Lallana, Markovic and Origi weren’t needed for a combined 50mil+
Lovren wasn’t needed when we already had a better player in Sakho and Illori for LCB
Lambert and Balotelli weren’t needed if you didn’t intend to play to their strengths and know you have an injury prone first choice.
Sanchez coming would only have masked these inadequacies of both Rodgers decisions and the clubs planning and progression. Because of this he deserves the criticism he gets now as last season was a fiasco.
Last summer we only needed an upgrade on Mingolet, a partner for Sakho, a quality striker to complement/replace Sturridge and possibly a goal scoring midfielder if cash was left. 3 of those 4 were easily attainable and bring a few youth through and our first team would be improved and squad solid.
A new manager needs the ability first and foremost to plan and execute. FSG are obviously blind to this or we’d have had a new manager in the summer.
There’s more holes in you argument than a colander.
You can’t just lay everything at Rodgers door. Admittedly, I once blamed him for the engine seizing on my car because my mind was on Liverpool’s poor form rather than the oil light on my dash but even so. Listening to this podcast hit home that until we have some clearly defined roles at the club any manager will suffer these problems. We don’t know who is to blame for poor transfers / transfer policies. I’m sure everyone has to put their hand up there.
“but as the manager and prime architect of our squad he should and could have executed a better plan in advance of all those things happening May 2014 onwards. Instead he was like a kid left alone in a sweet shop with millions to spend”
This simply isn’t true. Is it Rodgers fault we didn’t get Sanchez. Do we even attempt to get Rodgers preferred choices? No (thank god).
He certainly wasn’t let loose with millions of pounds. He’s got too many constraints if anything and that’s the problem. When he wants a player he has to fit in with the wage structure. He’s got to fit the age profile for ‘value’. He’s got to have the right sabermetrics and it seems he has to be able to play in multiple positions. It’s a confused policy which helps no one, especially the manager (regardless of who it is).
Too easy to blame Rodgers for every single issue at the club. The club has other factors that needs addressing
Rodgers is taking us down a level, we’re on the path the Owl started.
When your entire excuse is Studge, he’s going to look fucking stupid when Daniel doesn’t bang in 2+ goals to make up for the pathetic shambles Rodgers had created at the back.
I can’t believe we have two proven managers sitting on their arses, available right now. Come christmas, they’ll be signed up to our rivals. Well, better run and richer clubs. Rodgers has taken us to mid-table or worse, so Soton, Bitters and Palace are the rivals now. Manage expectations, that’s the name of the game and why FSG don’t show their faces.
I don’t disagree mate but problems at the club are not just down to Rodgers.
Interesting listening to this after the Sion game but I agree with others on here, I think FSG are a massive problem and I worry long term about them as owners. I just wonder whether they’re that arsed about us if truth be told