WHILE listening to The Anfield Wrap’s show on Radio City Talk on Friday night, there was one line which struck home with me. “There’s kind of nowhere to go from that if it doesn’t work out.” Words spoken by Craig Rimmer that hit home with me, writes SIMON FURNIVALL.
Before word began to spread that the choice to replace Brendan Rodgers was like to be either Carlo Ancelotti or Jürgen Klopp much was made of an apparent lack of ambition from the club’s owners, FSG. There were many who openly wondered whether they had the same desire as fans did to win the league, was bobbing along, occasionally getting into the Champions League and selling more corporate seats the limit of what they wanted for Liverpool? I’d had thoughts along that line myself.
That is a charge which can no longer be levelled. You don’t appoint Jürgen Klopp as manager on the size of salary which has been widely reported in the press (£7million a year) unless you are serious about winning the league. Because you can be damned sure that Klopp is serious about winning the league. However, what it also represents is FSG’s last role of the dice to bring meaningful success to Anfield.
Tom Werner, John Henry and all the others involved in Fenway Sports Group have tried varying approaches to winning since they arrived in October 2010. Once they had gone through the formality of dispensing with Roy Hodgson, their first port of call was the previously successful club legend. The King answered the call and won loads of games, getting himself a permanent deal, but as time ebbed on the shine began to wear off, results followed and though he won us a cup (and nearly two) it wasn’t enough. It was time for a new direction.
In the summer of 2012 it was decided that young, modern and full of potential was the way to go. Roberto Martinez was one option, but the club settled on Rodgers, a man who in his two seasons at Swansea had won them promotion from the Championship and then guided them to eleventh place in the Premier League, all the while playing a brand of possession-based football that won praise from all quarters to go along with the points on the board. An intriguing appointment, but one which others saw as confirmation of where Liverpool stood in the game — no longer able to attract the biggest talents.
Of course, Rodgers’ time at the club took Liverpool as close to the league title as they have been since 1990. Coaching players to better levels and giving me and many others the most fun we’ve ever had watching a football team. But eventually the strain began to show, both the fun and the world-class players seeped away, leaving only a seething mass of fume. Fume that had only one conclusion. It was time for another new direction.
But this time it was no choice between up and coming managers. It wasn’t turning to potential having been unable to tempt the best. It was putting the money where their mouth is and attracting a man who would have been on the shortlist for any of the world’s biggest clubs where they in need of a new manager.
Before Real Madrid appointed Rafa Benítez, there was talk of Klopp. In the ongoing guessing game of who will replace Pep Guardiola when he packs up his bags and heads for a new challenge (please not in Manchester) there was talk of Klopp. But there is no longer talk of Klopp for these clubs because FSG rolled the dice, put their cards on the table, marshalled as many other clichés as you can think of and got the man everyone wanted.
It doesn’t seem like there could have been a better fit for Liverpool than Klopp. Everything said about and by him since Monday just screams that he was a Liverpool manager in waiting. I can’t remember seeing the fans so giddy with excitement at a managerial appointment. It feels meant to be. But what if it doesn’t work out? What if, in three or four years’ time, having perhaps come as close as Rodgers, Benítez and Gérard Houllier did to writing themselves into Liverpool history as the man who ended the wait, the fun stops, the anger builds and it turns out that the pressure of winning the title for the Reds in an unfair system has broken yet another manager? Where do FSG go then?
The answers is, most likely, nowhere. As Craig Rimmer said, there isn’t anywhere left for them to turn after this. All that would be left for them to do is cash in their chips and admit that it hasn’t worked. It strikes me that if Klopp can’t win the title for Liverpool with the footballing landscape as it stands then there’s probably no-one who can.
[rpfc_recent_posts_from_category meta=”true”]
Pics: David Rawcliffe-Propaganda-Photo.Com & PA Images
It always seems that way in the moment but the reality is things change. Another flavour another fad another leader.
But anyway-personally I’m a lot more interested in seeing the start of the Klopp regime than concerning myself with the end of it.
Agreed. It’s shit or bust, but no one will be able to say FSG made the wrong call. We either become Liverpool again or Aston Villa. The only other way is a la City or Chelsea, assuming we have any credibility left. I’ll be watching Marine if that ever happens.
On Friday Jürgen Klopp was very clear when he said we have to stop doubting and start believing. I really wish the word ‘but’ could be purged from the vocabulary of all Liverpool fans. It’s a throwback, a holdback, and it will keep us back. I’m no Pollyanna cheerleader; I’m as much a pragmatic realist as anyone. But I’ve seen time and again that average teams in all areas of life can achieve extraordinary things if they believe in themselves and keep their eyes laser-guided on the goal.
LVG>Klopp
Manc Sunday stalker.
Swerve it, half nose!
One door is wide open, the other just has a knob.
As long as the club is being run with a solid and sustainable financial grounding – there is ALWAYS some other dice you can throw.
Somewhere out there, Diego Simeone is reading this and raising his eyebrow.
Good shout! He’d have been my choice.
We all wish for LFC to ‘win the league’.
On the other hand, regular top-4 finishes, good performances and results in the CL, plus domestic cup success in the next few years would go a long way towards returning LFC to its earlier top-club status.
Winning ONE Premier League trophy would probably feel better than the above, even if it is preceded and succeeded by none of the above.
From a more long-term point of view, though, if winning the League is the culmination of a steady ascent without a massive drop the following season(s) it would be preferable. In my judgment, at the very least.
Not interested. As you say in the article, FSG have evidently put their balls on the table with this appointment. ‘What happens if it fails’, will always be the case with any decision. Lets just enjoy it and not worry about such outcomes.
Spot on. Just let us have this moment and enjoy it.
FSG’s last chance? Well, they bowed to the demands of sections of the supporters. Supporters who see Klopp as some kind of messiah. I’d like to think that this is the supporter’s last chance. They’ve got what they have asked for and if the messiah fails to deliver then FSG should have an awful lot of leeway when it comes to selecting managers and strategies, directions.
As for winning the league, well, Dortmund are the second richest club in their league. Klopp has won the league there twice in seven years. We are the fifth richest club in our league. I actually am not holding my breath concerning a realistic push for the title.
It is not as easy as some people seem to think it is. Klopp may or may not get improved performances and, this is what we basically lacked in the past few games, finishing out of our players, who are talented enough to finish where we are financially, fifth, or a bit better.
In order to actually win the league we probably have to unearth another player like Suarez, who single-handedly wins matches (or rather strikes so much fear into the opposition that they barely dare to leave their own half).
The bigger stadium surely helps to close the gap between us and the four richer clubs, too, but Klopp has a mammoth task at hand trying to qualify for the Champions League in successive seasons in order to close the financial gap. It has to be closed in order to attract (financially) the best players, those who are not already at Real, Barca, Bayern, Chelsea, Arsenal, both Mancs clubs. I don’t mention PSG as no player with the right ambitions would play in France rather than in the Premier League.
FSG’s last chance? Are you sure? What if Klopp fails to deliver? Chase away FSG? No sheik in his right mind would buy an English club playing in a league where he has to outspend four other clubs in order have the biggest chance of winning the title. What do you want the Premier League to become? A contest between sheiks to see who can spend most?
We went static under Moores, though his hiring of Houllier has put us back onto the European map. We went downhill (and fast) under G&H. FSG bring at least some sort of stability AND finally get work done on the stadium, something we have had to wait for for 20 years.
Now, start calling me a FSG apologist or Rodgers apologist or sceptic or even worse. Or think about what I have just written. What can we expect whilst being able to sustain the fifth highest wage bill? What can we expect when other clubs can offer life in a glamorous city such as London or Barcelona (don’t get me wrong here, I’d prefer Liverpool any day of the week, but those overpaid prima donnas are more often than not attention and glamour seekers).
This storm we are walking through right now might last yet a bit longer. We may even only get a glimpse at the golden sky in the foreseeable future. Yet we should walk on and, for a change, support what we have, accept that it may take a lot longer than we’d wish it would and stopped throwing our toys out of the pram as soon as the storm gets stronger. Otherwise I fear that we soon will have Klopp-out-of-the-Kop campaigns.
Well, Klopp clearly isnt interested in the “5th richest team” shit…And im glad. That always was an excuse for Rodgers to underperform…And Klopp is having none of that….
Damn skippy – besides it’s a more challenging task to overtake 1 or 2 exceptional teams that will snap up every talented young national within your league, including from your team (as with Bayern in Germany or Barcelona & Madrid in Spain) than it is to overtake 4 very good teams in England
I wish I could believe this, but I simply can’t. Anyway, Klopp managed one of those two exceptional teams that snap up “every” talented young national within their league. Chelsea on the other hand seem to snap up every talented young player from all over the continent. Now, that is an interesting business model.
He will be soon enough. The fall from the superelevation he receives from sections of our fans might be a long one with a painful impact.
Very well said. Have to agree on most. I say most because I think you have become more negative than realistic. You hit the head of the nail with the outspending 4 other teams to compeat. While this is true, Klopp did not spend mega money on the stars of the team that won the GBL. He seen talent, he harnessed that talent and made world beaters of them. Beaters that BM cherry picked their best players at big profits for BD. I’m trying not to be biased but Klopp is a good tactition but also a great man manager which we’ve needed both that combination since the 80s. He can bring the best out of players, make a system to work too. Yes we need money but we don’t have to out spend we just have to spend well. He is the right fit on paper in every sense for what Liverpool is about. Players want to play for him. Its always a risk but its the risk that is now less with klopp being manager. If that’s not the case then no one would ever be successful. Enjoyed the read just look and as klopp said believe
I was feeling quite happy till I read all this stuff.Now I can’t eat these chips.
Is there a prize for the first negative comments ?
Haha Brian. Exactly what I was thinking. Apparently, we got the wrong man and even if he wins the league it’s not enough but we’re not going to anyway because we’re destined for a life of 5th. Sound.
I’m gonna enjoy it and dream that we can win the league whilst it’s still possible. I enjoy the feeling of hope and belief a lot more than despair and gloom and given the choice I pray I’ll always choose the former. :)
Interesting interpretation, but unfortunately way off the points I made. Thought that, even though my comment was rather long, it was pretty easy to understand, but this thought was obviously wide of the mark, too.
It is also quite interesting with how much expectation, realistic or not, Klopp is confronted from day one.
Sorry mate, I apologise. My comment was taken from 3 of the above comments. Just to clarify, the bit I took from yours was –
but we’re not going to anyway because we’re destined for a life of 5th.
“As for winning the league, well, Dortmund are the second richest club in their league. Klopp has won the league there twice in seven years. We are the fifth richest club in our league. I actually am not holding my breath concerning a realistic push for the title………..It is not as easy as some people seem to think it is………our players, who are talented enough to finish where we are financially, fifth, or a bit better”.
I must have misunderstood your positivity. I was pretty tired last night. Apologies.
Well, I didn’t intend to sound negative or positive. My intention was to level things a bit as the current hype around Klopp doesn’t seem to be healthy at all. All that expectation. They guy is almost destined to fail. Almost. He might as well work minor miracles. I simply don’t know it.
To clarify what I intend to say, I quote a Spurs fan who was asked about Klopp: ” I’m actually a little worried for him. He’s shown in the past that he needs a little time to build a team, but now he finds himself at a club which feels entitled to a trophy it hasn’t won for more than a quarter of a century. Hopefully he doesn’t get chewed up by the pressure.”
It’s ok mate. You may well turn out to be right.
My view on hope is based on a day to day approach. I’ve never been one to look to the future which is probably why I’m not successful in a monetary sense. I take each day as it comes and deal with it. So, regarding Klopp, there’s nothing today to suggest this could go wrong. Therefore I’m not going to look for reasons as to why it could. All I know at this moment in time is we have a world class manager who players the world over seem to be intrigued by. Today, I’m gonna dream it might work out. If in 3 years it’s clear it’s not going to then I’ll deal with it in 3 years. I’m not one to give people advice but I would say, I’d recommend you grasp the ‘hope’ with 2 hands because you may well be right and hope may be the nearest we come to happiness. I don’t think there’s anything to gain from being cautious though. This has been one of the best weeks of my life as a Liverpool fan and I’ve had some good ones. Embrace it (while we’ve got the chance, haha).
Liverpool’s the only club I regularly watch so I was only dimly aware of Klopp’s achievements prior to his appointment. Have been reading up on him this past week though. ..The pre-unveiling of Klopp was so overwhelmingly positive on Twitter that I was really excited for his press conference. He really exceeded my expectations at his though. He is so original and articulate and charismatic in a genuine way that I believe the guy. I believe Liverpool Football Club is gonna win the league and it’s gonna be the ride of our lives! Can’t wait to hear you all sing YNWA next weekend! There may be disappointments along the way but why not get on board? Like Ken Kesey used to say, You’re either on the bus or you’re off the bus.
Don’t forget to set the destination of the bus to “Further”!
Haha Can you stand the electric coolaid football test?
Between hope and belief in ‘winning the League’ and ‘despair and gloom’ about mid-table mediocrity or worse, there are quite a few reasonable, sensible emotional states to be in.
Setting realistic immediate and intermediate goals is not being pessimistic and gloomy. It’s been realistic and methodical.
Yes, winning the League will/would be awesome. Sustainable top-four, league-challenging, UCL qualifying and performing well, etc. would be great.
My point was I don’t want to be in a reasonable or sensible emotional state or be realistic and methodical. I want to dream and I want to believe. For now, at least.
I hope that your dream comes true and doesn’t turn into a nightmare.
Fair enough. As long as we’re all cool with/to each other, and we don’t start scolding one another for being ‘delusional’/’negative Nelly’, it’s going to be alright, I think.
Yep, that would be great. And it would also be great if we stopped calling each other FSG/Rodgers/Lucas/Rafa/who or whatever apologist/fanboy/-girl.
I was very much one of those who doubted FSGs ambition to be silverware successful rather than financially successful. I suggested a lot would become much clearer when we see their next managerial appointment. Fair play to them, they have shown great ambition with the appointment of Klopp. Hopefully they back him too.
Fuck all this, I’ve been smiling since Friday and will continue to do so. Carpe Diem!
Indeed :-))))))))))))
Anything is possible with an inspirational coach and we have one
Well, I see it hasn’t taken long for some to go from doubter to believer, and back again.
The only way this works is if we all have that sense of belief. If we don’t, there’s no point in trying. I hope we get results soon, but if we don’t, we have to push on, and keep supporting each game like it’s our last. YNWA and all that.
I have been wanting to say this for some time, when everyone references “Moneyball” and bring up FSG it drives me nuts. That was a style made by the Oakland Athletics to fight teams like the Yankess and Red Sox. The Red Sox have had a very large budget over the past 15 years. Yes, it was less than the Yankees, but they were second highest for a long time. This was in MLB which also didn’t have a salary cap. The difference was they spent money when winning seemed very close. This management group will spend. When they took over the BoSox they waited a few years felt out the territory and then spent big. In that time they won 3 World Series for a team that hadn’t won in 86years. This can work with these owners. Just because they reference Moneyball doesn’t mean they employed it in the way Billy Beane used it. With the addition of Klopp I think the funds are coming for a real push. I hope so.
All of the Reds’ I know on this side of the pond are ecstatic for Klopp. Thanks for all of the content guys.