That's my view on things as well. I'd be very surprised if contact wasn't made between FSG and Klopp's agent fairly immediately after the season ended, or even before that (when he announced his resignation), and that they were basically told to come back in a few months. So, in reality, I think he has been preparing for the job since the summer, and it was simply about timing. Had he been ready to go straight into a new job, I think BR would have been gone after Stoke.
The big contra argument to all this is of course the reshuffling of the backroom staff. If FSG knew Klopp would be ready in November/December, then why go along with BR's wishes? The answer to that could possibly be that they needed Brendan to perform as well as possible - because Liverpool winning football games is in everyones interest. Give him the support he needed while being there, and give the players some new faces to look at and new voices to listen to. But, fundamentally, I think the decision to sack him was made several months ago.
Agreed. I think they went through the following process in the summer:
- is anyone better than Rodgers? Yes: Klopp, Ancelotti.
- are these people available now? No: Klopp wants a break, Ancelotti having a year out, etc.
- is anyone better than Rodgers available now? No.
Conclusion: back Rodgers.
3 games in, and it looked pretty good. After that, we reverted to the Liverpool of the end of last season so they put the feelers out again, and Klopp said he'd join.
Didn't understand why Gareth was so negative about the fact we didn't recruit Klopp in the summer. Pretty sure they'd have brought him in if he'd been keen. Like with Sanchez, sometimes the other parties don't want what we/Liverpool FC want.