Topic: The King is gone, long live the next one and good luck...

[Hunter Thompson]

I don't want Rafa back and I am a real Liverpool fan who goes the game regularly, went to Wembley three times and followed to away games.

Not that makes me more of a fan than anyone, but still.

I was joking, but I think a few of the responses you got to this comment kinda proved my point.

[justsean]

Just wish Rafa would come out and force the issue a bit and just say "I want the job". If he did the owners would have to listen to him and us. I know he said he'd wait 10 years, but he needs to come out now. Others managers do it when jobs are available.  Although maybe that's just Rafa, he probably has to much class to come out and tout himslef for the job.

I think he would do this if he wasn't already approached.

The fact that he hasn't, says to me that he has definitely had contact with the powers that be.

[stevienash]

Why has everybody shot there load over somebloke saying rafa is on the short list when this is mentioned on no other sites

[hugoboss]

So what's really happening, who are the reliable people and what have they said?

Do we believe the Skysports 12 candidate story?

Do we believe Word Thief saying Rafa is a candidate?

So far the only two confirmations are that we are speaking to Martinez and Rodgers have declined to speak to us.

Are there any other confirmed stories?

[AJG]

Whilst I think Rafa would be brilliant for us, I think some are already expecting too much of him. This is not a quick fix.

[Joga]

No, that just means he's been lucky enough to get tickets that thousands else have tried but haven't been able to get.  Don't confuse the two

You make your own luck. You get Wembley tickets by attending the cup games, the first few of which are pretty much open to everyone. You get away tickets through loyalty. I'm not confused.

[mikey_LFC]

Strange that people would take Rodgers over Martinez. Swansea owe a massive part of their football philosophy to Martinez.

I know strange. And Martinez is much easier to fit into a song than rodgers. We could just replace benitez for martinez in a lot of songs. Ridiculous.

[conman]

Whilst I think Rafa would be brilliant for us, I think some are already expecting too much of him. This is not a quick fix.

he would be about 5 steps ahead of the rest, everyone else would have to begin from a standing start position.

[TALBERT]

Dare you to watch that and not want him back...

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/9OHC7lIfvk4?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/9OHC7lIfvk4?version=3&amp;amp;hl=en_US</a>

This club needs Rafa Benitez!!!!!

an extremely special and talented man

fuck this young up and coming bullshit

we need one of us, and Rafa is Liverpool.......

Just think the lift this club will get, the fans will get, the players will get in he comes back

[Z e u s]

Whilst I think Rafa would be brilliant for us, I think some are already expecting too much of him. This is not a quick fix.

It is not like we need a five year plan either - especially to get in the top four.

[El_Pelusa_10]

I know strange. And Martinez is much easier to fit into a song than rodgers. We could just replace benitez for martinez in a lot of songs. Ridiculous.

 

[Ultimate Bromance]

Just wish Rafa would come out and force the issue a bit and just say "I want the job". If he did the owners would have to listen to him and us. I know he said he'd wait 10 years, but he needs to come out now. Others managers do it when jobs are available.  Although maybe that's just Rafa, he probably has to much class to come out and tout himslef for the job.

If he actually needs to come out and say something to convince these people to have a look at him, then these people are fucking idiots. I'm not saying they must appoint him, but to not even consider him as part of an interview process, I'd be very worried that they're just getting in a yes man.

[AJG]

So what's really happening, who are the reliable people and what have they said?

Do we believe the Skysports 12 candidate story?

Do we believe Word Thief saying Rafa is a candidate?

So far the only two confirmations are that we are speaking to Martinez and Rodgers have declined to speak to us.

Are there any other confirmed stories?

It's been reported basically everywhere that we have more options than just Martinez and Rodgers. I think tonights papers might tell us who exactly is on the shortlist

[Kashinoda]

Whilst I think Rafa would be brilliant for us, I think some are already expecting too much of him. This is not a quick fix.

Nothing in football is a bloody quick fix, something our owners can't seem to comprehend.

Just look at Chelsea, successful once every 4 managers, pathetic.

[Immoral King Brian Blessed]

Just to get this away from Rafa love for a moment.

The Swansea boss has turned us down. That's teh table we are currently dining at.

Discuss.

[liverpoolfan1970]

I love Rafa Benitez big time, and while I'd be quite happy to see him back where he belongs, I think the interview process needs to go forward and take us where it may. There may be a diamond in the rough that we over look if we simply jump on Rafa and immediately bring him back.

[hugoboss]

Just to get this away from Rafa love for a moment.

The Swansea boss has turned us down. That's teh table we are currently dining at.

Discuss.

Who cares, we only wanted him to coach the reserves

[Redkoprob]

Chelsea gets first pick.  We'll get second or third choice.  That's reality, and hence why FSG is aiming low.  They can't say we were going for Klopp, Capello or Rafa but they chose Chelsea over us.

[Effes]

he would be about 5 steps ahead of the rest, everyone else would have to begin from a standing start position.

This is the only thing that makes me think favourably of getting Rafa

[Driver 8]

Why has everybody shot there load over somebloke saying rafa is on the short list when this is mentioned on no other sites

Cause it's a local source. Back in 2004, the Echo knew we were getting Benitez when the national media were obdurately insisting on barking up every tree but the right one.

If they have shortlisted Rafa, I'd say they'll end up appointing him. Very big if, though.

[TALBERT]

Chelsea gets first pick.  We'll get second or third choice.  That's reality, and hence why FSG is aiming low.  They can't say we were going for Klopp, Capello or Rafa but they chose Chelsea over us.

Rafa won't choose Chelsea over us FACT

[AJG]

Nothing in football is a bloody quick fix, something our owners can't seem to comprehend.

Just look at Chelsea, successful once every 4 managers, pathetic.

Yep the next manager we hire we have to say. ''You have 3 years''. ''You will not be sacked unless you get relegated''. This would straight away take the pressure off and let them build for the future. All we need as fans is to see us buying good players, not fucking players like Adam and Downing and to go out onto the pitch with a clear plan. Not much to ask for. If the next manager does this we need to give them time.

[koptician]

Just to get this away from Rafa love for a moment.

The Swansea boss has turned us down. That's teh table we are currently dining at.

Discuss.

Unlike Hodgson he realizes this job is way over his head.  He doesn't want to set himself up for a fall.  Simple.

[dernaroy]

All these posts about getting the thread locked are gonna get the thread locked.

[SalisburyRed]

Just to get this away from Rafa love for a moment.

The Swansea boss has turned us down. That's teh table we are currently dining at.

Discuss.

I'd guess that he's realised that his chances of actually getting the job are probably less than 50%. His decision to say no to an interview will strengthen his position with the Swansea fans (not that that's really needed, but still).

[henry]

You make your own luck. You get Wembley tickets by attending the cup games, the first few of which are pretty much open to everyone. You get away tickets through loyalty. I'm not confused.

or you can pay over the face-value via other sites or thomas cook with a hotel room.

[redmark]

Would you rather Martinez? Honestly, even people who don't want Rafa would surely rather him than the likes of Martinez or Rodgers?

I know it's not simply Rafa or Martinez, but wouldn't you settle for Rafa?

Personally, I want whoever the interview panel* feel is the best candidate to fit the 'plan'. I think the problem with Dalglish was that the owners had bought into our romanticism of the Return of the King, but weren't entirely convinced and therefore entirely committed. I think full commitment to a manager, and real teamwork and trust between all those involved in the management structure, is essential.

Rafa should be interviewed. So should several others; the supposed shortlist being discussed is pretty decent in all. There are some names that excite more than others, but assuming the below proviso is met, I'll be happy and support the decision. That doesn't mean I assume the plan will succeed, or any particular manager is guaranteed to succeed (and that goes for Rafa, too).


*Of course, with the proviso that the interview panel has some actual football knowledge on it.

[BostonScouse]

I don't think this bit about redefining the role is going to attract big names who would want to rescue us.

We have an ownership group that's an unknown who just sacked two managers in 3 years, and an unknown structure with an unknown future.

It would really take some serious wooing to attract a huge name at this point, and I'm not sure they want a big time manager so much as someone they can mold and fit in with a group.

[El jefe]

I want Rafa to come back so much. The owners surely have to at least listen to his plans

[naka]

guys
why would rafa say whetehr he was approached or not, he should keep a dignified silence .
he is probably the best available candidate because we wont get Pep or klopp.
if not rafa i would though like to see if we could go for the italian zenit st petersburg manager , hiddink or indeed   van gaal but would definitely want carragher retire to coaching

[Joga]

Just to get this away from Rafa love for a moment.

The Swansea boss has turned us down. That's teh table we are currently dining at.

Discuss.

Perhaps he thought the job was too much to soon. Perhaps he knows he is onto a good thing and would prefer more experience before moving to a club of our stature. I have more respect for him for rejecting the approach.

He also brushed aside any speculation linking him with Chelsea earlier in the year.

Don't be too disheartened by it.

[stevienash]

Cause it's a local source. Back in 2004, the Echo knew we were getting Benitez when the national media were obdurately insisting on barking up every tree but the right one.

If they have shortlisted Rafa, I'd say they'll end up appointing him. Very big if, though.

Thanks mate try not to take to much notice of twatter unless i know them like

[boo76]

So what's really happening, who are the reliable people and what have they said?

Do we believe the Skysports 12 candidate story?

Do we believe Word Thief saying Rafa is a candidate?

So far the only two confirmations are that we are speaking to Martinez and Rodgers have declined to speak to us.

Are there any other confirmed stories?

If there really is 12 on the list, Rafa must be on there surely?

Here are 14 managers rumoured to be on the list, in order of bookies favourites. 


Roberto Martinez - We have permision to speak to him

Andre Villas-Boas - no club

Rafael Benitez - no club

Didier Deschamps - Currently with a club we need permision to speak to him, are we really going to? is he even on the list?

Fabio Capello - no club

Frank Rijkaard - no club ( i think? )

Jurgen Klopp - Currently with a club we need permision to speak to him, are we really going to? is he even on the list?

Harry Redknapp - Currently with a club we need permision to speak to him, are we really going to? is he even on the list?

Rene Girard - not sure?
                                    
Lucien Favre - not sure?

Paul Lambert - Currently with a club we need permision to speak to him, are we really going to? is he even on the list?

Josep Guardiola - no club, resting for a year.

Martin ONeill - Currently with a club we need permision to speak to him, are we really going to? is he even on the list?

Alan Pardew - Currently with a club we need permision to speak to him, are we really going to? is he even on the list?


So tell me, out these top 14 with the bookies, who would be on your list of 12.

this is embarassing, to even think we will be asking for permision to speak to half of these is crazy, I mean Harry Redknapp ffs etc etc

[What's the procedure Mr Mod?]

Just to get this away from Rafa love for a moment.

The Swansea boss has turned us down. That's teh table we are currently dining at.

Discuss.

He probably knows he's not ready yet. Sensible from him, I'd say anyway.

[QC]

Just to get this away from Rafa love for a moment.

The Swansea boss has turned us down. That's teh table we are currently dining at.

Discuss.

He knows he wouldn't be accepted or given time. No point ruining blighting his record for half a season with Liverpool. He's still too green, and is intelligent to say no.

[.Mike]

I'd like to hear why mate, but it'll get lost under the barage of posts!! 

I'll reply anyways, mind that its not as articulate as I wish it could be mainly as I'm typing it quickly as I need to get out.

I just think FSG would be mental to go back to another former manager, especially how things ended with the King's former reign.  I'd rather we moved forward, and not dwell in the past. There was a huge sense of unfinished business with Kenny and that didn't work particularly well, could you imagine if they sacked Rafa? With Kenny's sacking, although it's sad to see such an icon and important part of the football club leave on such terms, I would be lying to say I didn't see it as inevitable and that I am not entirely agaisnt the idea of it. Like most fans, I would of liked it if he had another season at least to see what he can do, but any fan would say that some of the performances - especially some at home haven't left them with some doubts of our capabilities in the future. When bringing him back this was always a possible scenario, it's just horrible that it has come to this, but I like to remain optimistic over the future.

We have for far too long, existed with our only identity being our history. We now have a blank canvas of how FSG want to form the club - all key positions within the club need replacing. So lets see what they can do with their plan/strategy and see if the scope of their ambitions can help get this club forward and where they belong: at the top of English and European football. I'd expect all key appointments to be made soon, especially if the rumblings of new positions on the board (such as Segura taking a more technical role, such as director role) and the DoF  & Ceo roles being expected to be filled very soon.

The hardest things as fans to do now is to play the waiting game. I'm not going to criticise the owners yet until I see what they have planned next. The pressure is on them now, and it will be interesting to see what they have planned for the club, and I am excited to see what they have in store.

[Joga]

or you can pay over the face-value via other sites or thomas cook with a hotel room.

Is that what he does? Now you're just making things up to suit your original point

[Crixus]

Would love Rafa back but not getting my hopes up, expecting fucking Martinez.

Anyhow, would be really interesting what Rafa does with some of th eplayers in the current squad. Anyway, i'm thinking way too far ahead. :/

[Redkoprob]

Rafa won't choose Chelsea over us FACT

That's not exactly true.  He was a candidate, and he would have taken the job if it was permanent.  He would get to link up with Torres and have crazy money to spend, at least for a season.  The only problem for Rafa is the plastic fans do not want him.  I suppose those who are opposed to Rafa returning are akin to those at Chelsea.

[mikey_LFC]

Chelsea gets first pick.  We'll get second or third choice.  That's reality, and hence why FSG is aiming low.  They can't say we were going for Klopp, Capello or Rafa but they chose Chelsea over us.

That's unfair, all the clubs with no manager should play rock, paper, scissors and the winner gets first pick. Or all the managers pick a number and which ever number a club chooses is the manager they get. Oohh yes that would be fair and fun for everyone.