First of all, Maximus, thanks for the OP. It's a fascinating read and has certainly left me feeling far more encouraged about our new manager than I was at the same time yesterday as the news started being confirmed. I knew a fair bit about the man, but little in depth. I suggest everyone entering this thread takes 30mins to read it all in its entirity. It's a must-read.
You know it's bad when you have to put loads of articles and Youtube videos up to find out about your new manager.
My litmus test would be if Arsenal, Chelsea or MAnU said this was their new manager would you laugh?
Chelsea are looking for a new boss as we speak, and you could easily have seen Rodgers getting that job given his previous history. As others have mentioned, Arsenal hired Wenger so I don't think the point is valid in this instance.
You expect too much. I'd reign your hopes in otherwise you are going to have a pretty unhappy season.
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We're in it for the long run now. We've started again. That takes time. Lots of time.
It's good to see you're now behind the new man Andy, but I disagree with this issue over time and how long it would take to start succeeding. Look at the other leagues, France and Germany namely with the recent league winners unfancied teams without the resources of the traditional big boys. Klopp only took Dortmund over in 2008 and won the league 3 years later. As much as I dislike the man, Mourinho famously said that it's one of the biggest myths in football that you cannot succeed as a manager in your first season at a new club. Given the facts, quotes and statements in the fantastic OP you have to wonder what this current team could be capable of playing the high pressing possession game Rodgers seems to advocate. The pressing is the main issue most of us had 'tactically' with Kenny, we've already been trying to play possession football for 18months, so there's not much that needs changing. You also have to believe that Lucas, Pepe, Glenn, Agger, Gerrard, Henderson, Suarez et al are all licking their lips at the prospect of working under Rodgers next season. At this moment in time I'm certainly feeling positive about what these players can do in a more focussed tactical system. I firmly believe Rodgers could be instantly successful with the right buys and the full backing of the board and support.
Aah well, thats it then. Good luck to him.
As one of the most positive supporters on the site MM, I sincerely hope that like me, your apathy and concern is still purely due to Rodgers being Kenny's replacement, and that you can ultimate get behind him as passionately as you have previous managers. I still feel that Kenny's seat is still warm, but now is a new dawn, and whether it was Martinez or Rodgers, we need supporters like you banging the drum of reason and positivity.
Out of him, Luís André de Pina Cabral e Villas-Boas & Martinez, I'd take Rodgers everyday of the week.
Having read all of the OP, I believe Rodgers is a far superior candidate to Martinez. I'm delighted we do not have the ex-Chelsea manager now in charge of our club. Rodgers is fresh, hungry, positive, ambitious and principled. FSG seem to have done well in this appointment.
Really admiring your restraint Andy.
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No doubt I'll get this post deleted and a permanent ban for expressing a heartfelt opinion with no expletives but I suppose RAWK is no longer the place for open honest debate.
Nothing wrong with your opinion, there will always be naysayers. Out of interest have you read the full OP? What do you think of Rodgers himself, regardless of what's happened previously? Now they are putting in place what they believe will make the club successful. Are you really going to stand in the ground for our first home game and be negative from minute 1? This is not Hodgson MK2.
Look we are not going to get into the Champions League for the next 4-5 years too many big spenders and money generators above us. The least I expect is to be entertained with some decent football something Rodgers hopefully will bring along with a bit of success. Did not want Rafa or Kenny to go but since Evans time our football has been brutal to watch sucessful yes throw in the odd cliffhanger nailbiter etc etc but I am from the time we were the best side and frankly played the best football in europe. We will always be a massive club however any of you who think there is a conspiracy about the position of the highlights of our games on nMatch of the day need a wake up call we are hard to watch full stop. Give the man a chance.
Good fluid, possession based football, and occasionally beating a few of the big five teams is all we can realistically hope for. Consolidate 6th for a few seasons. Buy some promising young players, and gradually challenge for 4th in 3/4 years time, all things remaining equal. Think Rodgers will definitely get us playing good football, truthfully given the financial doping addicts at Chelsea and City (and the lack of will to really tackle this within Uefa), that is all we can hope for.
Why can we not get into the Champions League next season? We reportedly have £30m to spend + player sales and can already boast a core team of quality players. Newcastle came within a whisker of qualifying with far less. Let's not fall into the trap of low expectations just yet, despite our last 3 seasons performance. Neil on TAW sums it up well - 65 points. 20 wins and 5 draws is what's required. Read that OP again and tell me you don't feel Rodgers could get those 20 wins?
Wonder will Aquilani get a second chance now, technically gifted and certainly knows how to play patient possession continental style football.
I think as has been commented on many, many, many times before, it all depends on Aquilani himself. You would have to feel that Rodgers would want him, but then didn't Kenny? I would absolutely love it if he was part of our squad next season.
Sorry but couldn't resist...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWoNa3Azce4
That's hilarious and well worth others watching if they can't read through the whole thread.
Gentlemen,
Fantastic post. I still think your post about Kenny's appointment was one of the best and most prophetic I've ever seen on here. If you can get behind Rodgers with such love and affiliation for Rafa and Kenny then there's no excuse for any of us.
If only we had a boss Brazilian international perfectly suited to that role.
Will he actually be ready for next season? I can just see it now - Skrtel and Agger splitting with Lucas dropping in to receive the pass from Pepe. Exciting times.
So, in summary.
I'm enthused by this. I can't help but be. It seems Rodgers was always their first choice, and you have to admire him for turning down the chance to speak to the club at a time when he thought he was one of many candidates but then moving swiftly when it became clear he was top of the list. He's obviously strong-minded, which will be key for some of the major decisions he'll have to make over our existing playing staff next season. He's principled, has his own unwavering belief on how football should be played (which ties in perfectly with our traditional philosophy), is well travelled, cultured and even speaks Spanish.
We haven't finished in the top 5 for 3 seasons running. We haven't been this consistently poor in the league for decades. Because of this he has been given the opportunity to take the most successful club in English football history forward at a time where you could argue expectations will be at their lowest. What a chance for him. Kenny has laid the foundations to build on; reading the OP I believe he has the personality and skill to do so.
Welcome to Liverpool Football Club Brendan, I'm 100% behind you.