Topic: LFC's next manager - chat and informed speculation

[Andar]

This doesn't seem right to me. The noises aren't good. Think he might end up showing his loyalty to Leverkusen.

My inkling is that we end up with Amorim.

Another exit in Europe the other week to Atalanta. For some assurance, it would have been nice if he made a run to the latter stages. He's not shown much when it comes to his ability to navigate European ties. A crucial aspect needed in any Liverpool manager.

Not to say he isn't a good manager. We won't fall off under him, but we'll likely have league campaigns similar to what we had under Rafa. Comfortably in the top 4 most seasons, but not quite able to hit the ceiling.

[disgraced cake]

This doesn't seem right to me. The noises aren't good. Think he might end up showing his loyalty to Leverkusen.

My inkling is that we end up with Amorim.

Another exit in Europe the other week to Atalanta. For some assurance, it would have been nice if he made a run to the latter stages. He's not shown much when it comes to his ability to navigate European ties. A crucial aspect needed in any Liverpool manager.

Not to say he isn't a good manager. We won't fall off under him, but we'll likely have league campaigns similar to what we had under Rafa. Comfortably in the top 4 most seasons, but not quite able to hit the ceiling.

This is pretty much how I look at it too regarding Amorim, as for whether he actually is the manager next season no idea, still hoping for Alonso personally but would also take him.

European form is crucial for me too, would say though it's going to be hard to make a mark in the Champions League or Europa League even now when you aren't in one of the top leagues, he is only young too of course. I really do want someone who has done it in Europe before though (suppose you can't really count Alonso then in that case as he's not won anything yet). Emery wouldn't be in my top 3 choices but he'd be around my list anyway given his knowledge for winning European ties even if he's never replicated it in the league yet.

It'd also be quite hard though to argue against Amorim even if they don't win the league title this year, because Benfica are neck and neck with them. Sporting are battering teams every week but could still end up 2nd place, not really any different to what we've been through in recent years.

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

This doesn't seem right to me. The noises aren't good. Think he might end up showing his loyalty to Leverkusen.

The noises aren't good because there is absolutely nothing coming out from ourselves, which is how it should be.

If Alonso had turned us down for whatever reason, we would have very likely heard something from our journalists because we would want to get ahead of it from a PR perspective. Instead, they all are saying he is our first choice (which again we wouldn't want out there if we knew he wasn't coming). No news is positive as far as I'm concerned.

[killer-heels]

This doesn't seem right to me. The noises aren't good. Think he might end up showing his loyalty to Leverkusen.

My inkling is that we end up with Amorim.

Another exit in Europe the other week to Atalanta. For some assurance, it would have been nice if he made a run to the latter stages. He's not shown much when it comes to his ability to navigate European ties. A crucial aspect needed in any Liverpool manager.

Not to say he isn't a good manager. We won't fall off under him, but we'll likely have league campaigns similar to what we had under Rafa. Comfortably in the top 4 most seasons, but not quite able to hit the ceiling.

If European football is a factor then what makes Alonso so special?

[meady1981]

If European football is a factor then what makes Alonso so special?

Handsomeness

[Kalito]

If European football is a factor then what makes Alonso so special?

Well, for starters, after his first "full" season last year he took Bayer to the semi's of the Europa League - losing 1 nil on aggregate to Mourinho's Roma.

This season, well he's unbeaten so far ...

[afc tukrish]

Well, for starters, after his first "full" season last year he took Bayer to the semi's of the Europa League - losing 1 nil on aggregate to Mourinho's Roma.

This season, well he's unbeaten so far ...

Plus he's a handsome bastard...

[Kalito]

Plus he's a handsome bastard...

Of course, that goes without saying ... 

[justsean]

Loads of chat about Bayern wanting to rattle Leverkusen with the Xabi interest. I don’t see it. They’re ten points clear with 8 games to go. Leverkusen can afford to draw about 5 out of those 8 and still clinch the title and Bayern haven’t won 8 BuLi games in a row since early 2020. They’re not in form. The league is gone for them.

Think Xabi might join them purely because he has good relationships with a lot of the higher ups at Bayern and he probably doesn’t know any of our “leadership” team given how long it’s been since he was at Liverpool and how much things have changed since then.

That said, Liverpool is objectively the smarter choice in my view. Maybe it will come down to non footballing decisions like what his family want and $$$.

[bornandbRED]

I think there’s a good chance it won’t be Amorim or Alonso, and FSG will identify an unexpected option. A bit like what happened with Rodgers.

[Samie]

FSG aren't identifying anything. It's Will Spearman and our crack analytics team. 

And at thisstage of the process, we'd have already began negotiations. We  basically wanted a new coach confirmed like a week aftr the season ends.

[spider-neil]

I think there’s a good chance it won’t be Amorim or Alonso, and FSG will identify an unexpected option. A bit like what happened with Rodgers.

The only way we don’t end up with either Alonso or Amorim is if they both turn us down as they are the standout candidates.

[CanuckYNWA]

I think there’s a good chance it won’t be Amorim or Alonso, and FSG will identify an unexpected option. A bit like what happened with Rodgers.

Might not be them but this is a horrendous take. FSG didnt have things as well tuned as it is now when Rodgers was appointed.

[Chris~]

Was Rodgers that unexpected back then given who was available for us?

Just looking at some articles from the time Guardiola and Klopp get mentions, but De Boer, Cappello, Villas Boas, Martinez obviously. What a weak lot that was. Rodgers probably ended up being third best from that

[spider-neil]

The position we were in when we appointed Rodger is far different than the position we find ourselves now. We are hiring from a position of strength. The problem is when you chase top candidates other top teams are also chasing them. We had a clear run for Hodgeson and Rodgers.

[MD1990]

think Bielsa would be a good apointment but wouldnt be that long term

exceptional job at Leeds & Bilbao

[spider-neil]

The worry is if we don’t land Alonso or Amorim who else is there? De Zerbi? Ange? Forget Zidane. Inzargi?

[spider-neil]

think Bielsa would be a good apointment but wouldnt be that long term

exceptional job at Leeds & Bilbao

He’d break the players. That was actually my worry about Klopp before he joined.

[zero zero]

My inkling is that we end up with Amorim
Another exit in Europe the other week to Atalanta. For some assurance, it would have been nice if he made a run to the latter stages. He's not shown much when it comes to his ability to navigate European ties. A crucial aspect needed in any Liverpool manager.

Sporting knocked out the PL leaders Arsenal just last season.

[spider-neil]

1. Silverware
2. Style of play
3. League performance
4. European performance
5. Tactics from the start and from the bench
6. Improving players
7. Bringing through youth
8. Personality
9. Working with others
10. Ability to delegate

Hard to find someone that ticks all those boxes. Unfortunately, our current manager does but is leaving.

[Garlic Red]

1. Silverware
2. Style of play
3. League performance
4. European performance
5. Tactics from the start and from the bench
6. Improving players
7. Bringing through youth
8. Personality
9. Working with others
10. Ability to delegate

Hard to find someone that ticks all those boxes. Unfortunately, our current manager does but is leaving.

Even when there have been managers out there that tick a lot of those boxes, there’s no guarantees they’ll be a success. Look at 7Hag at United, widely considered one of the more promising coaches in Europe to an outsider at Ajax, yet he’s looked miles out of his depth in England. It can be difficult to get a proper read on some of these managers. It was perceived that his Ajax side were free flowing, playing total football (maybe they were with de Jong) but I can recall some at the time saying he was more of a Ronald Koeman, more of a pragmatist. It turns out they were right but all the chatter at the time was he was some kind of Guardiola-type with huge footballing principles and philosophies, when in reality he’s just another Solskjaer, if that.

[Fromola]

The worry is if we don’t land Alonso or Amorim who else is there? De Zerbi? Ange? Forget Zidane. Inzargi?

I imagine it'll be one of the two.

Really can't be arsed with Nagelsmann or De Zerbi who'd probably be back up targets.

You've potentially got Chelsea and United looking for new managers as well and Barca and Bayern with limited top talent to pick from.

[Fromola]

Was Rodgers that unexpected back then given who was available for us?

Just looking at some articles from the time Guardiola and Klopp get mentions, but De Boer, Cappello, Villas Boas, Martinez obviously. What a weak lot that was. Rodgers probably ended up being third best from that

I think we actually wanted De Boer but couldn't get him from Ajax. Might have tried to get Klopp out of Dortmund (just won back to back titles) but couldn't.

FSG wanted a young manager to work under a DOF structure and produce a tiki taka style of play. Martinez and Rodgers ended up the two on the shortlist, but Rodgers managed to bullshit them that much with his dossiers and snake oil, that they did away with the DOF thinking they had a Klopp on their hands. A decade on, they've delegated a lot of the football ops to Edwards now, so he'll be overseeing the appointment process.

[spider-neil]

I imagine it'll be one of the two.

Really can't be arsed with Nagelsmann or De Zerbi who'd probably be back up targets.

You've potentially got Chelsea and United looking for new managers as well and Barca and Bayern with limited top talent to pick from.

Nargelsmann is a good third choice.

[rocco]

Amorim doesn’t speak English, surely that’s a huge negative

[DelTrotter]

Amorim doesn’t speak English, surely that’s a huge negative

His English is great

[rocco]

His English is great

Then it’s a big postive , i read he didn’t

[spider-neil]

Amorim doesn’t speak English, surely that’s a huge negative

He absolutely does.

[Draex]

FSG aren't identifying anything. It's Will Spearman and our crack analytics team. 

And at thisstage of the process, we'd have already began negotiations. We  basically wanted a new coach confirmed like a week aftr the season ends.

Wonder who Hunters is stalking right now, sipping an espresso.

[Caston]

This doesn't seem right to me. The noises aren't good. Think he might end up showing his loyalty to Leverkusen.

My inkling is that we end up with Amorim.

Another exit in Europe the other week to Atalanta. For some assurance, it would have been nice if he made a run to the latter stages. He's not shown much when it comes to his ability to navigate European ties. A crucial aspect needed in any Liverpool manager.

Not to say he isn't a good manager. We won't fall off under him, but we'll likely have league campaigns similar to what we had under Rafa. Comfortably in the top 4 most seasons, but not quite able to hit the ceiling.

That’s a bit of a big assumption to make. I don’t know much at all about Amorim, so can’t really comment but he will have a much much better squad here and more money, with a good structure and ‘men in suits’ around him.

[Son of Spion]

This doesn't seem right to me. The noises aren't good. Think he might end up showing his loyalty to Leverkusen...

I think if he could retain all of his players, then that would make sense. But if they get cherry picked by Bayern and other clubs, wouldn't Xabi be basically starting all over again next season rather than pushing on?

[Stockholm Syndrome]

The worry is if we don’t land Alonso or Amorim who else is there? De Zerbi? Ange? Forget Zidane. Inzargi?

Nagelsmann

[Stockholm Syndrome]

I think we actually wanted De Boer but couldn't get him from Ajax. Might have tried to get Klopp out of Dortmund (just won back to back titles) but couldn't.

FSG wanted a young manager to work under a DOF structure and produce a tiki taka style of play. Martinez and Rodgers ended up the two on the shortlist, but Rodgers managed to bullshit them that much with his dossiers and snake oil, that they did away with the DOF thinking they had a Klopp on their hands. A decade on, they've delegated a lot of the football ops to Edwards now, so he'll be overseeing the appointment process.

I think De Boer was frankly lying, because he did the whole "Liverpool wanted me but I wouldn't go" if I remember correctly. He then went on to take the Crystal Palace job and last 3 days

I seem to remember back then, the options for us realistically were Martinez and Rodgers, as Klopp was a no go. We ended up getting Rodgers. I don't remember it being particularly left field or unexpected that we got him

[Stockholm Syndrome]

I understand Amorim looks very promising but I understand from the stat heads that the underlying numbers are good (Jack and your nerd boner I am looking on your direction)

I am really interested in this so could I see these numbers? I want to properly get Amorim, because at the moment the main thing selling to me is the unknown of him (I don't know if he is an uninspiring pick, unlike most other names touted for the job)

Because my big worry with Amorim is he is a big fish in a small pond so to speak (that's an unfair way to put it, I am just worried about the likes of AVB's display as a manager, or someone like Ten Hag, and how performance in a smaller league translates to the Premier League)

[Garlic Red]

I understand Amorim looks very promising but I understand from the stat heads that the underlying numbers are good (Jack and your nerd boner I am looking on your direction)

I am really interested in this so could I see these numbers? I want to properly get Amorim, because at the moment the main thing selling to me is the unknown of him (I don't know if he is an uninspiring pick, unlike most other names touted for the job)

Because my big worry with Amorim is he is a big fish in a small pond so to speak (that's an unfair way to put it, I am just worried about the likes of AVB's display as a manager, or someone like Ten Hag, and how performance in a smaller league translates to the Premier League)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68368787

This was posted a few weeks back by the BBC which I think is influenced by some data, apologies if you’ve already read it.

[Redley]

And thats if the manager does well. I very much Alonso will think if I dont take the job now that it will be another 10 years he gets that chance. He is only young himself so he will be plenty sure that the opportunity arises again possibly even very soon.

Our job is available a lot less frequently than Bayerns. If he genuinely has ambitions to manage all three teams, then logically this is the one you take when it’s offered to you.

[kj999]

Alonso currently 2.8 on Betfair.

For those not au fait, this means if you lay Xabi for a tenner, then if ANYONE else gets the jib, you get £20. If Alonso get the job, you lose £18.

If you're that convinced he aint coming, go get yourself some easy money for little risk.

[bornandbRED]

It can’t be understated that Alonso will have watched us go toe to toe with the financially doped Man City again and again, only to be pipped by a side that’s created an uneven playing field, despite being nearly perfect ourselves and having a once in a generation manager.

And then you have to consider that with the emergence of Arsenal, Newcastle trying to replicate Man City, the inevitability of Chelsea/Man Utd returning to the fore amongst others - the PL is a much, much more difficult league to win than La Liga/Bundesliga. It’s so easy to slip out of that top 4.

And we are a club that will continue to spend frugally, with a transfer budget that will pale in comparison to the other clubs around the top of the table. Whoever takes the job has to do so with the wholehearted acceptance that it will be somewhat of an uphill battle from day one, and success is far from guaranteed. Adversity will have to be embraced.

Considering the above - you can see why there might be some hesitance to take the job when you’re only two years into management, and your other options are 1) winning guaranteed titles and gaining CL experience with Bayern or 2) taking a bit more time to oversee the project at Leverkusen and then managing a super team with the likes of Bellingham, Mbappe, Endrick, Camavinga etc in Madrid…

[Schmidt]

Our job is available a lot less frequently than Bayerns. If he genuinely has ambitions to manage all three teams, then logically this is the one you take when it’s offered to you.

There's also the question of whether we'd want him if he did turn us down this time around.

[spider-neil]

Alonso currently 2.8 on Betfair.

For those not au fait, this means if you lay Xabi for a tenner, then if ANYONE else gets the jib, you get £20. If Alonso get the job, you lose £18.

If you're that convinced he aint coming, go get yourself some easy money for little risk.

I think I will.