Could FSG be about to dump another manager?
Every Liverpool manager must wish that the club didn’t have an array of former players in the media only too willing to give their opinion on the current man in the hotseat.
Former tough tackling midfielder Steve McMahon has done some tough talking (see what we did there?) on Brendan Rodgers’ future.
McMahon believes Rodgers is a much better coach than manager and that he lacks the authority of Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger.
While most would agree with that statement, what is more damming is that McMahon also feels that after a disappointing season for the Reds, the club should dispense with the Antrim native and appoint Jurgen Klopp instead. Writing for ESPN he says:
‘If Liverpool are to get back to where they belong in English football, they need to be ruthless. That’s why they must go all out to bring in Jurgen Klopp as manager next season.’
‘If Klopp isn’t available or interested, then it would make sense to give Rodgers more time. But I believe that one-time assistant to Jose Mourinho at Chelsea is probably a better coach than he is a manager.’
‘The Ulsterman is superb when he is on the training pitch, putting on creative and inspiring sessions for players. But he’s shown this season that he may not be as adept when it comes to his man management skills and the recruitment of players.’
Rodgers will point that his side still have a mathematical chance of making fourth place, but in a season where they have had to function without a proper frontline for most of the season, the pressure on the Ulsterman is acute.
American owners FSG previously sacked Kenny Dalglish despite winning a League Cup and narrowly missing out on an FA Cup triumph. McMahon feels that Rodgers does not have the personality or demand the respect of other coaches or his players in the Premier League,
‘When Mourinho, Louis van Gaal and Arsene Wenger walk into the dressing room, there is no question about who is boss. While Rodgers deservedly earns respect, he simply doesn’t have the same aura that is needed when you are managing a big club and ensuring that it is successful.’
‘Rodgers certainly has lots to offer as an assistant or in a training ground role at Liverpool, but it would be hard to see him staying on should someone like Klopp arrive as head coach.’
Rodgers will end the season as the first Liverpool manager since Bill Shankly to go over three seasons without any silverware.
McMahon feels that the club need a proven trophy winner back at the helm and the German coach is the ideal candidate if he can be persuaded to join the ranks at Anfield:
‘There is no doubt that Klopp, given the chance, would bring silverware to Merseyside. He’s proven that in the Bundesliga, even getting the better of the mighty Bayern Munich on occasions. Liverpool’s supporters all around the world are hungry for the trophies that sustainable success would bring. So let’s not beat around the bush about this. Klopp and Liverpool could be a match made in heaven.’
H/T to ESPN
