In the week where news from Anfield is that there is some changes to be made within Brendan Rodgers support group, I look at these changes and my thoughts on what will happen next.
Brendan Rodgers took up the role as Liverpool manager on 1 June 2012, he brought with him as his assistant Colin Pascoe, the ex Welsh international, who had been his assistant at Swansea City. Mike Marsh an ex Liverpool player and born and bred in Liverpool, was also promoted from within when Rodgers was and is in charge.
Source: liverpoolfc.com
Now Pascoe and Marsh are being relieved of their duties, following end of season talks with Fenway Sports Group and Brendan Rodgers, where the season was reviewed after a disappointing campaign, finishing 6th in the league, out at group stages Champions League, a good FA Cup run ended by a dire display at Aston Villa in the semi final, and an even worse end of season losing to Palace at home in Steven Gerrard’s final league match at Anfield, and an even worse display final game of season away to Stoke, when Rodgers position was already being talked about in the media as being under pressure, and his players out in a performance like that, yet Brendan Rodgers stays?
Does seem strange to me, that the assistant and the first team coach are removed, yet the manager who was involved in them getting the positions in the first place remain. Jim Beglin, respected football journalist and ex Liverpool player, said that as a point of loyalty, that Rodgers could be thinking of resigning, speculation, but would that be a consideration Rodgers himself would have?
Again pure speculation, but you do wonder if during that meeting, the review of the season some blame was levied on the coaches rather than the manager, and who would have had most to gain by that, were the coaches thrown under the bus?
In my opinion, Fenway Sports Group taking all matters into account, plus the fact that Brendan Rodgers has spent in excess of £150 million in 3 years, and only of those buys, Coutinho and Sturridge right now have been successes, should look at options, and one name stands out. Jurgen Klopp.
As I am writing this, Liverpool announced in last week that James Milner has joined Liverpool and only yesterday Danny Ings joined subject to medical, yet we have not heard anything from the manager or Fenway Sports Group, saying words such as “delighted to acquire 2 young hungry British players” or the “start of our recruitment drive this summer”, and I find this very strange, is there more change around the corner?
Time will tell, but my opinion is if Jurgen Klopp wants a short rest to recharge his batteries, then Rodgers needs to get Liverpool off to a good start to the season, as if by Christmas Liverpool are sitting around 6th again, we may well be seeing a new man in charge.
This could even happen sooner, with reports today that Klopp could even forego his own self imposed sabbatical if the right role came up, with his agent even saying that a role in the premiership excited him, even if the club is finished outside the top four. Seeing Liverpool now already are looking to bring in a new assistant manager and a first team coach, would it now not be simpler to bring in a new leader as well so the man at the helm selects his own support staff?
Fenway Sports Group are business people and are very aware they sack Rodgers is compensation to be paid which eats into the money that could be used on transfers, applying a bit of pressure and seeing Klopp’s name in the papers on a regular basis, Rodgers could decide to resign, meaning no compensation. Let’s see what happens.
Craig Muncey
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