Miracle man needed to rescue Liverpool following firing of Rodgers
Xinhua, October 5, 2015 Adjust font size:
As the famous Kop army eagerly awaited news of a new boss to take over English premiership club Liverpool, the fall-out continued Monday falling Sunday's shock exit of Brendan Rodgers.
Former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp is reported to be Liverpool's first choice to replace Rodgers.
Acknowledging the parting of the ways became inevitable in the wake of Liverpool's dismal performance this season, the city's main newspaper posed a question.
"If Brendan Rodgers was not to blame for a lack of progress at Liverpool the finger could only point in one other direction," wrote Andy Kelly, editor of Liverpool FC coverage at the Liverpool Echo.
Kelly added: "And that is across the Atlantic, to a group of largely absentee landlords who - despite the decision being pre-planned - did not even deign to deliver the eviction notice from the Anfield dug-out face-to-face.
Chief executive Ian Ayre - the local bailiff if you will - did the job after an initial call from across The Pond, ending a three and a half year reign which came agonisingly close to glory."
He was referring to Fenway Sports Group (FSG), American owners of the club.
Feelings were mixed among club faithfuls, some breathing a sigh of relief that the deed had been done, others refusing to condemn the likeable Rodgers.
His sudden departure after the 1-1 draw in Sunday's local derby with near neighbors Everton left other club managers shocked, some rallying to Rodgers' defense.
Some fans at Anfield, though, were not as forgiving. "Rodgers has presided over the dumbing down of the squad from European contenders to mid table mediocracy," wrote 'Guzzie' on one site.
Red Sunset, on another site, wants Liverpool to return to the glory days when it had a boot room full of intelligent football men. "Now they have the chance to do it again, by recruiting Kenny Dalglish , with Gary McCallister, Jamie Carragher Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler all working together knowing they have the full knowledge of what is expected of our club. Forget transfer committees, they don't work."
The chances are, though, that across the Atlantic the men who rule Anfield are already setting their sights on a big name replacement from mainland Europe.
As well as Klopp, the names of former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and Ajax manager Frank de Boer are also in the frame.
With Liverpool in mid-table tenth place, three spots behind Everton, Anfield needs a miracle man to propel the club into a top flight place with European glory as the only goal acceptable. Endi