Source: Team_Talk
Fairclough: Change is necessary
David Fairclough believes the club may need to change their manager to retain the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.[LNB] The end of Rafael Benitez's six-year reign at Anfield could be imminent with widespread reports claiming discussions with the Spaniard over a severance deal are under way.[LNB]Benitez's future has been the subject of recurring speculation throughout a difficult past season, which Liverpool ended in a disappointing seventh place in the Premier League.[LNB]That represents an alarming slide from their runners-up spot last year and, with no Champions League football next season and club debts of £351million, Fairclough feels the team may need fresh impetus.[LNB]Star players Gerrard and Torres, as well as Javier Mascherano and Yossi Benayoun, have all been linked with moves elsewhere and a change at the helm could help persuade them to stay.[LNB]Fairclough, who made 155 appearances for the Reds from 1974-83, told Sky Sports News: "I am not totally surprised. There has been so much speculation surrounding the club - ownership-wise and the future of Rafa Benitez.[LNB]"Liverpool under-performed last season and there were clear signs of disharmony.[LNB]"I think Rafa found it hard to galvanise the team in the way he had in seasons previous.[LNB]"With big decisions coming up for Torres and Gerrard to commit their futures, and to show Liverpool have a real future, they need to keep hold of their best players.[LNB]"I think a strong decision needed to be taken and with the World Cup coming up, Liverpool cannot afford to wait too long."[LNB]Liverpool have so far declined to comment on the reports concerning Benitez's future.[LNB]It is understood the club want to agree a compromise settlement - with a fee of £3million mentioned - with the 50-year-old, who it is thought would be entitled to a £16m pay-off if his contract was terminated now.[LNB]Roy Hodgson, Martin O'Neill and Guus Hiddink are among the favourites to succeed Benitez should he depart, as is former Reds boss Kenny Dalglish.[LNB]And the Scot, who guided Liverpool to three league titles in his first spell as manager between 1985 and 1991 and is currently working with the club's youth players, has the backing of former Reds midfielder Jamie Redknapp.[LNB]The 59-year-old's last managerial spell came 10 years ago at Celtic but Redknapp believes he can bring the glory days back to Anfield.[LNB]"I have absolutely no doubt that Kenny would be a huge success if he took over," said Redknapp, who spent 10 years at the club.[LNB]"The argument would be that he has been out of football for a long time but Kenny watches football every day, he doesn't miss a thing.[LNB]"The players will respect him from his previous experience so Kenny Dalglish would be a very good idea.[LNB]"People are talking about him as a temporary solution but he can be the permanent manager for me.[LNB]"The man was a genius as a player. From just being around him his enthusiasm rubs off on you. Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres need someone that they enjoy working with and that man should be Kenny Dalglish."[LNB]Redknapp also welcomed the reported decision to offer Benitez a severance package, saying that the time had come for the former Valencia boss to move on.[LNB]"It's good news but still a surprise to be honest," the 36-year-old added.[LNB]"It's certainly a brave decision from Liverpool. Rafa is still a very popular figure up there.[LNB]"I like Rafa, he has won the Champions League so he was a success to a certain extent but in my opinion the club still isn't going in the right direction and the players he has signed aren't good enough.[LNB]"He has not been able to bring in the right players to challenge the dominance of Manchester United and Chelsea so the time was right for a change."
