Source: Team_Talk
Reds gaffer role still a fantastic chance
With Rafael Benitez now gone, TEAMtalk's Ian Watson argues that the Liverpool manager's job is a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate.[LNB] According to most, the vacant Liverpool position is a poisoned chalice.[LNB]The idea of working for two owners who want rid of the club and are not prepared to commit the necessary funds needed for immediate improvement doesn't sound an attractive proposition, especially when you consider that the Reds' two best players look increasingly likely to be following Benitez out of the exit door this summer.[LNB]On the face of it, whoever takes the job is on a hiding to nothing. But scratch the surface and what presents itself may be an extremely attractive opening.[LNB]The new Liverpool manager really has nothing to lose. If he cannot stop the ship from sinking, then very few will see that as a poor reflection of his abilities. The rot had set in long before he arrived and the vast majority will remember that.[LNB]But for the increasingly few ambitious bosses who are prepared to put their nuts on the chopping block, the Anfield position represents a magnificent opportunity to earn themselves immortality, on Merseyside at least.[LNB]Over the years, the managers held in highest regard are usually those who emerge when their club is down and almost out, which is exactly the state Liverpool currently find themselves in.[LNB]The Reds fans understand that and their almost-blind loyalty to Benitez despite his failings shows the kind of esteem they hold their managers in, and how patient they are prepared to be.[LNB]That patience would doubtless stretch to the boardroom, where Hicks, Gillett, Purslow and co know they cannot afford to sack another boss anytime soon, even if they wanted to.[LNB]Obviously the club is up for sale, but with no-one insane enough to pay the Americans' deluded asking price set to emerge anytime soon, then a change of ownership is unlikely to cause a problem for any potential candidate for at least a year.[LNB]We know the club is strapped for cash, but there is talk that there are funds available this summer. Not an unlimited purse, but more than the £5million than has been reported. [LNB]The first priority, though, would not be to buy new players, but to persuade the ones already at Anfield to stick around. The good ones at least.[LNB]While it looks increasingly likely that Gerrard and Torres will be on their way, it is by no means certain yet. If the club can appoint the right man in a swift manner, Torres especially might be persuaded to stick around for at least one more year.[LNB]Even if Gerrard were to leave, it seems the new man will be given the majority of any funds raised to reinvest in the captain's replacement and in strengthening the squad outside the first XI, which remains undeniably strong. [LNB]Reds legend Kenny Dalglish is one of the men tasked with the responsibility of finding a new manager, and some have even suggested the Scot himself could be the man for job. After a decade out of management though, I'm quite certain both he and the club are aware of how absurd that particular idea is.[LNB]Along with Dalglish, Martin O'Neill is one of the front-runners with the bookies, but he has a pretty cushy role at Villa and in my opinion, his limited abilities would quickly be found out at Anfield. [LNB]Guus Hiddink - despite not having even begun his contract with Turkey yet - is also in the frame, as is Roy Hodgson, who I think could be a suitable fit.[LNB]Neither Hodgson - who has expressed his desire to manage a 'big club' - nor the Reds board will be looking to agree on a long-term deal such as the five-year contract Benitez was inexplicably offered in March 2009. Also, the Fulham boss has probably taken the Cottagers as far as he can and he is used to making the best of what he's got in player terms.[LNB]This could be a perfect swansong for Hodgson, who would be a more intelligent appointment than Sven-Goran Eriksson, who will likely be sniffing around the job despite having recently taken the Ivory Coast reins.[LNB]Regardless of who Liverpool appoint, it has to be an individual who is confident enough to back himself to pass such a tough test of his managerial capabilities.[LNB]There are very few around who would be willing to put their reputation on the line, but the risk would be more than worth the reward for whoever gets it right at Anfield.
