I wouldn't be surprised to see rafa back actually. I was touting a young manager but I think they would struggle. You have to think that whoever comes in has got to make the most of that squad. Can't see another 100m being spent this summer. A young manager will struggle with that.

The problem we have now is that the bar has been set; fail to qualify for the Champions League and you're gone. Whoever comes in will be under massive pressure to deliver success very quickly. This is where less experienced managers could fall down. Rafa delivered CL football five out of six seasons despite civil war in the boardroom so to me its a no brainer. I just don't think John Henry will see it that way.

Pob, there's a world of difference between not qualifying for the cl and what Liverpool did this season. They never even remotely threatened to qualify. I imagine that's the reason he's gone. If it looked even remotely like they might have, I'd say he could have been given more time.

Also, I really really hope that MON gets the call. Not sure that I'd be able to handle the hilarity of it though.

Ger Z said:

Pob, there's a world of difference between not qualifying for the cl and what Liverpool did this season. They never even remotely threatened to qualify. I imagine that's the reason he's gone. If it looked even remotely like they might have, I'd say he could have been given more time.

Ah I agree with you to an extent Ger, but in this age of everyone wanting everything now what is seen as success? If we finish 1 point off Champions League qualification next season under a new manager is that seen as progress or an unmitigated failure? I really don't know any more.

Pob said:

The problem we have now is that the bar has been set; fail to qualify for the Champions League and you're gone. Whoever comes in will be under massive pressure to deliver success very quickly. This is where less experienced managers could fall down. Rafa delivered CL football five out of six seasons despite civil war in the boardroom so to me its a no brainer. I just don't think John Henry will see it that way.

I disagree.

If Kenny had finished 6th this year, missing out on CL qualification by a few points, then he wouldn't have been sacked.

As it was, the club finished in its lowest league position since the 50s, and were closer to the relegation zone than 4th place.

Pob said:

Ah I agree with you to an extent Ger, but in this age of everyone wanting everything now what is seen as success? If we finish 1 point off Champions League qualification next season under a new manager is that seen as progress or an unmitigated failure? I really don't know any more.

That is absolutely progress Pob. I'd be delighted with that, as would any reasonable fans.

Can't see Andy Carroll being effective in anything other than 4-4-2, so will be interesting to see what happens if AVB gets the job