Roy Hodgson's Precarious Position Opens the Door for a New Manager at Liverpool

• John Henry and New England Sports Ventures (NESV) have been treated early in their administration to their first managerial controversy. Liverpool FC has shown about as much fire under boss Roy Hodgson as they did with former manager Rafael Benitez, thus the precarious position in the bottom half of the Premier League table. And after he bumbled away the Inter Milan managing job, Benitez has been lurking the streets of Liverpool staying just visible enough to the new owners to qualify for trying to squirm his way back into the Anfield hotseat.

• Rehiring Benitez would be a dreadful mistake as he has a history of making excuses, blaming the previous owners for the club’s ills the past couple of seasons and falling out with soccer’s grandpa Massimo Moratti at Inter. Benitez took a squad of European Champions and World Club Champions and quit because he said he did not receive the support to revamp. But that’s not an excuse. Really, it’s not. If Liverpool supporters have grown tired of one thing during this descent into mediocrity, it’s excuses, by owners, managers, and players.

• True a roster overhaul is in need as everyone with the exception of Lucas Leiva and Raul Meireles has failed to show improvement in their game over the last 8 months. Club untouchable Steven Gerrard is off the chopping block as is Jamie Carragher who is probably on his way into retirement sooner rather than later. Having pledged their allegiance until now keeper Pepe Reina and striker Fernando Torres may now opt to greener, more ‘with it’ pastures to preserve the prime of their careers.

• The NESV crew could choose to keep Hodgson through the January transfer window so he can stop claiming he is simply managing players from someone else’s team as has over the past few weeks. But the more proactive and necessary approach would be to bring in a new manager and let him or her craft their team so as to avoid a Hodgson-esque, hands up “I didn’t choose these players so I can’t manage them”  company line in six months time.

• Here is a potential list of cadidates that may be considered:
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• Phil Brown: Has a history of overachieving and this could be his chance to step up to the big time. Red headset not included.

• Sam Allardyce: Few players have confessed not enjoying their time under Big Sam. Time for him to finally get a Big Job.

• Kenny Dalglish: The fans’ first choice and club legend deserves consideration even though he has been out of active managing for a few years and his battery mate during his playing years Kevin Keegan has proven stale after being recycled as a manager one too many times. Proceed with caution.

• Carlo Ancelotti: If Chelsea were foolish enough to let him go and if he has excorsized Istanbul 2004 from his memory he would bring the system needed for defensive stability followed by creative offense required at LFC now.

• Martin O’Neill: Persistent overachiever with sub par squads, which is exactly what Liverpool are right now. Give him some money and talent and the possibilities are ripe for success.
• Frank Rijkaard: He’s got the “I’m in touch with the young generation of players” thing going for him plus a stellar record at Barcelona which no one can take away. Hard to argue against that.

• Chris Hughton: His sacking by Newcastle earlier this season was widely regarded as insanity. Hughton brings respect, empathy as a former Tottenham stalwart himself, calm, and confidence which all could translate into stability for the club.

• Owen Coyle: He’s a longshot given the remarkable work he has done in creating the feel-good mojo that is Bolton Wanderers FC these days. Roy Hodgson had the same thing going for him at Fulham before he “just couldn’t turn down a job as big as Liverpool.” Here’s to hoping Coyle avoids that type of mistake and sticks to a good thing when he has it.

• Thoughts? Comments? Any Reds in the crowd? Please feel free to leave your thoughts below!

• Courtesy: Zipsport.com