Liverpool FC Forum

[Bad Bob]

Maybe its an 'affinity' thing...not all these ex-players are going to be any good at the job anyway. Though who's to say the next fella drafted in from 'La Liga' or some other place is going to have the full 'Liverpool FC' thing going on in his remit either, let alone his heart.  Gamble either way...
Yeah, from a professional stand point it don't matter one bit. As long as he's got a Doctorate in this..a diploma in that...or a penchant for being particlarly good at communicating his ideas to the squad. In plain footballers language. Get the job done efficiently, without fuss and eschew any idea of making friends..as long as the players both respect and adhere to the whole concept, so what. After all, its the way our Gaffer works isn't it?

Modern day clubs are not run at the behest of the heart and soul of the community anymore (nor do they have its interests completely in their intended field of vision) - They exist within it, true enough, although its hardly a two-way street...of course there are one or two admirable exceptions, on occasion.  Yet they also represent massive revenue streams commercially, not ALL of which is to the benefit of the locale they serve either. By and large football (in its current form) is a global empire, only vaguely interested in rewarding the whim of the man in the street in all honesty, who's unstinting allegiance is out in the open for all kinds of abuse to befall it. 

But, it is imo a sad indictement of the game that the old ways of 'promoting from within the ranks' appear to be long, long gone...Perhaps that romantic notion can never, ever be taken seriously any more. Maybe it shouldn't be. There are though one or two names that crop up on a regular basis who would offer much to the cause. Still. It will be a shame if their input were overlooked for the sake of profit alone against the kinship of the very people who ensure there is a club there in their midst at all . However tenous that link is to be measured.

Don't get me wrong, Red...I think there could well be a place for Gary Mac among the backroom staff and I suspect he'd make an excellent addition, too.  But, as Rafa's number 2?  I'm not so sure.  Particularly if, like Pako, the new number 2 is expected to take on the task of putting the first team through their paces in training.  That's where I think Saint is spot on: we need to get someone in that understands the science of training/conditioning etc. inside and out.  I doubt Gary Mac (or any ex-player, TBH) is that fella.

[destro]

One chap that would be good as Rafa's assistant would be Paul Jewell!! He's a scouser and loves Liverpool and has a good pedigree in the Premership!

No offence to Jewell or Macca or how much affinity and for sentimental reasons we should not sign ex players to be our assistant manager IMO and others here Saint and Bob.
The game has changed so much we are moving foward as a club we should not go backwards.
I believe they will sort out their differences if not Rafa will already have someone lined up and my guess is he wont be English or Scottish.

Gary Mac is not Scottish hes Scouse    , I would bet my house that who ever he brings in will be Spanish.

I don't think Jewell would agree to that kind of role despite his love of the club, he would rather wait for a managers job to come up. Carlos Queerarse is being mentioned a lot, hope its not him !

[roberto green]

paul jewell doesnt sound to bad

[red37]

Someone clarify what Alex Miller's role at the club is?


Its Ok ive found it.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/miller/

[LFC2007]

1st team coach

[Paul C]

Gutted about Pako, he was the guy that dealt with players on a personal basis and had the relationships with players, Rafa stayed as THE BOSS and the Pako is the talking.

It would be nice to see McLegend back at the club though if Pako did leave

[66-1112520797]

Another Spanish civil war ? 

Bad news that I feel. Hope they can patch it up over some Sangria and a packet of Fortuna or something.

But I agree with what Saint said, if were going to get a new assistant, he needs to have all that sport Science stuff and diploma's behind similar to Pako himself.

That would be a right kick in the nuts also if he went to ManU or Chelsea, surely he'd go back to Spain.

[Pedro Maradona]

Maybe its an 'affinity' thing...not all these ex-players are going to be any good at the job anyway. Though who's to say the next fella drafted in from 'La Liga' or some other place is going to have the full 'Liverpool FC' thing going on in his remit either, let alone his heart.  Gamble either way...
Yeah, from a professional stand point it don't matter one bit. As long as he's got a Doctorate in this..a diploma in that...or a penchant for being particlarly good at communicating his ideas to the squad. In plain footballers language. Get the job done efficiently, without fuss and eschew any idea of making friends..as long as the players both respect and adhere to the whole concept, so what. After all, its the way our Gaffer works isn't it?

Modern day clubs are not run at the behest of the heart and soul of the community anymore (nor do they have its interests completely in their intended field of vision) - They exist within it, true enough, although its hardly a two-way street...of course there are one or two admirable exceptions, on occasion.  Yet they also represent massive revenue streams commercially, not ALL of which is to the benefit of the locale they serve either. By and large football (in its current form) is a global empire, only vaguely interested in rewarding the whim of the man in the street in all honesty, who's unstinting allegiance is out in the open for all kinds of abuse to befall it. 

But, it is imo a sad indictement of the game that the old ways of 'promoting from within the ranks' appear to be long, long gone...Perhaps that romantic notion can never, ever be taken seriously any more. Maybe it shouldn't be. There are though one or two names that crop up on a regular basis who would offer much to the cause. Still. It will be a shame if their input were overlooked for the sake of profit alone against the kinship of the very people who ensure there is a club there in their midst at all . However tenous that link is to be measured.

Finally, a good post amid some utter being posted....
Obviously its a disagreement on methods thats been simmering a while...it happens, now move on and get on with it. get a proper replacement who is up to the job and is on the same wavelength as rafa is.
some of the names mentioned as a replacement on here are hilarious, toshack, lee, jewel, aldridge, queroz, etc...cmon people wise up!! paco was a fitness coach, and he will be replaced by a fitness coach, someone who benitez thinks is up to it. end of story.

[red37]

Piece from the Guardian: 01/09/07

Benítez quietly furious after No2 of 11 years leaves


Rafael Benítez lost the most trusted member of his managerial team yesterday when Pako Ayestarán, his confidant and assistant for the past 11 years, quit after a series of disputes with the Liverpool manager. Liverpool's assistant manager tendered his resignation to Benítez after being confronted over reports linking him with a return to his native Spain.
Although he has not formally severed ties with the club, the 44-year-old Ayestarán will not be on the bench for today's Premier League game at home to Derby County and his departure will be confirmed once outstanding contractual issues have been resolved.

"He said that maybe he would like to leave the club and we are now analysing the situation" was as much as Benítez was prepared to divulge on the matter yesterday, though the depth of his grievance with his friend is acute.
They began collaborating more than a decade ago and their fortunes have risen in tandem, with promotion to the Primera División with Tenerife and two league titles and a Uefa Cup at Valencia before moving to Liverpool in 2004 and extending their successful relationship with Champions League and FA Cup wins.

It is Ayestarán, a qualified fitness coach, who is credited with the rotation policy that has generated both silverware and criticism for Benítez at the Mestalla and Anfield and he has been instrumental in the improved fitness and sports science methods introduced at Liverpool. Charts detailing the exact minutes each player has performed during a season, which line Benítez's office and influence selection policy, are an Ayestarán trademark, along with a man-made hill the duo had constructed at the club's Melwood training ground to improve stamina levels.

His influence is not confined to physical conditioning, however, with the Liverpool assistant manager used as a sounding board for tactical and technical advice by Benítez who, with his team unbeaten and impressive in the Premier League and Champions League qualifiers, admitted the departure came at the worst possible time. "Yes it has," he conceded.

Benítez added: "Eleven years we have worked together but now we must analysis the situation. I know things but the best thing now is to say nothing and wait. I think he will go but I don't think he will be at the game tomorrow."

Ayestarán's resignation is understood to have followed a series of disagreements between the pair, including changes to Liverpool's pre-season training routine as Benítez sought to avoid a repeat of the team's poor start to last season, but reports linking the coach with a return to Valencia this week brought matters to a head after training on Thursday.

Ayestarán had been strongly tipped to take up a director-of-football role at Athletic Bilbao in the summer depending on the outcome of the Basque club's presidential election. The candidate with whom Ayestarán was associated lost, and Benítez believed that would end the uncertainty surrounding his friend and colleague, but he has been dismayed at fresh reports of interest from Valencia.

Benítez opted to confront Ayestarán over the Valencia link on Thursday afternoon and his assistant announced that he no longer wished to work for the club. The Liverpool squad were informed of the development yesterday.

[mungi]

bad news. liked pako. always thought he should try get a gig as first team coach some where. will miss him if he leaves

[lio]

... Bad news that I feel. Hope they can patch it up over some Sangria and a packet of Fortuna or something...

If this already spills out through the front door, guess it's difficult to save the separation.
This is truly a bad happening, timing wise, for me as for quite awhile already we have not got to enjoy the sky high morale in our camp as we are feeling it today, sad .

[account deleted by request]

Surely this is the time for "super Parry" to step in and cast oil on troubled waters, get the two of them together and see if they can find a way to settle their differences. We have had a good start to the season, everything seems to be going great on the field, the last thing we need is off field distractions.

Get it sorted Rick!

[Ola Mr Benitez]

i think its too late..  Pako will end up as a manager in Spain

[kunilson]

yeah we can always count on "super Rick"

i dunno, maybe their disagreements over the last couple of months was noticeable by the players aswell, and his leaving now could be the best thing for us to save any further problems.....point being we dont know whats really happening, all we can do is hope rafa finds a suitable replacement, and wish pako well...

after the derby game there's two weeks till our next game, rafa will be all over this situation like fly on sh1t

[Ciggy]

He's gone.

Thanx Pako and good luck for the future would have liked you to stay but alas its your choice.