by account deleted by request » Sun Mar 28, 2010 3:09 am
28/03/10
AT SOME point during the next six weeks, Liverpool will hold one of the most important board meetings in their history.
Item one on the agenda will be 'Operation Jose'.
If, as expected, Rafa Benitez leaves this summer, Liverpool officials know who their players want leading them next season.
They realise the only way to retain Fernando Torres' services is ensure there are fundamental changes at every level at Anfield.
Even Steven Gerrard, whose inclination is to stay at Anfield, may find he's lacking the motivation to return to Merseyside after the World Cup if he's returning to the same, utterly deflated club.
With Real Madrid, Juventus and even Manchester City thought to be trailing Benitez, the appointment of Liverpool's No 1 managerial target, Jose Mourinho, would utterly change the mood.
For that to happen, Liverpool not only need a change of ownership but they must appeal to Mourinho's heart as much as his head. It says much about the shambolic nature of the club that the identity of the men tasked with making such an approach to 'The Special One' isn't even known yet.
Whether the next board is led by current managing director Christian Purslow, assisted by the Rhone Group's debt reduction, or Indian Subrata Roy, the boss of business group Sahara, who is still understood to be considering a full buy-out, they'll be under no illusions about the mess Liverpool are in. They must sweep up the debris not only of a dismal era of American rule, but a potentially catastrophic season which has left Gerrard, Torres and every Liverpool supporter screaming in exasperation for a sense of purpose and direction.
Without investment, the arrival of Mourinho is little more than a pipedream, especially as he's coveted by so many others.
But the ray of hope is Mourinho's admiration for the club.
Respect
He craved the Anfield hotseat when he left Porto in 2004, making his availability known to the Merseysiders' prior to joining Chelsea.
The Inter Milan boss's respect for Liverpool history was well known in Anfield circles. Club officials were even informed his mobile phone carried the crest of the Liver Bird.
But Valencia's Benitez was already on the radar. As Houllier's tenure disintegrated and Benitez discreetly made it known an Anfield approach would yield a positive response, Mourinho headed to Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool will pray for similar interest from the Inter Milan boss this time.
If they fail to lure Mourinho, Kop fans will be concerned about the calibre of manager they'll end up with.
Of similar pedigree is England boss Fabio Capello, but he's already committed himself to the Three Lions until the next Euro Championships.
Another who was ruled out swiftly in 2004, despite persistent speculation, was Martin O'Neill.
O'Neill has an impressive track record of steadily improving every team he manages.
The Irishman was never genuinely considered as a replacement for Houllier because there was a perception, strongly denied by the Aston Villa boss, he'd been touting himself for the job.
His reputation has improved further in the last six years, but whether his arrival would appease Torres is debatable.
If Liverpool believe retaining a Spanish influence is important, not least as it will save money on dismissing much of Benitez's backroom staff, they could look to Barcelona's Pep Guardiola.
Guardiola has just a year left on his contract and is believed to fancy a fresh challenge abroad at some point. He's already been touted as a potential successor to Sir Alex Ferguson. But it would demand a huge leap of faith to think he'd abandon what many perceive as the perfect footballing side to rebuild a disjointed Liverpool.
His predecessor at Barcelona, Frank Rijkaard, would certainly transform Liverpool's style of play after two eras of defensive, counter-attacking football.
Rijkaard is at Galatasaray and would surely leave Turkey for the chance to lead The Kop.
Iconic
Liverpool's fall-back option, inevitably, is the sentimental return to the dug-out of Kenny Dalglish. In his favour is his iconic status, his ability to unite what has become a divided fanbase, and the fact, as an existing employee, he'd be the cheapest option.
Should Liverpool wish to return to their British tradition of management, the man of the moment is Fulham's Roy Hodgson.
Hodgson's stock has risen due to his achievements at Craven Cottage and he would certainly be perceived as a safe pair of hands at Anfield.
He might represent an ideal short-term option, steadying the ship and restoring a sense of normality to Anfield.
Whether he'd appease those sections of The Kop who are adamant Benitez deserves one more season is another matter.
The truth is, beyond Mourinho, Liverpool's options vary between the risky, the unfashionable and the downright unpalatable.
After canvassing opinion across the club, the Liverpool board already know the consequences of not having a Plan B.
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A few names to contemplate there:- Mourinho/Guardiola/ Rijkaard/Dalglish/ Hodgson
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