by Homebooby » Wed May 16, 2012 7:21 pm
Poor poor poor poor poor decision. I don't think that anyone has argued it was a good season, it wasn't, but Kenny deserved so much better than what he just got. Plain and simple. What I don't understand is in the grand scheme of things what another season would have cost the club to do the right thing by possibly the most loyal servant the club has ever seen who ALWAYS did the right thing by them. One more season and if he hadn't have cut the mustard, none of the fan base would be up in arms like they are now and I doubt that Kenny would have had cause for complaint. If he was successful, then everyone is happy. I do not understand for the life of me why he was offered a 3 yr contract in the first place. This way just leaves a sour taste in the mouths of everyone and makes the owners look like a bunch of tools which I don't think they are.
Personally I have my suspicion that Kenny played hard ball. Based on his comments this weekend about the integrity and class of the owners, I think that he expected to receive their backing. That ties in quite well with the rumors of the back me or fire me comments that were alleged to have been made. I don't think they were planning on firing him, but I think he was on his final string and with restrictions for spending this summer and he pushed them too hard. I can't say I blame him either, but at the same time, perhaps the fiery stubbornness was not the right tactic for them. Terrible terrible unnecessary shame.
As I have said many times, he represented something that Liverpool had lost and that is the reason most here were excited to have him back. I hope hope hope that they find a way of keeping hold of it. Kenny deserves better and should occupy a position at the club similar to the way Bobby Charlton is honored at the club. Anything less than that and the page of history will be turned forever and a lot of fans will never feel the same way about the club again.
As for replacements, now that this decision has been made, FSG have a big decision to make. Take the wrong person here and there'll be hell to pay. I agree with all that this needs to be a big big big name.
Speaking for myself I wanted Rafa to stay for the same reasons I wanted Kenny to stay. I think of all modern managers Rafa displayed a loyalty to and understanding of the club, it's fans and it's heritage that would be lacking in most other managers. I don't think he got the support he needed and I think he has unfinished business too. If I am honest, I found the style of football we played under him too pedestrian and too side to side then back to the keeper and that bothers me. Initially under Kenny we changed all of that and I think we were showing signs of playing the Liverpool way. I wouldn't be disappointed if Rafa came back cos I really like the bloke and I think he got screwed massively at the end, which also was not in keeping with the Liverpool way.
I have said several times that I have an instinct for Martin O'Neill. I think he represents old school methods....trained under Cloughy and seems to be a no-nonsense manager with a talent for making the right changes in a game when needed. I think he gets a lot out of the players he has under him and he doesn't strike me as the type of guy who is totally star struck. Arguably he has never been at a major club and could be considered untested, but he's been seen to make a significant impact at all the clubs he has gone into. We're not a top club at the moment and we need to graft our way to the top with someone credible and not a fly by night.
Rafa is playing to the fans and the heart, but I think O'Neill could be the canny choice here now that a decision has to be made.
I hope with all my heart that this is the right decision in the long term and that we finally move along out of the rut that we are clearly still stuck in at the moment. Kenny deserves to be honored and given a role of importance. Actions to show the respect he deserves rather than the rather hollow words that have graced the news pages this evening.
Eff me, how quickly the world changes....16 months ago Hodgson was in no mans land and we were elated for Kenny....fast forward and he's the manager of England going to the Euros and our boy is out on the street. Just goes to show that saying the right thing at the right time counts for more than we ever would give it credit for. No justice.
Last edited by
Homebooby on Wed May 16, 2012 7:24 pm, edited 2 times in total.