by anfieldadorer » Tue May 25, 2004 11:12 am
The two frontrunners to replace Houllier
May 25 2004, By Ian Doyle Daily Post Staff
JOSE MOURINHO has moved ahead of Rafael Benitez as favourite to become the next manager at Anfield as Liverpool prepare for life after Gerard Houllier.
The Frenchman's six-year association with the club ended yesterday with the widely anticipated announcement they had parted company.
And Mourinho, (right), who is preparing his Porto side for tomorrow's Champions League final against Monaco, has moved to the top of Anfield's shortlist as the Liverpool board narrow their sights in the search for Houllier's successor.
Mourinho has been linked heavily with a move to Chelsea in recent weeks but Liverpool are ready to battle with the Londoners for his signature.
Liverpool cannot compete with the £4million-a-year salary Chelsea are offering, but have been encouraged by Mourinho's con-cern over Roman Abramovich's inclination to involve himself in the purchase of players and his pronouncement he is interested in a role at Anfield.
Benitez, meanwhile, will consider a move to Liverpool if assurances of increased financial backing at Valencia - who he has guided to a Spanish title and UEFA Cup double this season - are not kept.
Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley remains an option, but while Liverpool are admirers of his achievements at The Valley, he is now not a leading contender.
Chief executive Rick Parry insisted the search for a new manager has already started and that quality not nationality is the deciding factor. He said: "We have to determine who is most likely to make us become challengers again. I don't think there will be any shortage in quality contenders wanting to take it on.
"There are attractions in taking on a British manager, but in the end the prime criterion is quality. That's the watchword. We'll think British and we'll think foreign, but we'll pick who we think is best.
"We want to see someone who has got some hunger and some passion for success. But we have got to get it right. It won't be announced this week and it won't be next week, but it will be in good time before the start of the next season.
"It won't be the only criteria. The new manager does not have to have won a title or managed in the Champions League. But track record is going to be important. If you are looking at someone's ability to win trophies, there is some proof they have done it. That clearly helps.
"It is about potential as well and who is most likely to take us towards success and challenging for the championship."
Parry also intimated a possible language barrier would prove prohibitive for any foreign coach coming in, a policy which would favour Mourinho who is fluent in English.
"It makes more sense if the manager has a reasonable grasp of English," said Parry. "It's useful in communicating with players.
"It's extraordinarily difficult if you communicate through an interpreter because you inevitably lose some of the passion and spontaneity."
Mourinho had been quoted at the weekend as wanting to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Liverpool legends Bob Paisley and Bill Shankly in leaving his mark in the annals of football management.
"I want people to remember me as one of the all-time great managers," he said. "I want to leave my mark in football history and be remembered like Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Matt Busby.
"I loved the way Liverpool played in the 1970s and 1980s. I loved Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Phil Thompson, Ray Clemence and Ian Rush. Now I want the same success."
Houllier's dismissal will not signal a complete overhaul of the coaching set-up. Phil Thompson has been made caretaker manager, and Parry is keen to maintain local and historical links at Melwood.
"Who in the backroom stays depends on who comes in," he said. "The new manager will have views on who they want to come in, but we would like to keep a Liverpool link. We don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater."
Parry added: "I don't think anyone can say we have been unduly impatient with Gerard. Changing managers every couple of years does not work.
"We aren't going to be setting targets for the new manager by saying we need X by Y. We just want to make sure we are progressing in the right direction. But we have to be moving forwards rather than backwards."
Fcuking classic, mate!!! 
