Posted May 29, 2012 by Footie Crisis in Uncategorized. Leave a Comment

It’s been a rapid two years since Liverpool FC was taken over by Fenway Sports Group. In that two years, there has been unprecedented upheaval at the club both on and off the pitch.

Deadwood has been cast adrift at a rate that seems unbelievable considering the slow rot that took over the club since Kenny Dalglish left the first time.

For four years under Rafa Benitez, the glory days seemed to have returned. Liverpool was, despite its slim revenues, the number one ranked team in Europe. That, at one point two years ago, seemed to be as far in the memory as Shankly’s first league triumph.

The removal of the poisonous cretins Tom Hicks and George Gillett allowed a slim ray of sunshine to break through the clouds and shine down on the once hallowed turf of Anfield.

Descending toward the earth on that bright light was John Henry, Tom Werner and the rest of the FSG gang. From the off, not without justification, ‘The Americans’ were met with superstition by many.

The Glazers, Randy Lerner and Messrs Hicks and Gillett have all irked the fans of their respective clubs with their absent ownership and money sucking approach to the game.

This label, however, I feel to be completely undeserved of FSG. In what can only be described as a 300 word Brain Fart . Mark Lawrenson ranted that FSG’s unwillingness to appoint a new manager even before June is detracting from the clubs ambitions and diminishing their reputation world-wide.

Lawrenson splutters: “I can’t believe they are doing it so publicly. They have basically let everyone know who is on their ­short-list and who they want to interview.”

What utter tosh. If Lawrenson can provide me with any quote from ‘The Americans’ to do with appointing a new manager I will chow down on my own hat as if it were made out of delicious cake.

Worryingly, the cross analysis in the press of how FSG are handling the manager search has reached bull shit levels so high that James Murdoch himself would nod approvingly.

One day we may look back upon this ‘disastrous’ and ‘public’ affair and refer to it as the great misconception. Contrary to popular belief, Henry and co have not gone public in their search.

Disappointingly, the most public protagonist in this whole affair is Julian Assange wannabe Dave Whelan. The loud-mouthed Wiganer has been on speed dial to every cheap-story journo in the country.

WhelanLeaks has kept the whole country abreast of every development he can perceive from his pie-based tower to do with prospective Reds boss Roberto Martinez.

Not only is his blabber-mouthing unhelpful to Martinez both at present and should he choose to stay at the Latics, it also adds to the storm-in-a-tea-cup that is the tenuously xenophobic reaction to FSG’s pursuits of a manager.

Another Lawro belter, which seems standard splurge for any MotD pundit was: “ I know Liverpool’s owners are going about the search for a new manager the American way, but they’ve got it wrong.”

Whatever ‘The American Way’ is, I’m sure Lawrenson doesn’t understand it. From an outsider’s viewpoint, all I see are the following facts:

Liverpool have performed poorly for the last two seasons as a whole.

Liverpool have spent a considerable sum of money, enough to challenge for a Champions League spot at least.

The owners originally wanted a young manager but felt pressured by fans to appoint Dalglish.

They’ve taken two decisive steps in replacing Hodgson and Dalglish.

They’re currently being quiet, patient and sounding out somebody they feel will truly fit their model in the long term.

All the second-guessing and rumour mongering across the back-pages has somehow mutated into accepted truths about FSG.

The fact that they have come in for so much stick from fans and press alike before they have even taken two weeks to replace Dalglish has been baffling.

Their obvious preference for a young and exciting manager to create a project with seems to me the correct path to go.

I fail to see any issues, with most of the players (current squad and potential targets) about to play at the European Championships, in taking our time to appoint a manager. It simply isn’t as urgent as some would make out.

A cynic may suggest that it’s no coincidence the two week long search is poised to end as the Euros start, dulling the focus on any new man.

In summary, I feel that the frothing at the mouth and faux bafflement at Liverpool FC’s management search is irksome and short sighted.

Whether it be Brendan Rodgers, Roberto Martinez or Ron Atkinson, FSG have gone down the correct channels and made as little impact as possible on their end.

The nonsense surrounding the search has at its eye just one man; Dave Whelan. Once this untactful gossiper gets his satisfaction only then can we sit down and chew over the facts. Until then, take what you read with a pinch of salt and thank the baby Jesus that it isn’t you getting the job.

By Chris Severs