Liverpool sack Rodgers
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Irishman relieved of his duties after disappointing season
Liverpool F.C have announced that Brendan Rodgers has been sacked from his position of manager of the first team.
"It is with great regret that we announce that Liverpool Football Club have parted ways with manager Brendan Rodgers. We feel that the progress made in the last year has not been sufficient to match up with our goals and visions at this great club. We wish Brendan all the best for the future." said a statement on the club's website.
The 40-year-old only managed a seventh place finish in his first season at the club after joining from Swansea at the start of last season, and after several board discussions, the club ownership have come to the conclusion that firing Rodgers is the best way for the club to move forward.
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Rodgers reacts to a Liverpool defeat
Liverpool got off to their worst league start in 50 years under the former Swans boss, as he struggled to grind out results with his possession-based system. Despite improving in the second half of the season after the signings of Brazilian wonderkid Phillipe Coutinho and Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge, John Henry and the Fenway Sports Group have come to the conclusion that it was not enough to save Rodgers' job.
With former candidate Roberto Martinez joining Liverpool's rivals on the other side of Stanley Park and fan favourite Rafa Benitez taking on the job at Napoli earlier in the summer, Liverpool's options seem limited at the moment.
Sources tell us that their current #1 choice is Ajax coach Frank de Boer. The Dutchman turned down the Reds when they came knocking last summer saying that he wanted to stay at Ajax. But since then, de Boer has indicated his willingness to leave the Amsterdam ArenA, and is likely to accept a second approach from the Merseysiders.
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de Boer would most likely accept a second approach from Liverpool
High on their list is also Saints manager Mauricio Pocchettino. The Argentine joined Southampton last season as a relative unknown, following the sacking of Nigel Adkins. But he has gained plaudits for his side's high pressing football. Whether Southampton would be willing to allow their talented manager leave easily, is another question. Another option for John Henry would be Danish legend Michael Laudrup. Laudrup succeeded Rodgers at Swansa last season, and lead the Welsh club to the Capital One Cup. However, at present he is a free agent, after a bitter stand-off between Laudrup's agent and chairman Jenkins.
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Liverpool could also turn to Saints boss Pocchettino
For Liverpool fans, it seems to be yet another season of change and frustration as their new manager will require time to stamp his philosophies on the team. And amidst this instability, the future of star striker Luis Suarez becomes unclear, and with reported interest from Barcelona and the lack of Champions League football for Liverpool for the next 12 months making his departure a realistic possibility.
