Liverpool FC - Contenders For The Job >>> Champions' League Qualification Is Not Good Enough Any More!
Liverpool will have no shortage of contenders to replace manager Gerard Houllier, who left the club on Monday.
Chairman David Moores and chief executive Rick Parry have to decide whether to bring in another coach from overseas or appoint an English manager.
Parry has insisted the new manager must have a track record of winning trophies and make the Anfield club a title contender next season.
CONTENDERS
>>> Alan Curbishley, Charlton
Curbishley is reportedly on the Liverpool board's shortlist to replace Houllier.
The former West Ham and Aston Villa midfielder is the Premiership's second-longest serving manager after Sir Alex Ferguson.
Like Houllier, Curbishley was initially a joint-manager, in his case alongside Steve Gritt from 1991. But he has been in solo charge at Charlton since 1995.
The Charlton boss has made few mistakes in the transfer market and has a good track record of nurturing young players, notably Scott Parker, who moved to Chelsea midway through last season.
Last February Curbishley agreed a three-and-a-half-year extension to his contract - a deal which expires in 2007 - though reportedly there is a release clause that Charlton could not stand in his way if Liverpool opted to make an approach.
CF: I think out of these 4 contenders, Alan for me, is the favourite. I don't think he can take Charlton any further - there are too many better side above them for them to qualify for the Champions' League etc.
>>> Rafael Benitez, Valencia
Benitez has enjoyed unprecedented success since taking over the Primera Liga club three years ago.
In his first season in charge he led the club to the Spanish title, the first time they had won the Primera Liga in 30 years.
This season Benitez's side won the Spanish title again and last week Valencia claimed an impressive double, beating Marseille 2-0 in Gothenburg to win the Uefa Cup.
CF: I don't think he will leave Valencia - I think, especially after winning the UEFA Cup, he would like to take Valencia all the way in the Champons' League. I can't see him swap a Valencia side that are champions of Spain above Real Madrid and Barcelona and UEFA cup holders for Liverpool who struggled to get into the Champions' League and are not even close to English champions Arsenal.
>>> Jose Mourinho, Porto
Porto coach Jose Mourinho is the most wanted man in European football.
Linked with a host of top clubs, including Chelsea and Real Madrid, Mourinho has guided Porto to their first European Cup final since 1987.
Last season Mourinho led Porto to a domestic league and cup double as well a Uefa Cup final victory over Celtic.
The Portuguese league was won weeks ago, while Porto also reached the Portuguese Cup final, only to lose to Benfica.
CF: He is heading to Stamford Bridge - no doubt! But what about Claudio Ranieri as the new manager? I think that would be a great choice.
>>> Martin O'Neill, Celtic
O'Neill has enjoyed phenomenal success in his four years in Glasgow, most notably guiding the club to the Uefa Cup final last season.
This season Celtic romped away with the Scottish league, beat Dunfermline on Saturday in the Scottish Cup to clinch the double, and the club also reached the Uefa Cup quarter-finals.
CF: I think again he would relish the chance to manage in the Premiership again but I think he will stay in Scotland for at least one more season to prove himself in Europe with Celtic in the Champions' League. And I think his prefered choice would actually be Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson retires.
Whoever they finally pick - will have to bring instant success and 'Kop' with the pressure.
I reckon the best two managers they could get would be
Terry Veneables
or Glenn Hoddle
hehehe (sarcastically)
What great managers they are, think about it, they're free
Re: Kop managers
Rumours have it Dave Bassett is a dead cert for the job!
Quote:And I think his prefered choice would actually be Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson retires
Not a chance. O'Neill quit Norwich due to interference from his chairman, and threatened to do the same when Leicester's chief executive Barrie Pierpoint tried to mount a takeover bid at the club. In the end he forced Pierpoint out of Leicester because he wouldn't let O'Neill have full control of the football club. Martin O'Neill wouldn't tolerate the situation at Man Utd especially if Ferguson moved upstairs on to the board of directors which is why reports linking him with Chelsea or Man Utd are ridiculous. While I'm not saying he will leave Celtic this summer, it's more likely he'd choose Liverpool than the other two.
Re: And the fans!
Of course - but we wouldn't have voted against them in quite the numbers we did had O'Neill not pledged his support to George & Elsom! I do think Liverpool should try and lure him away from Celtic because in my opinion there are no better managers out there.
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