[morrismasch]

Rik, don't you think Real Madrid offered him a tiny bit more of a wage? Not to mention spending power, an already massive squad and huge fanbase.

Lee, I don't think Rafa's untouchable. Nobody is. I just think he's further down the blame list than other parties, i.e. owners, some players. Many people fail to take the full situation into account, making them think Rafa is entirely to blame and should be sacked immediately. But name a better manager than Rafael Benitez who would take over Liverpool FC in this situation and I'll eat my hat. The likes of Hodgson and McLeish have been discussed, but if a man of Benitez' calibre can't motivate the likes of Gerrard then there's no way either of them can.

[LeeTheRed]

No top manager in their right mind would even consider touching the Liverpool managers position with a barge pole, I agree.

However, I am pretty sure that nobody is in a position to sack the yanks, so this is an unavoidable situation should they continue to refuse to sell the club to someone with the financial backing and commitment we require to progress in todays 'Football Business'.

The players can be moved in with 2 phonecalls. The manager can be replaced in 2 phonecalls. (hypothetically of course)

So which do you think is the more likely to happen?

Would a manager experienced with using a smaller budget be more succesful in the transfer market? Would a manager of less European experience have less success in European competition?

This all brings us back to the question, what difference would a change of ownership make to the players themselves? They still get paid the same amount of money on lengthy contracts, and are told to play in a particular position week in week out. How will it have a significant impact on their performances?

I think it is fairly obvious that there are too many questions to be answered, and pointing the finger at any one man is unfair. But in todays cut-throat Premiership, as with mega-bucks Chelsea and Manchester City, and less rich clubs such as Bolton or West Ham, it usually does come down to the manager.

I believe that you live and die by your own actions and decisions, by how you perform your own tasks, and pin-pointing others failings only hides your own inadequacies.

Do I want Rafa El Gafa sacked? No.
Is he the right man for the job? Maybe not.

I suppose only time will tell.

[morrismasch]

Well summed up, Lee, although I'd like to clarify that the fact that other teams are "cut-throat", and sacking their managers, doesn't mean it's the way forward. The two most successful teams in Premiership history are those who have stuck by their managers. I'm sure you weren't disagreeing, but am just clarifying.

I'm quite happy to play the waiting game (although I wish the season would hurry up and end!).

[Rik]

No argument from me Lee.

Maybe i should think before i post especially after watching the team give another baffling performance.

Regarding Madrid,
If and its a big if, rafa did take the job, he knows what pressure he is under straight away. I fully expect Madrid to sack their manager at the end of season, even if they win La Liga, they wanted Champions League glory and they are out, so if Rafa goes there, its exactly the same for him, win it and you stay, lose and you go. He does not work under those expectations at Liverpool.............never will but Right now, he's getting away with murder at Liverpool.
I dont like to see teams sack their managers every season, its not a good situation either but the situation we are in this season keeps going from bad to worse and IMO it stops with the manager.

Regarding who could do better, we will never know, but i would bet a small fortune that if Jose had the same squad of players, we would be a lot closer to the top of the league than we are at the moment, and still in the Champions League

[Redsmithy]

It is correct Rafa is not totally to blame. I will even go as far to say he has done well with Liverpool.He has moved us on from a very unattractive brand of football. and i certainly have not questioned his loyalty.
I dont want to see him sacked but neither do I want him as manager at the club after the summer. Ok he hasnt had the transfer budget of some clubs this season, but over his tenure he has had plenty to build a squad to challenge on all fronts.
I feel his positive aquistions have been more than balanced out with a whole heap of shit.
The players have not reacted to his rallying call and request for improvement and they look less and less to have an idea of what they are supposed to be doing out there. For me enough is enough..... in fact it is too much i think he should have gone sooner. But it is likely we will beat Man utd and evrything will be forgotton.
Fact of the matter is there is very little that can be done to change the issues with the owners, other than embarrass ourselves by all buying green and gold scarves etc.... who ever is in charge will get the same resources offered to them, it is just a question whether the current management team can do better with those resources than anyone else.
Mcleish couldnt cope with Liverpool, it is far too big for him.
Hodgson - a step backward.
o`neil, hiddink, mouriniho would be welcome choices..... whether we could attract them or not is a different story.
Just some things to consider : if Rafa had not won the champions league (with a largely inherited squad ) would there still be this level of faith ?
8 months ago if somebody had said that Lucas Leiva had more minutes of football than any other player and has probably been the most consistant would we have believed them. ?

[LeeTheRed]

if somebody had said that Lucas Leiva had more minutes of football than any other player and has probably been the most consistant would we have believed them. ?

We all know that Rafa has a level of Stubbornness, but please do not let that reflect on Lucas. He has without doubt been only second to Pepe in the most consistent performers this season and deserves his own plaudits.

I just noticed that Guus Hiddink has withdrawn from the Ivory Coast role following the close of his Russia contract on June 30th. Just thought I would mention this as I previously mentioned he had took the job.