Rafa the man?

It's still uncertain who will be sat in the seat of the home dugout in Anfield next season. Since Dalglish's dismissal, managers such as Pep Guardiola to Roberto Martinez have been linked with the vacant Liverpool job. More recently there have been reports suggesting ex-Chelsea boss, Andre Villas-Boas is set to have an interview with the Liverpool owners. Others propose Rafa is the favorite to take charge of the reds.

The Spaniard, who managed Liverpool from 2004 to 2010 has been linked heavily with an Anfield return.  During an interview with the BBC in February 2011, Rafa made it clear that he would love to return to manage Liverpool.

Rafa lifts the Champions
League trophy in 2005.

"To be manager of Liverpool Football Club, it's a dream," said Benitez. "If you said to me, in the future would you like to be manager [of LFC], for sure." (you can watch the rest of the video here.)

Despite ending his managerial career with the reds on a low, Rafa brought a lot of success to the club and left behind his own legacy. Benitez took charge in June 2004 after Houllier's reign came to an end. He was brought in by the current Anfield owner, David Moores on the back of La Liga and UEFA Cup triumph with Valencia.
In his first season with the reds, Rafa led the reds to the Champions League final where they completed 'the miracle of Istanbul' against a seemingly unbeatable AC Milan. The following four seasons saw reds win the FA Cup, reach another Champions League final and come the closest Liverpool have come to winning the Premier League finishing second to Manchester United in 08-09 when he delivered his famous 'facts' speech, a lot of which came during a political battle with 'cowboy' owners George Gillet and Tom Hicks.
 Despite the troubles the Madrid born manager brought in players which included Mascherano, Alonso, Agger, Skrtel, Reina, Lucas and Torres. All of which were or are vital to the first team.

It may be unclear who will end up getting the Liverpool job, but it's clear Rafael Benitez has unfinished business and surely deserves the chance to do so. Or is that too sentimental? Would it work second time round?

Why? Is fourth that important?

Liverpool's season was deemed overall very poor. Well maybe from the view of a multi-million pound businessman who couldn't earn back some of the money he invested into the club last summer. Obviously, football is no longer a game and is a business, so the failure to finish 4th is dissatisfying season no matter how many other trophies you win. With this, brings impatience. FSG failed to be patient with Dalglish and weren’t willing to take the chance that he’d bring success the following season. They felt, like many big club owners now, that 8th place is quite simply, not good enough.

Don't get me wrong, 8th place is a position Liverpool should never be finishing. But only around year and a half ago, Liverpool were out of both Cup competitions, heading towards the Relegation zone and at one point just a day from administration. A 3-1 loss away to Blackburn sealed Hodgson's fate and Dalglish was soon brought in for the remainder of the season. After turning our season around with wins over United (3-1), Chelsea (1-0), City (3-0) and Newcastle (3-0), FSG had only one choice for their new manager, and that, partly due to pressure from the majority of fans, was King Kenny Dalglish.

£18million Downing failed
to make an impact during
 his first season for the reds.

During the summer, Kenny encouraged John Henry to spend big on Players such as Henderson, Downing and Coates who overall made a poor first impression at Anfield. Countless home draws mounted to the frustration surrounding the club and despite taking the Reds to Wembley 3 times, returning Silverware and European football to Liverpool, a disappointing League position made Dalglish another victim of Liverpool's recent sackings. It's also thought that the handling of the Suarez case was another major factor in the dismissal of Kenny as he backed the Uruguayan striker who was later found guilty of racism towards United Left Back, Patrice Evra. 

Liverpool's managing director, Ian Ayre spoke of the reasoning behind Kenny's dismissal: "It was a very simple decision based on results, and did we believe that was going to change?  To be 37 points off the winner, 17 points off fourth, 14 losses. Winning the FA Cup wouldn't have made any difference - it was never about an individual result. It was always about taking a review of the season in full. But you have got to have both. You have got to have continued progress in the league. If you don't do well in the league and you don't get into the Champions League, you are writing cheques from your own pocket, aren't you?

That is not a sustainable way going forward.I agree you can't keep changing managers and as long as what you expect in terms of moving forwards is achieved, of course you give that person the time and support they need. But there is a difference between that and failure. If you massively get it wrong then of course you have to make that change. You expect targets to be achieved. "

Not enough - Carling Cup Victory wasn't enough for
Liverpool owner John Henry (right)

Despite speaking of his respect towards Dalglish, Liverpool's owner John Henry felt the correct decision would be to sack Dalglish. He went on to say, "He is in many ways the heart and soul of the club, He personifies everything that is good about Liverpool Football Club. He has always put the club and its supporters first. Kenny will always be a part of the family at Anfield.”

The Clash in mindset and philosophy was indicated between Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish during a remark made by Dalglish soon after his dismissal, “Of course I am disappointed with results in the league, but I would not have swapped the Carling Cup win for anything as I know how much it meant to our fans and the club to be back winning trophies.’’

I won't ever forget that FSG saved Liverpool FC, but the sacking of Dalglish reminds us all that their aim most importantly is to make money. Not for their love of the club. They didn't get the results that earnt them the money so Dalglish had to go. Personally, I believe if they want that money, then sacking people like Dalglish is the wrong move to make. Let's not take the Chelsea approach, lets give our players and managers time. 

As a great man once said: “LFC exists not to make money, it exists to win trophies and be a source of pride for its supporters. It serves no other purpose.” Which, despite being a hard prospect in football nowadays, should at least be given some thought by John Henry. Dalglish has given more to Liverpool Football Club than Henry ever will, he walks away but he knows he'll never walk alone.

Bye King Kenny, You'll Never Walk Alone

I refuse to say 'sacked' in this. I just don't feel it's a correct term to use when talking about Kenny Dalglish. When I found out that Dalglish had been relieved of his duties I was, like most of us, gutted.

FSG decided to part with Kenny after a disappointing League season despite guiding the reds to two Cup finals and returning to Europe at the first time of asking and bringing major Silverware back to the club for the first time since 2006. There are many suggesting that the handling of the Suarez/Evra case was another major factor in the dismissal of Dalglish. I was hoping like many, that Dalglish was given one more season to bring what is seen as the most important thing in football now: Finishing in the Champions League places. Given long term backing I genuinely believe Dalglish could have achieved fantastic Success.

FSG now have another problem on their hands now, however. After parting with the greatest Liverpool Legend, a man who fans have more patience with than anyone, will have to be replaced. Recent favorites to take charge have been Martinez and AVB, but who would be a suitable man to take the helm?

Martinez - After somehow managing to save relegation destined Wigan, Roberto Martinez is being tipped to be the next Man in charge of the reds. Wouldn't it though, put us in the same Situation as Hodgson. A man who was partly successful at a small club then as soon as they move to a bigger club they fail due to the high expectations. A big favorite but no, please just no.


Villas Boas - Sacked by Chelsea earlier on in the season for a disappointing campaign Andre Villas-Boas is another linked with the available job at Liverpool. It's possible that the players here are more likely to treat him with more respect than the Chelsea players and has some great ideas and tactics. Another favorite, could be successful? 


Rafa - Maybe more of a sentimental option though it's hard to say Rafa's spell in charge was unsuccessful after leading the Reds to 2 Champions League finals, winning 1 of them, lifting the FA cup, finishing second in the league and ranking the best team in Europe at the time. A popular option with the fans, but would it work second time round?


Carragher - It seems that Kop Legend Jamie Carragher is coming to the end of his playing career though he could continue his playing success with Liverpool into a managerial role at Anfield. He's already completed coaching badges and has suggested that he would one day be interested in managing. More unlikely but imagine the possibilities...



Whoever FSG decide to bring we should back. Fans are becoming more and more fickle. A lot of us forget that they saved us from Administration not long ago, abuse isn't necessary.

Dalglish returns to Liverpool v United in the FA Cup

Liverpool cruise to another Chelsea victory

King Kenny leads Liverpool to Carling Cup glory

Kenny backs Suarez in racism row with Evra

Decision already made?

Despite ending on a low, Dalglish is the King and forever will be. There never will be a man like Kenny again. You helped us when we needed it most but when you needed the support sadly you weren't given it.
Thank you, King Kenny. You'll Never Walk Alone.