yuriska

Borini was around £11m (€13.3m) AS Roma Link So assuming (big if) shanklyn is right then we'll be spending already £26m and have only recouped £1m for Dirk. so around £5m left in the kitty. Maybe that's were the dempsey for 5m has come from.....

13.3 million euros which is around £10.9m in 3 equal installments with an extra 1m euros related to sporting clauses (not released, but my assumptions is CL qualification) Edit: Not bad for 2-3 weeks work - they only just fully bought him for 10m euros and now have made 3.3m profit

Except one of our only defeats at pelanties was at the hands of Hodgson.

RIP Miki YNWA

Whelan urges Moses to stay Wigan chairman accuses Chelsea of 'taking the Mickey' "Chelsea would need to get realistic before we would even listen to them," the Wigan chairman told ESPN. "They made a bid at 6pm last night and we turned it down flat. "Roberto Martinez has brought this player on and he needs at least another year with Roberto to become a top player. "We have offered him a new contract but it seems the agent, more than the player, wants to move him on - at least that is the impression we are getting. "It cannot be for the player's good. Victor Moses needs another year or two before moving to a club like Chelsea. "He needs games and he won't be first choice at Chelsea, I wouldn't have thought. "We don't need to sell him with 12 months to go on his contract because he is under 24 so wouldn't be going on a free transfer. "Ideally we would like him to sign a new contract, or a club like Chelsea would have to be realistic. "At the moment, they are taking the Mickey with the bid they've made."

All I wanna say is that They don't really care about Cups All I wanna say is that They don't really care about Cups Tell me what has become of my club Am I invisible because you ignore me? Your proclamation promised me success, now I'm tired of bein' the victim of shame They're throwing me in a class with a bad game I can't believe this is the club from which I came You know I really do hate to say it FSG and Ayra don't wanna see But if Shankly was livin' He wouldn't let this be, no, no Skin head, dead head Everybody gone bad Situation, speculation Everybody litigation Beat us, bash us You can never break us Hit us, kick us You can never get us All I wanna say is that They don't really care about Cups All I wanna say is that They don't really care about Cups

I think he should have danced a bit more and avoided the subject completely.

This will be the last I will write/say on this, but here are quotes from the horses mouth: “The idea is rather than one person being responsible for all the elements Damien’s role took on, we will divide up the responsibilities,” Ayre said. “We will have a slightly different structure so there will be two or three positions within that. Running a big football club is a big challenge. It’s evident we need to focus on each area with a specialist who will deliver value in each area.” “I wouldn’t go as far as to say the manager’s job will only be a training ground role but absolutely the idea is to create a structure so that the manager doesn’t need to focus on too much else. “You want the manager to be focused on getting the best out of his team. But what it absolutely isn’t about is bringing players in without the manager’s input. “In the past a manager would be going to look at 20 or 30 different games just to find one player. Whereas with the right structure someone lines all of that up and the manager is just going to the final interview. “We are trying to create as much resource and expertise in all the areas that serve the manager and the team rather than having one or two people trying to achieve everything. We not looking to copy any other club. It will have Liverpool’s own stamp and structure on it.” “What’s important is we’ve got the right structure to run the club in the right way. One of the announcements we will make in the next week or so will be about someone working with me to continue delivering the important revenue streams. “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. “The Carling Cup and The FA Cup don’t generate the revenue and the success that is needed to keep investing. If you want to be successful, you have got to keep investing. People don’t want to hear that football is a business “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. “For the owners it’s been a process of bedding in, understanding and reviewing the entire structure of the business. We hope the people who come in as part of this new plan are there for the long term. What’s coming together now we believe is the way forward.” Echo - New Structure at Liverpool

meh. He'll be my manager when I see the scarf above his head but until then you can colour me unimpressed. I would've been excited with LVG as DoF or Txiki or any significant name - but to replace Kenny with Rodgers and his team... well seems to me that FSG talk one thing and do another - all the talk about 'The Structure' and then to fold for an inexperienced manager..... tell me, what's different to Rodgers and his backroom team coming in that is different to any other British Manager setup? Nothing. Rodgers is still in charge of the transfers. The scouting department will have to answer to him. The MD will sign/negotiate contracts but that happens everywhere else too. It seems that FSG don't know their a*** from their elbow. I'm going out, maybe getting plastered will help. Tomorrow will be a brand new day with a brand (too) new manager that will get my support.

To finish: Managerial Candidates: 1. Brendan Rodgers – Swansea Manager – New Manager 2. Frank De Boer – Ajax Coach – Confirmed by withdrawing. 3. Jurgen Klopp – Dortmund Coach – Confirmed by withdrawing but speculated that on reduced shortlist. 4. Roberto Martinez – Wigan Manager – Interviewed twice. Speculation that Declined opportunity due to DoF. 5. Andre Villas Boas – No Club – Speculation that rejected. Apparently not on original list, but speculation of initial discussions. 6. Paul Lambert – Norwich Manager – Press speculation. 7. Louis van Gaal – No Club – Main press speculation as Technical Director, apparently wanted to be considered for manager. 8. Pep Guardiola – No Club – Press speculation. Wants a sabbatical of at least a few months. 9. Bert van Marwijk – Holland Coach – Press Speculation. 10. Joachim Löw – Germany Coach – Press Speculation. The rejected or never considered: Fabio Capello – No Club – Not on reduced shortlist - not the 'fit' FSG are looking for. Publicly withdrew after rejection. Is lobbying after the Chelsea job. Didier Deschamps – Marseille Coach – Not on original list, publicly withdrew after initial agent contact. Harry Redknapp – Spurs Manager – Never on list. Rafael Benitez – No Club – Never on list. Speculation that talking to Aston Villa. Director of Football role: 1. Louis van Gaal – Press speculation of favourite for job until Rodgers appointed. 2. Txiki Begiristain – Press speculation of initial discussions. 3. Kenny Dalglish – Speculation that offered job initially as promotion from within. 4. Pep Segura – Speculation that offered part of the role as promotion from within. 5. Gordon Smith – Agent talked to FSG regarding DoF role. No direct talks.

Spat my coffee out on that one!

Current Known or speculated Candidates Managerial/DoF 1. Frank De Boer – Ajax Coach – Confirmed by withdrawing. 2. Brendan Rodgers – Swansea Manager – Confirmed initial approach by withdrawing but speculated that on reduced shortlist. LFC have asked again for permission to talk. 3. Jurgen Klopp – Dortmund Coach – Confirmed by withdrawing but speculated that on reduced shortlist. 4. Roberto Martinez – Wigan Manager – Interviewed twice. Speculation that also talking to Aston Villa. 5. Andre Villas Boas – No Club – Speculation that rejected. Apparently not on original list, but speculation of initial discussions. 6. Paul Lambert – Norwich Manager – Press speculation. 7. Louis van Gaal – No Club – Main press speculation as Technical Director, apparently wants to be considered for manager. 8. Pep Guardiola – No Club – Press speculation. Wants a sabbatical of at least a few months. 9. Bert van Marwijk – Holland Coach – Press Speculation. 10. Joachim Löw – Germany Coach – Press Speculation. The rejected or never considered: Fabio Capello – No Club – Not on reduced shortlist - not the 'fit' FSG are looking for. Publicly withdrew after rejection. Is lobbying after the Chelsea job. Didier Deschamps – Marseille Coach – Not on original list, publicly withdrew after initial agent contact. Harry Redknapp – Spurs Manager – Never on list. Rafael Benitez – No Club – Never on list. Speculation that talking to Aston Villa. Director of Football role: 1. Louis van Gaal – Press speculation of offer of job. 2. Txiki Begiristain – Press speculation of initial discussions. 3. Kenny Dalglish – Speculation that offered job initially as promotion from within. 4. Pep Segura – Speculation that offered part of the role as promotion from within.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!! He's the only reason I would take Rodgers or Martinez.... For FSG's new structure to be palatable, they need a big name for the DoF role. Otherwise I would rather they go down the traditional manager route.

Because now he will have a crack at the champions league. Klopp's aim is to usurp Bayern's place at the top - so keep winning the league and do better than them in the CL. So that project is still ongoing. maybe in two to three years he will want to move on. Note: Last time that Dortmund won the CL, it was on the back of two years of winning the Bundesliga.

Known or speculated Candidates 1. Frank De Boer – Confirmed by withdrawing. Ajax Coach. 2. Brendan Rodgers – Confirmed by withdrawing but speculated that on reduced shortlist. Swansea Manager 3. Jurgen Klopp – Confirmed by withdrawing but speculated that on reduced shortlist. Dortmund Coach 4. Roberto Martinez – Interviewed and has informal offer, talks to resume on Tuesday. Wigan Manager 5. Andre Villas Boas – Speculation that rejected. Apparently not on original list, but speculation of initial discussions. Available 6. Paul Lambert – Press speculation. Norwich Manager 7. Louis van Gaal - Press speculation - but as Technical Director, apparently wants to be considered for manager. Available 8. Pep Guardiola – Press speculation. Wants a sabbatical of at least a few months. 9. Bert van Marwijk - Press Speculation. Holland Coach. 10. Joachim Löw - Press Speculation. Germany Coach. The rejected or never considered: Fabio Capello - Not on reduced shortlist - not the 'fit' FSG are looking for. Publicly withdrew after rejection. Available and is lobbying after the Chelsea job. Didier Deschamps - Not on original list, publicly withdrew after initial agent contact. Marseille Coach. Harry Redknapp - Never on list. Spurs Manager. Rafael Benitez - Never on list. Available and talking to Aston Villa.

I would have Benitez with this squad no problem. We saw what Hodgson did with the two of the aforementioned three and since then AVB or Di Matteo couldn't get the best out of Torres, so definitely , yep, Benitez with this squad. However horses for courses and managers for squads and eras so no manager is ever perfect or a squad that can't be improved. Napoli I'm not sure about, but Bilbao - the manager will do well again, Bielsa I have a lot of time for.

I thought Hodgson had buried that misconception. The manager is VERY important.

re: Martinez press conference. i) a refusal, since he's meant to come back from holiday on tuesday from the Caribe for more talks with FSG in London according to Whelan or ii) outright acceptance of FSG's conditions I'm going to assume it's option i).

I just a horrible, horrible thought: Rodgers as manager. Martinez as DoF

Known or speculated Candidates 1. Frank De Boer – Confirmed by withdrawing 2. Brendan Rodgers – Confirmed by withdrawing but speculated that still on shortlist. 3. Jurgen Klopp – Confirmed by withdrawing but speculated that still on shortlist. 4. Roberto Martinez – Interviewed and has informal offer 5. Andre Villas Boas – Speculation that rejected. Apparently not on original list, but speculation of initial discussions. 6. Paul Lambert – Press speculation 7. Louis van Gaal - Press speculation - but as Technical Director 8. Pep Guardiola – Press speculation 9. Bert van Marwijk - Press Speculation 10. Joachim Löw - Press Speculation The rejected or never considered: Fabio Capello - Not on reduced shortlist - not the 'fit' FSG are looking for. Publicly withdrew after rejection. Didier Deschamps - Not on original list, publicly withdrew after initial agent contact. Harry Redknapp - Never on list. Rafael Benitez - Never on list.

I think there are two significant things to look out for: a) If FSG are fixed on their Director of Football+ model that segregates all the risk into different people so that the club can continually make progress then: It makes sense to approach a young coach that you can bin off if it doesn't work as long as you have a strong long-term DoF. From what we have heard so far from speculation this appears the reason to approach de Boer, Klopp, Martinez, Villas Boas, Rodgers and Lambert. The leak about approaching van Gaal as technical director, as well as the ignoring of Rafa who is known to be controlling reinforces this view. However it does appear that most managers want full control. Martinez wants control over all football matters, Villas Boas wanted a 'solid project', Rodgers had preliminary discussions were it was discussed the selling of certain players, Capello talked himself into the list only to then talk himself out of it as he is also a controlling manager, and it has gone quiet on van Gaal as he declared that he still wanted to manage and he's as controlling as they come. With this in mind I think they went for Martinez as they thought that this would be too much of a carrot that he would accept the restrictions the new system will be in place. The wording in the release is that they have made an offer and Martinez has agreed to consider it. But the significant thing will be the DoF. Henry: 'Bob, we like the attaking football and we think that you could do great things with us.' Martinez: 'Thanks John. However I'll need full control - transfers, reserves, academy, etc.' Henry: 'Sorry Bob, but it needs to be in this new system we're putting together - we won't have it any other way. However we really want you, and are prepared to offer you the contract now.' Martinez: 'I understand John, but I want full control, that's the way I've always worked.' Henry: 'Well we really want you, but only in part of our system. Please consider this, because we are not shifting our strategy.' Martinez: 'All right John, I'll consider it.' and b) If they find out that all the mangers want control and they can't find a replacement manager in their new system - will they re-start all the applications - i.e. look seriously at managers such as Rafa, Capello, van Gaal or will they just give in to Martinez? In which case they're muppets.

Known or speculated Candidates 1. Frank De Boer – Confirmed by withdrawing 2. Brendan Rodgers – Confirmed by withdrawing but speculated that still on shortlist. 3. Jurgen Klopp – Confirmed by withdrawing 4. Roberto Martinez – Interviewed 5. Andre Villas Boas – Speculation that rejected. Apparently not on original list, but speculation of initial discussions. 6. Paul Lambert – Press speculation 7. Louis van Gaal - Press speculation - but as Technical Director 8. Pep Guardiola – Press speculation 9. Rafael Benitez - ITK speculation 10. ? The rejected or never considered: Fabio Capello - Not on reduced shortlist - not the 'fit' FSG are looking for. Publicly withdrew after rejection. Didier Deschamps - Not on original list, publicly withdrew after initial agent contact. Harry Redknapp - Never on list.

What now for ‘The Dirty Dozen’? 1. Frank De Boer – Confirmed by withdrawing 2. Brendan Rodgers – Confirmed by withdrawing but still in with a shout 3. Jurgen Klopp – Confirmed by withdrawing 4. Roberto Martinez – Confirmed by Whelan and on shortlist 5. Pep Guardiola – Press speculation 6. Paul Lambert – Press speculation 7. Louis van Gaal - Press speculation - but as Technical Director 8. ? 9. ? The rejected or never considered: 10. Fabio Capello - Not on reduced shortlist - not the 'fit' FSG are looking for (but maybe one of the dozen being considered?) 11. Andre Villas Boas – Rejected but not on original list (but maybe one of the dozen being considered?) 12. Didier Deschamps - Not on original list (but maybe one of the dozen being considered?) Harry Redknapp - Not on list - not the 'fit' FSG are looking for

I've read that here in the forum, but not seen/heard it first hand. Where did Ayre confirm/leak Capello and Guardiola? Probably hard to find though as he seems to have been on a lot of programs after Kenny was sacked.

Interesting, I thought van Gaal was muted for the DoF role. Who has mentioned Rangwick?