Liverpool FC Forum

[metalhead]

Brilliant article by Ben Smith

Brendan Rodgers: Eloquent boss impresses on Anfield debut
By Ben Smith
BBC Sport Comments (24)
By the time the gospel according to Brendan Rodgers had drawn to a close he was preaching to the converted.

The 39-year-old is all too aware that since the days of Bill Shankly this has not simply been just another job. For better or worse, the people of Liverpool believe it is much more important than that.

At the height of their powers, the great Anfield managers of the past have had the influence of a spiritual leader and for those seeking those qualities in Rodgers, his message must have been a seductive one.

Few Anfield debuts have displayed as much conviction, charisma and confidence. At times he was firm, at others eloquent - it was clear he was alive to the feelings and sensitivities of this unique fan base.

After his commitments with the media were over, he even took time to speak with a group supporters walking around on Anfield on the club's official tour.

At times during his turbulent and ultimately ill-fated reign at Anfield, Roy Hodgson was accused of "not getting" the club or the city, but Rodgers didn't put a foot wrong.

Rodgers was at pains to stress the "door is always open". He has already spoken to captain Steven Gerrard, the pair getting on famously by the new manager's own admission, and attempted to make contact with Jamie Carragher on Wednesday night.

There was an acknowledgement of the qualities he has at his disposal in the current squad, with Rodgers describing Gerrard and Carragher as "Premier League legends" and name-checking Pepe Reina and Craig Bellamy. But while there was praise for the current crop of players, Rodgers hinted at a willingness to add to the squad, with the owners prepared to give the new manager about £30m to spend this summer, plus anything he raises from sales.

"The principles of your game are based on the players you have, but I will look into into seeing if we need to bring anyone in to improve that."

Rodgers lit up a room deep in the bowels of the Main Stand, glowing with an ambition and hunger that will have chimed with the great names of the past whose images surrounded him while he spoke.

There were ringing endorsements from chairman Tom Werner and managing director Ian Ayre, who repeatedly re-emphasised the many qualities that attracted them to Rodgers: youth, vision, a commitment to play attractive, attacking football, a belief in British players and a willingness to work on a budget.

"Brendan's comprehensive football philosophy is perfect aligned with those at the club," owner John W Henry said.

Tom Werner added: "The style of football Brendan is associated with is exactly what we want see at Anfield."

Rodgers neatly negotiated the subject of reported interest in many of his former players at Swansea, turning his answer into a love letter to south Wales. "The only thing I want to say about Swansea is my deepest gratitude for what they have done. It was a very special two years I had there. We created history, it's a sad day to leave."

The question over a reported "gentleman's agreement" with Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins over not recruiting his former players remains unanswered. The coming weeks may provide a more definitive response.

Replacing a living legend is no easy task but Rodgers ensured there was a nod to Kenny Dalglish. "Kenny was the manager here at 34 and resigned at 39. He won three league titles and two FA Cups."

The Northern Irishman will be desperate to replicate that success on the field but in terms of his public demeanour Rodgers is the antithesis of his predecessor. The many PR blunders that damaged Liverpool last season are unlikely to be repeated with a manager who is so engaging in front of the world's media.

Rodgers was firm and assured when the subject of a proposed director of football was raised. Liverpool's owners had spoken with Louis van Gaal but Rodgers admitted his desire for total control of all footballing matters.

The club remain committed to a sporting director structure but without a single person at the apex. Further appointments are expected to be announced in the coming weeks but Rodgers will have the final say.

"If it was a sporting director, that was something I made clear I couldn't work with. What you need is an outstanding team. We will form a technical board that will have four or five people that will decide the way forward."

In the past Swansea players have told friends that he made them feel "like a million dollars" when he walked into the dressing room at the Liberty Stadium.

His first words as manager of Liverpool will have inspired excitement among the fans, he must now enthuse the players in equal measure.

It would be foolhardy to predict great things for any manager based on two fantastic seasons with Swansea and one impressive news conference.

Rodgers knows, perhaps better than anyone, that success does not happen by mistake.

His 20-year coaching career is testament to that above all else.

The hard works begins now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18296948

[Raoul]

Well, I'm excited. Probably mainly because we've finally got someone and the Whelan circus is over, but at least a little because FSG have taken a risk, a punt on a young guy (albeit one with 20 years experience) with real potential. Good on them I say, it is a risk, but not a rash one by any means. I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens next, both in the backroom and amongst the playing staff.

I'm not expecting miracles, but I'm expecting that there was enough last season for Rodgers to build on.

My only real problem is with his name. I'm concerned that Rodgers just doesn't sound exotic enough. Perhaps he could change it to Rodrigues.

[ycsatbjywtbiastkamb]

The point is you don't criticise a manager until they come into your club and have a fair go at things. The comments regarding Martinez and Rodgers from people like this fella with the weird username were nothing short of disgusting.

No doubt he'll go around the board preaching his Liverpool Way mantra as per usual all the while not really following it himself, or when it suits him and his agenda. He wants a career in Politics does that lad, nevermind a builder, he could be Labour's very own Boris Johnson.

what are you on about? i like everyone else have an opinion on who should be the manager of this club, i didnt want rodgers or martinez simply because imo they dont have the experience or the the CV of a liverpool manager, rodgers has managed 1 season in the top flight.
i never said they were $h1te i just said it was too early for them, i said they should go to an everton or a villa first.
obviously the board thought different and i can see why, he is a very impressive character.
as i said his press conference wasnt just good it was almost shankly-esque, he didnt promise anyone anything apart from he will fight with his life for this club and this city and the principles they stand for. thats what people up hear want to hear, we dont want people promising us the earth and we dont want to hear people telling us how special they think they are, we just want someone who says i will give everything for the club. he did that.

[Roger Red Hat]

My only real problem is with his name. I'm concerned that Rodgers just doesn't sound exotic enough. Perhaps he could change it to Rodrigues.

  taxi!

[maguskwt]

Brilliant article by Ben Smith

There was an acknowledgement of the qualities he has at his disposal in the current squad, with Rodgers describing Gerrard and Carragher as "Premier League legends" and name-checking Pepe Reina and Craig Bellamy. But while there was praise for the current crop of players, Rodgers hinted at a willingness to add to the squad, with the owners prepared to give the new manager about £30m to spend this summer, plus anything he raises from sales.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18296948

30 million... our main priority has to be a striker...

[Thommo's perm]

Well, I'm excited. Probably mainly because we've finally got someone and the Whelan circus is over, but at least a little because FSG have taken a risk, a punt on a young guy (albeit one with 20 years experience) with real potential. Good on them I say, it is a risk, but not a rash one by any means. I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens next, both in the backroom and amongst the playing staff.

I'm not expecting miracles, but I'm expecting that there was enough last season for Rodgers to build on.

My only real problem is with his name. I'm concerned that Rodgers just doesn't sound exotic enough. Perhaps he could change it to Rodrigues.

If you say it with a french accent Bren-donn Roe-jurrs it sounds exotic

[stmichael]

My only real problem is with his name.

i blame the parents

[stmichael]

Kenneth Dalglish ‏@kennethdalglish
Congratulations to Brendan and Good Luck to everyone at LFC. Kenny

[Raoul]

Well, I'm excited. Probably mainly because we've finally got someone and the Whelan circus is over, but at least a little because FSG have taken a risk, a punt on a young guy (albeit one with 20 years experience) with real potential. Good on them I say, it is a risk, but not a rash one by any means. I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens next, both in the backroom and amongst the playing staff.

I'm not expecting miracles, but I'm expecting that there was enough last season for Rodgers to build on.

My only real problem is with his name. I'm concerned that Rodgers just doesn't sound exotic enough. Perhaps he could change it to Rodrigues.

If you say it with a french accent Bren-donn Roe-jurrs it sounds exotic

It really, really does! My friend does a great French accent and I just ran it past her. Still doesn't sound like a football manager though, more like a hairdresser...

[metalhead]

The point is you don't criticise a manager until they come into your club and have a fair go at things. The comments regarding Martinez and Rodgers from people like this fella with the weird username were nothing short of disgusting.

No doubt he'll go around the board preaching his Liverpool Way mantra as per usual all the while not really following it himself, or when it suits him and his agenda. He wants a career in Politics does that lad, nevermind a builder, he could be Labour's very own Boris Johnson.

what are you on about? i like everyone else have an opinion on who should be the manager of this club, i didnt want rodgers or martinez simply because imo they dont have the experience or the the CV of a liverpool manager, rodgers has managed 1 season in the top flight.
i never said they were $h1te i just said it was too early for them, i said they should go to an everton or a villa first.
obviously the board thought different and i can see why, he is a very impressive character.
as i said his press conference wasnt just good it was almost shankly-esque, he didnt promise anyone anything apart from he will fight with his life for this club and this city and the principles they stand for. thats what people up hear want to hear, we dont want people promising us the earth and we dont want to hear people telling us how special they think they are, we just want someone who says i will give everything for the club. he did that.

"I'd just like to say, I'm honoured and blessed to be your manager. All I can promise is I'll fight for my life for the club. My family will move to the area and we're really excited about moving to the city of Liverpool, getting to know the football club and the people of Liverpool. I will leave no stone unturned in my quest - and that quest will be relentless - to try and get Liverpool back on the map again as a successful football club."

nuff said

[zarababe]

well i am soooo excited, hugely impressive, grt stature and aura about him.. and he handled the press awesomely.

He has my support and well.. the owners are backing the club to be successful and yuhave to hand it to them ... with grt hope we go forward 

[zarababe]

Kenneth Dalglish ‏@kennethdalglish
Congratulations to Brendan and Good Luck to everyone at LFC. Kenny

Class..

[Benny The Noon]

Kenneth Dalglish ‏@kennethdalglish
Congratulations to Brendan and Good Luck to everyone at LFC. Kenny

That is why people defended him to the hilt !!

Pure class and dignity from the man

[ycsatbjywtbiastkamb]

i loved the way he put the record straight about a DoF, i think he thought ian ayres answer to the press was slightly ambiguous and open to interpretation so he made it very clear what his thoughts are on the matter. i was convinced FSG wanted a younger manager because they wanted a yes man but fair dues to the yanks they`ve brought in someone who looks like he wont take any sh*t.
what an impressive fella though, when asked about how he`d deal with millionaire superstar players i loved the way he said he doesnt look at a persons position a company chart before talking to them, basically saying he`ll treat the tea lady with the same respect he`d show john henry.
that stuff really strikes a chord in this city, that is right out of the bill shankly handbook, i dont think that press conference could have gone much better for him.

[Roger Red Hat]

all he has to do now is win the league and cup double in his first season without spending £300 million to do it.

I'm kidding, we'll settle for 2nd - just this once!