Liverpool FC Forum

[Leonmc0708]

Steve McManaman has defended the Anfield managerial reputations of Graeme Souness and Roy Evans and insists some of the criticism they receive is unfair. 
In an exclusive interview with Liverpoolfc.tv, Macca has taken a nostalgic look back on his career with the Reds and spoken glowingly about the years he played under Souey and Evo.
 
Their time in charge will not be remembered as the most successful period of this club's history but the Manchester City star believes both may have fared better had they been in charge today.
 
He explains: "Graeme got lambasted for a lot of the changes he made, like the move to Melwood, which, of course, now everyone says is common sense.
 
"He also introduced a new eating regime all those years ago. Again, people turned their noses up to it at the time but now it's the norm.
 
"Obviously, the fact that I played a lot under him means I will have a lot of nice things to say about him. Let's not forget he brought Robbie (Fowler) through but I think at the time we just had a lot of inexperienced lads in the team. They worked wonders at times but just couldn't sustain it.
 
"Maybe he would have turned things around and got it right had he been given more time but there was a lot of pressure on him and the fans weren't happy about the interview he did with The Sun, so we'll never know.
 
"As for Roy Evans, I'll stick up for him until the day I die. I think he was an excellent manager who was just unlucky to be in charge at the wrong time.
 
"It's all a load of rubbish when people say he was too nice. Under Roy we finished third, fourth and third. In this day and age that would be enough to secure qualification for the Champions League every season.
"We also played some wonderful football at times under Roy. We were a very attack-minded side and it was a very enjoyable time going to watch Liverpool then.
 
"Admittedly, we didn't win the league but we won the Coca Cola Cup and lost in the final of the FA Cup. It was unfortunate that we came across, at that time, a very good Manchester United team. It's like now, everyone is struggling to reach the heights of this wonderful Arsenal team. But you don't get people criticising the manager of a team that finishes third in the league.
 
"If we'd have qualified for the Champions League every year then there'd have been more money to buy better players and it would have snowballed from there."
 
McManaman also goes on to discuss his days as an Anfield apprentice, the greatest player he ever played alongside in a red shirt, his best and worst moments as a Liverpool player and leaving for Real Madrid.

What next, he will be saying that Houllier was as good as Shanks.............

[Ciggy]

he must wana transfer to the toon suckin souys @rse like that   Muppet

[A.B.]

Even though everyone has the right to say whatever the hell they want, this is the biggest bullsh!t I've heard in a long time. What can you expect from a player who walked out on his club.

[Ciggy]

Manchester City star believes both may have fared better had they been in charge today
knob hes just fumin hes at city an there sh#t

[madred]

Looking back i cant help but think of what a shambles the place was with the likes of Ruddock, Piecnik, Tanner, Kozma, James, Dicks, Stewart and the rest of the shower of s***e we had to endure. Some people think Houllier made some bad signings but that man made far worse the GH! How Mcmanaman can back him is beyond belief. Roy Evans was a different kettle of fish as he did a great job but just didnt quite get it right.

P.S Im havent based this on his dealings with that rag of a newspaper.

[murphy0151]

I think he was on something the night before he came out with this waffle, probably been in Robbies on the marching powder and little fellas all night.

[Leonmc0708]

Probably

[Paul C]

McManaman only liked Evans cos he let him go out on the p155 and fook about in training, I hate that kn0b, he thinks he's something he isn't, once EPL defenders cottoned onto his game he lost it and thats why he move to Real

[Fowler_E7]

very harsh reaction people, its just an article! what he said about souness was wrong but i think it is quite fair what he said about evans, anyway he mentioned he was biased about souness

[laza]

Yeah while i cant agree with the Souness assessment, i think he makes some valid points about Evans reign

[kindaconfused]

The Spice Boy in Chief himself. What a twonk !!

[woof woof !]

Souness and Evans where fantastic servants to LFC. OK they weren't perfect and Souness in particular upset many people,but as a player he was amongst the best (in his position) we've ever had.
Sad to see how people prefer to dwell on the negative and dismiss the positive.

[Fowler_E7]

here here

[stmichael]

i hear mcmanaman also has a left cheek aswell as a right cheek.

[dawson99]

nice one woofy
i liked macca when he was at us, we did play proper attacking football and were a lot more fun to watch than in recent years.
ok the souness and evans stuff was slightly exagerated but we hasd a big sense of family at that time, so leave the lad alone

my fave footy times were the redknapp, barnes, macca, fowler, rush jones times

just personal fun