I'm actually being serious now (honest!). I have no problem with Martinez as a manager - or Hodgeson for that matter - but I don't feel it's the right time for a managerial change. Is Martinez the right man? I have my doubts. Is this the right time to switch manager? No. 100% no. P.S. It's a Champagne Supernova in Manchester right now.
I think this is clever mancs just trying to upset us, since misery loves company. Saying that, I do like the guy, and I dearly wanted Wigan to stay up, but it is the old Woy issue, how would he do with a big club, where we demand more than backs to the wall, siege mentality. My top 5 for the job are: Kenny Pep Rafa André Maureen
As soon as I hear that rival fans (often Mancs) telling us that a midtable manager would be great for us, I know that thats not the manager for us.
This season is statistically our worst since 1953. I think I'd rather have BR from Swansea than Martinez, I don't know really. There might be a few decent ones going after the Euros, depending on how they go.
Dalglish is ****. He's had a decent spell but why are people forgetting the second half of the season where ... etc....etc....etc
simply put. martinez aint up to it and its been proved by how bloody bad his side defends for 75% of the league campaign. Kenny aint stepping down and aint going to be DOF. Henry will have to sack him with 2 years left on his contract.
Here comes my tuppence... We're looking at this season and we're understandably disappointed with the outcome. But look at the work that has been done. We have a good 'Home-Grown' core to the team which complies with the rules as they stand. We've spent a lot on that, but strategically speaking, we've improved on last season, pruning out some real dross and bringing in Henderson and Enrique (Downing didn't get it together and Adam faded rapidly after a brief burst of competence). We've now got 6-7 Brits in the squad who don't disgrace the shirt (what an improvement from the likes of Konchesky and Cole) and a decent core who are as good as any in the PL (Lucas, Suarez, Agger, Reina). We do still lack in depth, as it showed with Lucas' injury, and Suarez' suspension. But we have developing talent in those two positions (notably Henderson, Spearing and Carroll - not like for like, accepted) and some cover for the likes of Gerrard (Shelvey/Henderson). When we look at that lack of depth, can we completely lay it at Kenny's door for not doing better? Until Lucas' injury, we were still in touch with 3rd/4th, but losing Lucas and Suarez at the same time seemed to sap the momentum from the team which is even now still absent. The CC is a poor sticking plaster for the season, but its more than Man Utd have to stick in their cabinet this season, and Chelsea might still have to join us on Thursday night... I'm not convinced that Martinez is the right candidate, but its really hard to decide on the evidence presented. On the plus side, his teams play football in the right way - they want to get the ball down and attack - but it have left them vulnerable at times and they've been punished. Also on the plus side, he's had a net spend of -£10mil over three seasons (LET THAT SOAK IN - when Rafa had no money to spend over three seasons, the result was that he lost his job and we were lumbered with Woy and his 'buys'...), so to avoid relegation on the last day of the season by winning pressurised games should count in his favour. But I note the caution regards managers who don't adapt to having money, it can be a problem. Personally, I'd be happy with Kenny for another season to see if he can get either better cover for Lucas, or develop Spearing or Henderson to take up that position, to see if he can get the best out of Carroll (as Shearer thinks he will), and finally to see if Sterling can oust Downing in the pecking order (and find out if he's more than the talk he's been giving it...)
Surely we should be aiming higher than Martinez. I think the guy is good and has a promising career ahead of him but from Wigan to Liverpool is a massive risk for us. I think if we were to appoint him, then we really are a mid table side. This all started when we decided to replace Rafa with Roy. No ambition whatsoever if we decide to go with Martinez.
I still expect Kenny to still be in charge for next season, but improvements have to be made. I still think we're 4-5 signings shy of competing for 4th place. We really need to be lucky this summer.
Why would we go for Martinez, who I actually like, when you have someone proven ready to walk into the job in Rafa?? Surely, Rafa's record, with the benefit of hindsight, truly stands up? Even to the most one eyed Rafa basher!! That said, hope Kenny gets more time.....but he needs to lighten up; the journo's love winding him up it seems!
Martinez is great under pressure, plays a good brand of football, young and ambitious. I personally think it would be a risk well worth taking. He has done a great job at Wigan with what he's had. With the backing of our owners and a squad like ours I see him being a great manager. I personally think someone like Martinez is the way forward - a manager that's young and ambitious that can grow as the club does. If we're looking for a long term solution, for me he fits the bill perfectly.
I do like Martinez and what he represents. However, his Wigan team are poor for 90% of the season and then somehow manage to find form for the last few games which saves them. As you say, he is a big risk and I don't think we can afford to take risks. I would prefer an established manager with a track record. Rafa springs to mind. However, I would give Kenny another season.
I would give Kenny another season too. But the pile of ****e that Martinez has had to work with at Wigan he's done wonders to keep them up twice in a row. I just feel with a good squad and the backing of owners with money - he would surprise people. Yes it's a risk, but isn't everything a risk in football? I like Rafa, I just don't feel we should go backwards - especially as this is a new era for Liverpool. Also for those mentioning AVB - I strongly suggest seeing if the doctors have a spare appointment today. He did well at Porto, but let's face it even I could have won the league with Porto. He was probably the worst manager in the PL this season, had no knowledge of how to adapt tactics to suit different games, and literally played to Chelsea's weaknesses every game.
IF (and its a huge IF) FSG decide to dispose of Kenny's services - where should we go? I agree that Rafa's record is good - compare with Woy's for the nearest like for like. Could we see Rafa coming back perhaps? And as a management team, would it be a possibility of Martinez coming in as Rafa's No2, and providing a smooth succession in the Bootroom tradition further on down the line? Rafa certainly produced some great football and spotted some top drawer talent when he had money to spend (Torres, Alonso, Mascherano, Agger to name a few), but had problems wheeling and dealing on small sums. Martinez likes to play good football, but perhaps is tactically naive and certainly has had to fit a few square pegs into round holes, rather than cut his cloth to fit the fabric rather than the pattern - whose to say he can't learn tactically from Rafa and also do the motivational job he does so well with Wigan (any team that can take the pastings they have this season and still come out playing attractive footie rather than get hoofie, gets my time at least...) Just a thought, all around the Fenway action of getting Kenny on the golf course... I'd still rather give Kenny another season to blend and improve the team... If we can get Martinez as Kenny's No2, that'd be good too.
I can see the reasoning behind Martinez and I really do like him as a man and manager. But his lack of experience at a bigger club is too big for us to take. Especially as we're entering another season without Champions League football and slowly growing further away from the top 4. The longer we go on without competing, the less we can rely on our brand and history alone to attract players. That's why I feel we need a more established manager to take control. AVB definately struggled at CFC but I don't think he was helped by the owners or the senior players. He wanted to play good attacking football but it's just not suited to CFC and the players they have. However, he does have experience at managing a couple of big clubs so he understands the level of expectation that comes with big jobs. Not only this, I believe he can attract bigger stars. I don't think he is the right manager for LFC but I can see the logic behind him, and I wouldn't be too upset if we did get him.
