In their different ways, both Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers have managed to upset the Swansea faithful. The question is: which one of them do you consider to have twisted the knife the hardest bearing in mind what they did and said whilst with us, and ditto after they left? For me, the Martinez episode has been brought more into context by Rodger's recent actions and I would vote Rodgers as being the bigger "villain" of the two. Reasons? Despite Martinez' silence and duplicity before his move, he is at least responsible for creating the style of football that Rodgers built on to enhance our reputation worldwide. If RM hadn't put the building blocks in place, I would have to question how successful Rodgers would have been with us. That said, to his credit, Rodgers did deliver Premier League football. However, the clincher, in my opinion, is the timing of Rodgers' departure. He knew full well that we had a tremendously difficult second season to negotiate, one which could well have severe repercussions on the very future of our club - and he dumped us without a second's thought. He was not to know that we would be "lucky" enough to secure the services of someone like Michael Laudrup who, by the way, still has it all to prove, so success, or indeed survival, is not a foregone conclusion. But not content with that, Rodgers has now compounded his sins by breaking an agreement not to poach our players and he has done so, imo, in a sneaky, underhand and distasteful manner. He has treated our club, the Board, the players and we fans with total disrespect in the ruthless pursuit of his own ambition. Contemptible!! I am not a fan of either man but for me Rodgers deserves the title of our "Black Swan".
Nice choice ... you have an eye there Aswan. Sousa did not leave under a cloud, he left by mutual consent after giving us our best season (highest finish) since Toshack and working without all of the goals that Martinez took from us. For me it has to be BR .... and as bad as it is already, he's still digging his grave. Good article Ivor.
If you read Monk's book he pretty much slates Sousa and credits the finish that season to the team spirit of the players over anything Sousa did. I think the only thing he actually gave him credit for was introducing zonal marking
"the only thing he actually gave him credit for was introducing zonal marking" So he's the one to blame then. The only thing Martinez did wrong was foolishly make promises he couldn't keep. Well intentioned but naive at best. My posts have shown I was OK with Rodgers going to Liverpool bearing in mind the incredible debt we owed him (though built on the foundations of past success for sure). But this Allen episode has led me to believe that others were right and I was wrong. Yes, I've said it. An ambitious man who blarneys his way through life saying all the right things but wouldn't hesitate to stab you in the back to get his own way when the time comes. Those who say 'that's football' are wrong. I've said before, if integrity is to mean anything at all you keep your ****ing word, whether legally enforceable or not. In answer to your question, Ivor, Rodgers by a ****-ry mile.
IMO It has to be Rodgers, he let everyone think we were his project and with that in mind led us to believe ( initially ) that he was prepared to help the club progress, He is very calculating with his words and uses them very effectively and always a with a purpose . we may never know whether he used his knowledge of players contracts for his own ends but it seems likely that he did which on its own shows a distinct lack of class or honour.When the England job was being touted the writing was on the wall then and I don't believe when Liverpool came sniffing around he gave us a second thought which is fine as he has ambitions and the confidence in his own ability to take the job (he can't be critisised for that ) but it's the some would say negative impact he's having now which shows either he's realised that he's out of his depth and panic buying or he really is an unhonourable man .I suppose we'll find out shortly
Think we already know the answer to that one. The fact that the figure is reputedly close-ish to the trigger says it all for me. I'm not saying his loyalties shouldn't lie with Liverpool - that's a given - but if you agree to something then bloody well stick to it. Very bad form and he's done his reputation a lot of harm imo, and not just around Swansea judging by the posts from fans of other clubs. Meant to say earlier that despite the nature of the thread we must also give credit where it's due as both Martinez and Rodgers formed an essential part of the building blocks of our Club. No matter what was said or done thereafter, nobody can deny that.
KJ I applaude your honesty, and totally agree and as I said at the time , Brenda has more faces than a townhall clock. I for one hope the 'curse' sees him crash and burn!
I for one was pissed off when Martinez left, having just read his book and a glowing term of "They'll have to drag me out of here kicking and screaming" not sure if this is totally accurate but you know the gist of it. Then promptly pissed off to Wigan, I was very disappointed with him. Not to bothered now, he was the main catalyst in the way we play today. Sousa, made us a difficult side to break down and gave the side a bit of backbone. Yes I know he wasn't liked but I have no problem with Sousa, at least he never came out with all the usual claptrap loving the club etc, he was here just to do a job. Now that brings me onto Rodgers, I will be forever grateful for him delivering PL football to us. He improved the style of play and it's a joy to watch. When he left I had no problem with him going, to go to club like Liverpool would be hard to turn down, but I feel he should have stayed for another year, but it's his choice. Now for my rant!!!! I'm now pissed off with all the claptrap he spouts off, he's forever in the media saying this and that he must love the sound of his own voice. Huw Jenkins and the board must be spitting feathers now about his constant harpings, and "I have a wonderful relationship with the Chairman" well thats down the swanee now!! He then was telling Siggy to sign for us, when it was plainly clear he wanted him, just glad he went to Spurs. Now the Joe Allen fiasco has the man NO integrity? Bloody hell if he wants all our players why the hell did he leave. He'd have signed Siggy asked Huw nicely for Borini then bob's your uncle, tidy looking team. As mention has more faces than a townhall clock. So in answer to your question Ivor, Brendan all the way!!!!!!
I never wanted the Irish git, as you all know! 'Brenda the tea lady' summed up my contempt for his appointment, but as time progressed I could see he had the sense not to mess with Martinez and Sousa's Legacy, and for that I thank him, but as for his current antics, well it doesn't surprise me, as I took on board well, what the Watford boys, warned us of. I'm glad he's gone, and I know some of you were perplexed at my stance went he went, but I really could not warm to Rodgers, the way I did with Martinez and to some extent Sousa. Good thread Ivor, and Rodgers will always be the Black Swan for me, they don't call him Rodger the dodger for nothing!............
Whose the worst of these two great Swansea managers ...... almost seems wrong to have to pick but I'll pick Rodgers . Martinez had more to do with building Swansea at the early stages , that Rodgers was able to advantage with a few wise transfers later .
After Martinez took Gomez (as we were on the verge of signing him when the season was over) then took our top goalscorer leaving us with sod all, it left me fearing relegation. We didnt get relegated and eventually pushed on to promotion so it made it that much easier to forgive and forget. Now on to Brendan. It seems as if history is repeating itself. Took Siggy from the verge of signing and is now coming back for one of our top performers. However, if this does end up being the cause of our relegation I genuinely think ill hunt the guy down myself! Both very similar in the way they went about their business, both sneaky, slimy, lieing tosspots. One left us with a system that would eventually lead to our promotion to the best league in the world, lets see where this one leaves us.
Well like him or loath him (I too am leaning towards the latter these days) the last one left us a Premiership club. In case you didn't notice he was our manager during season 2010-11. Would that have happened had he not been appointed? As I recall he was the one who signed Sinclair, the main catalyst imo, who would never have come here ordinarily.
Despite what they do after they've left, at least having your managers poached shows the club is doing well and heading in the right direction. Better that than having to sack your manager for inept performances on the pitch and a club on the decline.
