As the Summer merry-go-round of players has not yet started, the focus so far has been upon the managerial movements. This has started me wondering if the nature of club managers has shifted. Are managers now the same as players in that we expect them to be with us for a couple of seasons before they are replaced by somebody younger/better? Are the days of long-serving managers a la Ferguson/Wenger now a thing of the past? Is such a change to a more European style of managerial appointments a good or a bad thing? LFC have had a history, until recently, of supporting their managers for the long term. We can debate if that has always been positive. However, the manager has had as much (maybe more) focus upon them as the team itself. Our managers have been viewed as our leaders over and above the team. We have chanted and sung songs about Shankly, Paisley, Houlier, Rafa and Kenny. It is only Hodgson who recieved the true ire of our supporters. Now we have Rodgers and his page has yet to be written on. However, do we believe that he is here to create a dynasty or do we expect him to do a job for a few years before he moves on or is moved out? Is he likely to be the first Liverpool manager for a long time who does not have the same profile as his predecessors?
I think it has more to do with clubs being run as business these days. Most of the big clubs have foreign owners and investors who if they put money in want to see some immediate success. I am not looking forward to SAF leaving as i think Utd could well see a succession of managers once he is replaced. The chances of a new manger coming in with no effect on results, structure, morale and other things that make a club tick is highly unlikely. Fans can only give a new manager support and hope things turn out well.
Ultimately the fans have to take responsibility for how the current trend as materialised. I have argued on here a few times that the 24hr media coverage is a huge part of that but for me it still comes down to the fans who are too easily influenced by what the press say which then leads to the man on the street copying it and thus increasing the pressure even more and finally the fans of whoever is the new target turning against them! We were a perfect example last season with Kenny; first full season in charge and we reach 2 cup finals, won one and to be fair momentum and form was against us big time in the 2nd final, great football overall, unluckly as **** and injuries, and yes we did not finish as high as hoped but the difference of say 3 places and some fans wanted him gone! I think the days of lengthy spells like Wenger and Fergie are largely gone to be honest; first of all the only way you can possibly get that long is to be successful right from the off like Mourinho was for instance and even then if that is maintained most managers will seek further challenges. I think the most we will see ingeneral will be at most 7 or 8 years from now on!
