Not at all. If it was, then every player would be saying it - Kuyt for one, didn't blame Rodgers. Yes Lucas isn't feeling the love right now and Sakho definitely isn't.
The players attitude matters too. Agger's always been one to speak out so I can't say I'm surprised by him saying anything. He wasn't appreciated but what I meant was, the player wouldn't be allowed to leave if the manager saw them as first choice. If Agger was first choice, he wouldn't have left. If Agger was first choice then he would have believed Brod did appreciate him. can any player be happy about leaving a club because they're no longer first pick and would any player believe they were fully appreciated in that position? Not defending Brod here, he loves the sound of his own voice but he doesn't strike me as someone that managers all individuals that well.
A big part of a managers job at the top level these days is to manage the ego's in the large squads that are necessary to compete at the top end of the EPL and European competition. A player can be out of the side, but if he's managed right he can still be re-assured that he's still an important member of the squad and is firmly in the managers plans. I think Rodgers has alienated a few at your spot, some have since left e.g. Agger and Reina and others are no doubt still there and festering on it.
He obviously wasn't happy, he left despite not being out of contract He just didn't complain to the media about it; aka player attitudes
Best manager we've had in a long-long time... but no. I wouldn't take him back regardless of him being the best manager in decades. Look forwards not back. Rafa made us into a modern club and is a fantastic manager, but his problem is motivational. I'd take him as a director of football or some other role, but not as manager.
Well nobody's happy about not being first choice anymore but they move on to further their career and/or get more playing time [except Reina which was just odd!] The point really was contrast in push/pull reasons for leaving. Agger and Reina [now Lucas] feel a definite push, Kuyt was more a pull - he said this: "After six years I am ready for a new challenge," Kuyt said. "[The club and supporters] I will always carry in my heart. The appointment of the new coach has nothing to do with it. But when Fenerbahce came to me and made their ambitions known, from the first moment I was sold. They give me the confidence that I lost."
But Rodgers had just signed and Kuyt could have been first choice again, possibly, he left before finding out suggesting he really did want a new challenge.
As I said, it comes down to player attitudes. If they're like Kuyt then we never find out about the bad stuff because he's a professional. If they're like Albert Reira, we'll only hear the bad. Its not often you hear a fair assessment. Agger is probably a fair one but I'd usually look at players like Carragher who have retired and weren't forced out. Of course, even this comes down to personal perspective too.
Carragher pre-empted the situation by leaving before he got to spend a season on the bench or not picked at all. We only ever know as much as the players want us know in interviews or books but as most don't do those, we never get the full picture. I far rather players talked us up when they leave, poor man management will result in some players feeling the need to moan when they've left but as you say, it is also down to personal attitude.
Carragher has a season on the bench before Brod recalled him. Personally, I don't care what they say as I don't usually listen. They are often posed certain questions and the interviewer is looking for slips or holes to report on. Only time I'm interested nowadays is when its Liverpool doing the interviewing for the TV or website. of course, you never get the negatives then.
He had a period of time coming off the bench but started just as many and captained some of the EL games but he no doubt felt it was going to go one way the following season and decided to retire, I think he may have actually made the difference last season and got us the title, but we'll never know
Interesting thought. Would definitely have had him over Skrtel but I think we would have walked the league if we had a DM like Matic.
He's said as much since. He pointed out that he had a period on the bench and didn't like it. He added that he always wanted to go out on top and he thought he'd missed the boat. When he was an important part of the first team in his final year, he knew it was time to hang the boots up.
If we got rid of BR, which I don't think will happen (provided we get top 6 and are not miles adrift), then Rafa would not be a bad choice. Who else would you have?
