Liverpool FC have this evening announced the departure of manager Brendan Rodgers…
Today’s 1-1 draw with neighbours Everton at Goodison Park has proved to be Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers‘ final match in charge of the Reds.
The Northern Irishman had been under severe pressure for several weeks following a series of poor results and performances dating back to last season.
A statement on Liverpoolfc.com confirming the development began: “Liverpool Football Club has announced that Brendan Rodgers will leave his post with immediate effect after having his contract terminated.”
According to a respected BBC journalist, club owners Fenway Sports Group made the decision to dispense with Rodgers prior to today’s Merseyside derby and the result was always going to be immaterial in deciding his fate.
The former Swansea City boss arrived at Anfield in June 2012 and won 63 of his 122 Premier League matches in charge (D30 L29).
After coming within a whisker of landing a surprise league championship in 2013-14, Liverpool fell away drastically last season and their malaise has continued this term despite spending around £80m in the summer transfer market.
“We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Brendan Rodgers for the significant contribution he has made to the club and express our gratitude for his hard work and commitment,” continued the official statement released jointly by Principal Owner John W Henry, Chairman Tom Werner and President Mike Gordon.
“All of us have experienced some wonderful moments with Brendan as manager and we are confident he will enjoy a long career in the game.
“Although this has been a difficult decision, we believe it provides us with the best opportunity for success on the pitch. Ambition and winning are at the heart of what we want to bring to Liverpool and we believe this change gives us the best opportunity to deliver it.
“The search for a new manager is underway and we hope to make an appointment in a decisive and timely manner.”
Rodgers leaves with Liverpool in 10th place in the Premier League standings on 12 points after eight games.
A number of potential replacements have been mooted by the media in recent weeks including Carlo Ancelotti, Jürgen Klopp, Walter Mazzarri and Frank de Boer.
Klopp, who is currently unattached after leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of May, is thought to be the front-runner with leading bookmakers installing the 48-year-old as the 4/9 favourite.
Vital Comment
Managers are always in trouble when the fans turn against them and there has been a growing sense of disquiet amongst supporters for some time. In truth Rodgers was incredibly lucky to keep his job in the summer and with no sign of an improvement so far this season a change had become somewhat inevitable. The owners have obviously taken the decision now to buy themselves/the new man a little bit of time to take stock during the international break. Klopp would be a popular choice and his youthful, vibrant approach would appear to be well-suited to FSG’s general outlook. There will be many questioning their judgement in replacing Rodgers so soon after giving him a big sum of money to spend on the players he wanted however. Many questions remain with regards to the futures of his newly-assembled back room staff etc, but they are for another day. Everyone at Vital Liverpool would like to wish Brendan all the best in his future endeavours.
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