Following a 1-1 draw with Everton in the Merseyside Derby today, Liverpool as announced that manager Brendan Rodgers was being removed from his post. Most soccer fans knew that the result was expected and some were surprised that it took this long into the 2015-16 season for it to happen.
Liverpool has been an underwhelming team recently and fans were calling for Rodgers’ firing since last season in the Premier League. Rodgers became the manager of Liverpool Football Club in June of 2012 and had a record of 103-42-47 (W-D-L) in 192 games across all competitions. He has lost players such as Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling — among others — and had found a permanent place on the hot seat in recent months.
In a joint Fenway Sports Group statement, Principal Owner John W. Henry, Chairman Tom Werner and President Mike Gordon said (via liverpoolfc.com):
“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.”
“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.”
While there have not been any managers named at this time that the club is targeting, Jürgen Klopp is most likely the most desired man for the job. There have been reports from Bosnian paper Pravdabl that Klopp will be announced as new Liverpool manager today, but other sources have yet to confirm.
With Rodgers out as Liverpool boss and Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat leaving his post today, there are somewhat interesting chips falling out of the basket in the Premier League. Whether or not Klopp takes the Liverpool job remains to be seen, and ESPNFC has questioned if he might take the Arsenal job if Arsene Wenger is also fired due to their struggles.
One thing is certain in the EPL currently: Rumors are swirling faster than the winds from Hurricane Joaquin and no job seems safe–including Jose Mourinho at Chelsea.
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