I'm not convinced that this sudden rush of managers that we've been linked with is genuine. I'm not saying that we haven't made moves to try and speak to them but news of these approaches is certainly finding its way into the media on purpose. It's like Rick Parry's back at the club. "We tried to get you Rijkaard but here's Roy". You know the drill.
Now earlier in the week we said that Roy Hodgson would be the next manager of Liverpool Football Club. Within minutes of posting that the source behind that information urged us to make it a little clearer. So we did. We needed to make it clear that the appointment was subject to compensation being agreed between Liverpool and Fulham and contracts needing to be signed. Roy had agreed terms. Liverpool had permission to speak to him. Everything was in order.
I think most people understand how things work, although I do spend a lot of my time banging my head against the monitor when people misquote you or don't understand how football works. Some are genuinely as thick as pig [oops], usually because they don't read articles properly, or maybe can't read at all, but some people are just naive. For example some really do believe that clubs, players and agents don't speak to anyone unless they have permission. There are ways around this. They're all bent. There's millions of pounds of money at stake for clubs and greedy agents want their cuts.
Anyway, this is what I think the current state of play is based on information I'm receiving on a daily basis and a bit of common sense and guesswork. Feel free to chip in with your thoughts in the comments section below.
Roy Hodgson has agreed terms with Liverpool but hasn't been confirmed as manager. To be confirmed as manager, Liverpool and Fulham need to agree a compensation figure and contracts need to be inked. I don't believe compensation would be a problem though so Liverpool are, in my opinion, I don't know this as a fact, stalling.
There are suggestions from people I know that Roy is stalling but I'm not sure. Of course he could be holding out for the England job but if so, why would Liverpool send down to London executive and non-executive figures from the club for talks with him. And why would the legal team have travelled down there? If it's true that he is stalling, I expect Liverpool to end their interest in him this weekend.
Late last night I received news that claimed the board would make a decision this weekend on who to give the job to with an expected announcement on Monday. I was told that there was a 2nd unnamed candidate that the Reds would prefer over Roy. This would back up why Liverpool are delaying things if we go down that route.
What I find strange is that clubs and/or agents who are associated to the faces we've been linked with have all been quoted about our approaches yet Fulham haven't.
Yesterday I had a very brief email exchange with Christian Purslow. I assured him that I wouldn't publish his private email address despite pressure from Reds I know who want me to do this. I'm not sure what I think of Purslow yet. My feelings have been mixed. Last summer he really angered me with his responses relating to the Xabi Alonso money and where it went and the transfer kitty being used to extend player contracts. I found his words patronising to supporters. This summer I've been left thinking how any Liverpool supporter could ignore appointing Kenny Dalglish as manager if a low-key appointment was going to be made anyway. Maybe that's unfair, I don't know.
I am aware that one national newspaper (not a tabloid) is currently investigating Purslow's previous links with Tom Hicks in the United States. I heard about this yesterday as I know the journalist in question. The same source also linked me to Ian Ayre's Facebook profile. They were pointing out some of his friends and in particular Mack Hicks and Bradley Hicks. It would be wrong to name others.
There is definitely an ongoing attempt to try and discredit Purslow. I've been encouraged to get involved but I'm refusing to as things stands because I don't know if it's justified. I am though very worried about the current plight of the club. I'm praying that Purslow isn't a Hicks puppet but sadly, I think I'm going to proven wrong. I want to give him a chance but that takes time but sadly time isn't on our side. I'm chewing it over every day. We'll see.
I think these latest links to managerial candidates is just so that Purslow can say "I did me best" before confirming Hodgson as manager. But I do believe that there is a 2nd candidate that Purslow is hoping to scoop The thing is, if the board is going to stick to their weekend deadline, time is running out.
So who is the 2nd candidate? Rijkaard? I'd love him but no chance. Deschamps? Not sure if I rate him or not but easier to attract - I even received an email this morning telling me to listen out for Ruud Gullit's name!
Poor old Roy. The bloke's done nothing wrong has he. I'm actually hoping that he does the get job now. Since when have we only been about attracting the big names? If he was called Roy Hodgsono and from Italy would we be more keen? Everyone deserves a chance in life. How many players and managers from years gone by would we have missed out on at Liverpool had we adopted the modern day attitude of supporters?
I don't claim to know everything. I'm just a fan like you but I do get fed a lot of info. Having run this site for 11 years and having worked with various former and current Liverpool players and some of the best fans in the world, you do build up an extensive network of sources. Some deliver, some don't, but I understand and know how the game works and how things change in business, especially football business. I give you something to talk about i.e. Kop TALK.
Do I know who will be the next manager of Liverpool Football Club? No I don't. Do I believe that Roy Hodgson has accepted terms to manage Liverpool? Yes I do. Do I believe that there's genuinely a second candidate that Purslow would like to appoint ahead of Roy? Yes I do although he clearly likes Roy. Do I trust any of the speculation at the moment other than that associated to Roy Hodgson? No I don't. Who do I think will be the next manager? Roy Hodgson. Will I be right? I don't know and I don't care because I'm off for a pint now.
Oh, one more thing. I was told that one of the Sunday newspapers was going to run an exclusive about things... hopefully I'll have sobered up by then to see them.
Enjoy the weekend. Things should be much clearer after it.
YNWA
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Duncan Oldham
KopTalk Editor
