“When you spend over £100m you'd expect to be challenging for the league”. These words, in relation to Spurs, have come back to haunt Brendan Rodgers.
At the time, he seemed infallible as Liverpool’s title challenge was still in full swing.
Fast-forward eighteen months and, after spending £292 million, Rodgers admitted he was still in a rebuilding process before receiving his P45 yesterday.
So, who could Liverpool get to replace him? We take a look at some of the candidates.
Jurgen Klopp - 1/4
Klopp has been heavily linked with the Liverpool job this morning, and is the clear 1/4 favourite to take over the reins at Anfield.
Despite his former Borussia Dortmund side languishing in the Bundesliga relegation zone at times last season, Klopp remains one of the most highly-respected coaches in European football.
Klopp also has no problem working under a Director of Football – a structure FSG had initially wanted under Rodgers – and should have no reservations in working with the club’s much-maligned transfer committee.
Ronald Koeman - 33/1
Koeman’s stock is high in the Premier League after miraculously guiding Southampton to the Europa League following a turbulent summer last year.
He has already had to play down a link to the Netherlands job, where Danny Blind is already under pressure after just a short spell in charge.
However, his work on a budget at St. Mary’s and at Feyenoord have alerted Premier League chairmen to his talents and he can expect to be linked with any future vacancies amongst the traditional top six clubs.
Frank De Boer - 14/1
Another up-and-coming Dutch manager, De Boer was eager to take over at Spurs last summer before Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment.
He’s said in the past that Liverpool is a club he thinks “in the future I could be a manager of” and was allegedly approached by the club before Rodgers’ appointment.
Garry Monk - 33/1
Swansea City boss Garry Monk has expressed his shock at Rodgers' dismissal but his name could be in the frame to replace his former mentor.
Eyebrows were raised when the 36-year-old took over from Michael Laudrup at the Swans, but his meticulous work at the Liberty Stadium has impressed former doubters.
However, appointing a Swansea boss who's never won anything hasn't exactly worked out for FSG with Rodgers and it seems unlikely Monk will make the step up to a traditionally larger club at this stage of his career.
Carlo Ancelotti - 3/1
The Italian flew into London yesterday around the time of Rodgers' dismissal and has allegedly been sounded out by FSG already.
Despite winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, Ancelotti was sacked in May after failing to win any silverware last season. The 56-year-old has Premier League experience, having won the title with Chelsea and can boast a glittering CV, also managing the likes of AC Milan, PSG and Juventus.
*Prices correct at time of publication.
At the time, he seemed infallible as Liverpool’s title challenge was still in full swing.
Fast-forward eighteen months and, after spending £292 million, Rodgers admitted he was still in a rebuilding process before receiving his P45 yesterday.
So, who could Liverpool get to replace him? We take a look at some of the candidates.
Jurgen Klopp - 1/4
Klopp has been heavily linked with the Liverpool job this morning, and is the clear 1/4 favourite to take over the reins at Anfield.
Despite his former Borussia Dortmund side languishing in the Bundesliga relegation zone at times last season, Klopp remains one of the most highly-respected coaches in European football.
He has previously hinted that England is the only other country he can see himself working in – in a statement that just fell short of a come-and-get-me-plea. ""
Klopp also has no problem working under a Director of Football – a structure FSG had initially wanted under Rodgers – and should have no reservations in working with the club’s much-maligned transfer committee.
Ronald Koeman - 33/1
Koeman’s stock is high in the Premier League after miraculously guiding Southampton to the Europa League following a turbulent summer last year.
He has already had to play down a link to the Netherlands job, where Danny Blind is already under pressure after just a short spell in charge.
However, his work on a budget at St. Mary’s and at Feyenoord have alerted Premier League chairmen to his talents and he can expect to be linked with any future vacancies amongst the traditional top six clubs.
Frank De Boer - 14/1
Another up-and-coming Dutch manager, De Boer was eager to take over at Spurs last summer before Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment.
He’s said in the past that Liverpool is a club he thinks “in the future I could be a manager of” and was allegedly approached by the club before Rodgers’ appointment.
De Boer’s track record of success with Ajax, his ability to develop players and his tactical nous would make him the ideal, youthful candidate for FSG.""
Garry Monk - 33/1
Swansea City boss Garry Monk has expressed his shock at Rodgers' dismissal but his name could be in the frame to replace his former mentor.
Eyebrows were raised when the 36-year-old took over from Michael Laudrup at the Swans, but his meticulous work at the Liberty Stadium has impressed former doubters.
However, appointing a Swansea boss who's never won anything hasn't exactly worked out for FSG with Rodgers and it seems unlikely Monk will make the step up to a traditionally larger club at this stage of his career.
Carlo Ancelotti - 3/1
The Italian flew into London yesterday around the time of Rodgers' dismissal and has allegedly been sounded out by FSG already.
Despite winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, Ancelotti was sacked in May after failing to win any silverware last season. The 56-year-old has Premier League experience, having won the title with Chelsea and can boast a glittering CV, also managing the likes of AC Milan, PSG and Juventus.
*Prices correct at time of publication.