So, with Solskjaer’s reign now seemingly deep into the ‘unsalvageable’ stage, and many managers around Europe touted as possibilities to take over, what does the Caf think about the prospect of Brendan Rodgers becoming the next permanent manager of Manchester United?
I freely admit that I’m a huge fan of his and really warmed to him with how he has repaired his reputation in the game and, more importantly, enhanced his CV since his sacking by Liverpool back in 2015. His Swansea and Liverpool teams played beautiful, if naive, football (I genuinely believe peak Rodgers’ Liverpool were prettier on the eye than peak Klopp’s Liverpool, playing scintillating football seemingly every week, no matter the opposition) and his body of work at Celtic looks more impressive by the day considering the state of the Glasgow club since his departure.
His feats at Leicester need no introduction to followers of the Premier League, with superb league finishes considering their budget constraints compared to those teams around them, and he’s added silverware to boot, with terrific wins at Wembley against Tuchel’s Chelsea and Guardiola’s City in the past six months. Regular wins against the traditional ‘top 6’ in the past 2.5 seasons, all the while playing brilliantly-coached, progressive football, Rodgers has really put his name forward as a genuine consideration for any of the Premier League’s elite clubs should they need a new manager any time soon.
There are question marks, of course: his Liverpool connections; his so-so record in Europe; his personality not being to everyone’s liking (personal opinion and not football-related, that, for me); his ability to manage a dressing-room full of superstars.
So, do you think he’d be able to a) bring his style of high-pressing, high-intensity football to this United squad, and b) be successful doing it?
P.S. Can any of the mods at a poll to the thread title? Ta.