The Steven Gerrard Thread

[Herb]

Moving over here as requested.

@AnfieldRdDreamer

2 problems with this.

First I’m not sure 2 qualifies as multiple leagues but certainly the CL stage I’d say your essential criteria would have ruled out Klopp himself.

Second Klopp has worked hard to create something here. There is a good solid base like what Shanks left Bob or more recent Rijkaard left Pep at Barca. What we’re looking for is evolution not revolution. Build on what had been put in place and progress it to the next level. The kind of managers you are talking about have their strict blueprints for how the club would have to change to fit what they would want. Different playing styles, tactical set ups, dressing room culture. Could you imagine someone like Mourinho coming here? It’s nightmare fuel. It’d be chaos. A younger, up and coming manager willing to learn and adapt into the structure (and there’s already some similarities between his set up at Rangers and Klopps at Dortmund actually). If they have the right ability? Surely the manager equivalent of if they’re good enough they’re old enough?

With Dortmund Klopp won two league titles, got them to a Champions League final and won three cups whilst competing against an absolute juggernaut of a club with not even a fraction of the resources. I’d say that fits the criteria pretty well.

On the evolution not revolution thing, you could debate all day about what the right thing to do in that regard is and there are cases that will support both sides of that argument like the one you’ve cited with Pep at Barca (though that’s certainly a lot easier when you have Messi). There is no exact science there.

You could also look at Moyes at United who didn’t try to change much at United after Ferguson left and was an abject failure. Those after him did try to revolutionise things and have also failed.

Chelsea have had great success over the years chopping and changing managers who have all had completely different blueprints on how to play. The difference with them is they’ve actually gone for managers who were considered amongst the top 3-5 in the world at the time (Mourinho, Ancelotti, Conte, Tuchel).

My belief is that 99% of the time the best managers will win the top prizes and winning a title with Rangers and potentially getting Aston Villa to finish in the top ten is not enough to warrant being given the job at a club which as aspirations of winning league titles and European cups. If for example the likes of ten Hag, Zidane, Conte, Tuchel etc were available in 2024 then I think it would be a big risk to overlook a candidate with that kind of pedigree in favour of somebody who potentially will reach that level. I want as close to a sure thing as possible.