King Kenny's reign comes to an end

Down and out- Dalglish sacked after poor season

It has been announced this afternoon that Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has been sacked. The news comes after days of speculation in which a trip to Boston for a meeting with the Liverpool owners was reported to have not gone well.

Fenway Sports Group released this statement:

"Fenway Sports Group (FSG) and Liverpool Football Club announced that Kenny Dalglish is to leave his post today as manager after having his contract terminated.After a careful and deliberative review of the season, the club came to the decision that a change was appropriate. It is not a decision that was reached lightly or hastily. The search for a new manager will begin immediately."

T-Shirt debactle

For me this decision has been coming. The sacking of Damien Comolli proved that the writing was on the wall. Liverpool spent an awful lot of money on players this season and in truth the returns have been poor. Signing such as Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Jose Enrique, Stewart Downing and Sebastian Coates have all not been impressive. None have had good seasons. An eighth place league finish is simply not good enough. The performances themselves have also been very poor as they have struggled all year. Dalglish's handling of the Luis Suarez racism issue was also appalling. That episode brought the whole of Liverpool football club into disrepute. The way they conducted themselves was awful. The T-Shirts (above) were a disaster as Luis Suarez was found to be guilty. Even after this Dalglish seemed to never regret his actions. He was forced to make an apology by the club. His attitude towards the press was terrible. The arrogance of the man was unbelievable as he would just walk out on interviews. I doubt any journalist will shed a tear over this decision.

For me Dalglish has got exactly what he deserved. I did personally think that the Carling Cup win and a FA Cup Final would have brought him some time however it would appear not. Their season can be categorised as nothing but failure for a team of Liverpool's stature. The fans will still mourn his departure as he will always be regarded as a 'god-like' figure. Although Liverpool are now better off. They can now move forward with a new manager. It will not be easy, the team needs serious investment in the right type of players. If Liverpool do not get this appointment right they could continue to slip and remain outside of those Champions League places for years to come. The two Manchester clubs will continue to improve as will Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea. If Newcastle can perform again next season, or a team such as Everton continue their great form Liverpool will again be struggling to be in the top six. The Premier League is a very very tough league and it will not be getting easier for Liverpool anytime soon.

Is Martinez the answer 

The next appointment will be interesting SkyBet has Wigan manager Roberto Martinez (right) as the 7/4 favourite. Martinez has been linked with the Aston Villa and West Brom jobs in recents days however this is by far a much bigger job. If Liverpool will actually go with him I am not sure. Is he the man to take Liverpool forward? Only managed a team at the lower end of the Premier League will low expectations and no european experience. He does not seem the sort of man they will go for to me. He has done wonders at Wigan by keeping them in the Premier League year after year and likes to play a good brand of football. I do think he can manage at the bigger club however this jump may just be too far too soon. I am sure Martinez will be extremely keen to get this job. Liverpool desperately want to end their wait for a league title is Martinez the man to supply that? For me Liverpool are so far away from the title that it will take years to even get close.  It is a massive job as serious rebuilding needs to take place.

Other candidates include that of former manager Rafa Benitez (4/1 SkyBet), former England Fabio Capello (10/1 SkyBet), former Chelsea Andre Villas Boas (10/1 SkyBet) and current Swansea manager Brendan Rogers (6/1 Skybet). I am sure that over the coming days the number of names linked with this job will rise and rise. I am sure Sven Goran Eriksson will suddenly express an interest soon as he does in all available jobs. I have heard numerous fans saying how they would not mind Benitez back however I feel that this would be a disaster.

For me I have no idea who they will go with. However @25/1 (Skybet) Guus Hiddink would be a wonderful appointment and maybe worth a few quid.  

Capello Gone- Renewed Hope For England

Fabio Capello's reign as England manager is over after the FA accepted the former Real Madrid managers resignation yesterday.

On his way

The news may have come as a surprise to many. Although I doubt that many tears will be shed over the news. In fact many responses from the fans and even some pundits have been positive. It would appear that the John Terry issue was the final straw and Capello (right) has fallen on his sword for his former captain.  For many Capello should have been removed after the dismal World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

Despite that poor World Cup, Capello's record is impressive with a 66.7 win percentage. That is the highest of any England manager ever. He also guided England to this summers Euros. From an outsiders point of view it seems to make no sense as to why he is so unpopular. The England job have been called a poisoned challis due to the press scrutiny, huge public pressure and expectation it is easy to see why. Capello came into the job with a hugely impressive club management record with European big guns AC Milan, Juventus and Real Madrid. He has had experience in top leagues in European as well as the Champions League. However he had never managed in England. Therefore the type of press England has he may have been used to. Also something which was highlighted by many fans was his failure to learn English in nearly 4 years in the job. For talking to the press as well as his players this is a key requirement.  However having said that many ex-pros did not believe it was a problem and his win percentage would also indicate otherwise.  

Terry was Capello's major problem 

Capello brought about his own problems during his time as manager. Mistakes were made by Capello and I am sure he realises it. John Terry (left) caused him numerous problems due to his personal life. Firstly with Wayne Bridge refusing to play for England due to Terry's affair with his wife. Also allegations of wrong-doing including the touting of his box at Wembley. This lead to the decision and the right one by Capello to remove the captaincy from him. For me then he should not have been in the squad. His decision split the public however many did agree. However his biggest mistake and where all his trouble really started from was the decision to hand the captaincy back to Terry. This was a dreadful mistake (as I commented on an earlier article back in March last year). This decision was poor and the handling of it was even worse. The way Rio Ferdinand was removed as captain was appalling and really hurt him as it showed when he was asked by the BBC's Dan Walker on Football Focus about taking the captaincy back and he said 'no' and you could see the hurt on his face. Capello blind-faith in John Terry as cost him his job. He was again let down by Terry with the raciest allegations by Anton Ferdinand. I know that these have not been proven but it looks very bad for him. The FA decision to remove him as captain was the right one, however Capello should have been consulted.

Capello other mistake was the World Cup, right from the beginning they were in trouble. On the 1st July 2010 when the squad was announced it was over. As I wrote at the time the wrong players were chosen. When he was appointed he had these ideas and principles of which he did not deliver. When it came to it he picked the same deadwood players who had failed time and time again.

Other errors included his Capello index and the way in which he handled the squad was poor. All the trouble with Rooney and then Terry speaking out at press-conferences. The whole tournament was a disaster and they were shown to be a very poor side.

In some ways I feel for him as to put such faith in a player and to constantly be let down is tough. This will again apply when Terry is most likely found guilty in July. However onwards and upwards as far as England are concerned.

England Future?

The most likely man to replace Capello is that of Harry Redknapp (right). After being acquitted this morning of all charges his odds have tumbled and he is 4-7 (SkyBet) to be the new manager. Something will have to be worked out with Tottenham but I am sure that that will be done. He will probably stay at Spurs until the end of the season then take over the England job. The public and media support for him is huge. As a result I doubt any other Englishman will want it. Other names include Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink. However it is more likely that one of them will take the Tottenham job in the summer when Redknapp leaves.

I hope it goes to Redknapp as for the first time in a long time I will feel excited about England. With Capello I think all the country were not looking forward to the Euros as we would be poor again. The public have just been waiting for him to go. It also seems that either Steven Gerrard, Joe Hart or Scott Parker will be captain. Personally I would like it to be Parker. He should have been in the World Cup two years ago and if he was playing for Tottenham and not West Ham I am sure he would have been.

It is incredible that one week ago England had a captain and a manager, now they have neither and yet there is an optimism among the fans about the upcoming Euros and the future for England. That is the crazy world of football. 

Foolish Fabio Reinstates Terry As England Captain

What have you done Mr Capello?

The decision by Fabio Capello to reinstate John Terry as the England captain is one that has come under  much scrutiny and is quite honestly baffling. 

This is a man whom for me does not deserve to be in the team let alone being the captain. John Terry is a relic and a reminder of failure. He is a product of the failed World Cup squad should be shown the door. We need new, young and hungry players. The only World Cup squad members to survive should be Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney who now seems back on his game. For years the English public have seen the same team, same players and same tactics fail with different managers. It is same old England all the time. The fans have been let down by the England team so much. I do not think there is a team in which so many of the individuals in it I detest. It seems unless you indulge in adultery, have gambling problems and scandal you don't get in. I have lost all interest in England recently. This decision just cements it amateurish status.

Capello is clueless and England will never win anything with him. So many promises and claims of which none have been followed through. Terry is another classic example along with the World Cup squad. The moment the squad was announced England were doomed. His treatment of players is appalling. I am no fan of Rio Ferdinand but this is awful. To win any tournament you need a team. Team sprit is crucial and this decision does nothing for morale.

They are all pulling in different directions and are not a team. They are a group of arrogant players who couldnt give a damn no matter what they say. They have never and will never produce. As Rafa Benitez would say that is a FACT. I would rather lose with young players and different people then with these lot. They will fail again no doubt. They should qualify for Euro 2012 however they will be no where near winning it. This I have no doubt. The talk will continue but the inevitable disappointment will follow.

This fact saddens me however until things change my interest in England will remain at an incredibly subdued level.

Walcott, Johnson And Parker All Miss Out As England Announce World Cup Squad

The squad announcement today by Fabio Capello has raised eyebrows as Theo Walcott missed out along with Adam Johnson and Scott Parker. All three of which I think should have been taken, especially the latter two. Joe Cole does make the plane as does the injured Gareth Barry.

Theo Walcott has been poor of late and so in some respects it is not a surprise decision. However leaving out Adam Johnson and Scott Parker (below right) is baffling as both have proven they derserve to be there. Johnson gives you that something different, hes left footed and perfect cover if Gerrard is moved into his rightful position in the middle of midfield. Also he was brought by Manchester City in January and replaced Shaun Wright-Phillips in the team. 

What more did Parker need to do?

So how can Capello pick Wright-Phillips over him. A further problem with Wright-Phillips is that of quality, Theo Walcott is frustarating however this is bacause we know he has the ability on the world stage (as shown against Croatia) however Wright-Phillips does not and for me has not shone this season. He is incredible lucky to be there, his form has been poor also all year. I agree that Walcott has been poor however I would have taken him. 

Then there is Scott Parker. Michael Carrick has had a woeful year and Gareth Barry is a injury prone. Parker single handedly galvanised West Ham this year and was back to his best. This is a man voted player of the season, after playing with the team who finished bottom of the league. His absence is baffling. 

For me the midfield is weak. There is nothing there to worry anyone, all we have is Steven Gerrard. Joe Cole is off form while the likes of James Milner and Michael Carrick offer little in terms of an attacking threat. 

The strikers again strike little fear. Wayne Rooney is the only hope as Emile Heskey and Jermaine Defoe certainly won't be worrying any international defences. Darren Bent is unlucky to as what more can he do. They say he has not done it at international level but neither has Jermaine Defoe, I would not want a chance falling to Defoe as he has shown all year he is so irractic. I like Peter Crouch as he offers something different so glad he is in the squad. 

The central defenders are all the same, big and slow, as Mexico proved any nibble footwork and England will be cut to shreds. Our performance against the Mexicans worried me greatly as the Germans and the Spanish are far superior to them. As a result if we get through the groups and draw the Germans which is possible we will lose comfortably 4/5-0. I have no doubt about that.  

 England's future number one

In goal, for me, Capello must pick Joe Hart (left). Experience is vital as a goalkeeper however he has had a fantastic season and both Robert Green and David James are prone to errors that could cost us. He must pick Hart from the first game. Hart will be England number one for years to come I am sure. 

Also with Gareth Barry and Ledley King you could easily lose two players early on in the tournament through injuries so do not understand why they have been taken. 

As a result I fear for England's chances and can not see us progressing far. The opener against the USA is vital as I think England will seriously struggle. Dempsey is the danger man for the USA. A fit Steven Gerrard linking with Wayne Rooney is our only hope however they can not cover the weaknesses of the team. I fear more disappointment for us England fans. This squad is wrong and we will win nothing with it. I am not saying if others were picked we would win it but I like to think we are going into a tournament with the strongest possible squad of players and quite frankly we are not. We are in trouble before we have even left England.  

Full England squad:

Goalkeepers
Robert Green	West Ham United
Joe Hart	Birmingham
David James	Portsmouth
Defenders
Rio Ferdinand	Manchester United
John Terry	Chelsea
Ashley Cole	Chelsea
Glen Johnson	Liverpool
Stephen Warnock	Aston Villa
Jamie Carragher	Liverpool
Ledley King	Tottenham
Matthew Upson	West Ham
Midfielders
Steven Gerrard	Liverpool
Frank Lampard	Chelsea
Aaron Lennon	Tottenham
Shaun Wright-Phillips	Manchester City
James Milner	Aston Villa
Michael Carrick	Manchester United
Joe Cole	Chelsea
Gareth Barry	Manchester City
Forwards
Wayne Rooney	Manchester United
Emile Heskey	Aston Villa
Jermain Defoe	Tottenham
Peter Crouch	Tottenham