LIverpool have been moderately successful under the auspices of Rafa. The Champions League victory in 2005, in such dramatic circumstances is something that has eluded some of the best managers in the world, most notably a one Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. Liverpool followed their Champions League win with arguably an even more dramatic F.A Cup win the following year.
Whilst many predicted that it was only a matter of time for Benitez and Liverpool to win the Premier League title, a stagnation has set in this season that has seen Liverpool fail to make even the most minimum of expectations, Champions League qualification.
What has happened to Liverpool under the guidance of Rafael Benitez shares strong parallels with the Steve Bruce era at Birmingham City. A start that promised so much, promotion to the Premier League after 16 years of absence followed by three years of consistency and growth came crashing down in one foul swoop in the 2005-2006 season. Relegation for Birmingham that season was like going ten steps back after taking 9 forward. Although not the same ultimate result, Benitez has seen Liverpool grow under his leadership only for it to come crashing down over the last 12 months.
Shared Destinies
One bad season should not define a career at a club, yet this is the beginning of the end for Benitez. Despite Steve Bruce launching a successful promotion campaign with Birmingham following the season after relegation, calls for him to leave were growing louder and louder. Stagnation and Staleness had set in to the football club, not entirely through faults of Bruce, rather a combination of factors. Plans for a new stadium were at best floundering, rumours of boardroom unrest were rife, and supporters cried out for serious investment. Sounds familiar? For Birmingham 2005-2007 see Liverpool 2008-2010.
Bruce is now continuing to build his profile, and in many eyes has the potential to one day manage Manchester United, although tactical awareness will always hold Bruce back. Birmingham have been revitalised by Alex Mcleish and a takeover, seeing the stagnation swept away to be replaced by a new era of exciting optimism. This is inevitably the path that Liverpool will be forced to take. A new board will soon arrive, a new manager too, and that in itself will be enough to breath new life into the staleness that has tarnished The Reds this season.
In football if you dont move forward you move back. Standing still is essentially moving back as every other team progresses forwards. For many Liverpool have started to stand still, therefore a change needs to happen. Not because Benitez is a bad manager, or because Liverpool are a bad team. Far from it. But if nothing changes, nothing changes. And in football, if a change comes, its a safe bet to say it'll be the manager on his way.
Photo: PA
