Now Roy Hodgson appears to be ready to sign a contract to become Liverpool manager, fans of the Anfield club need to adapt their expectations if they want the club to get out of the mess they are now in.
Did Rafa Benitez over-achieve in his six years in charge? A Champions League victory, an FA cup win, as well as another Champions League final appearance and a League Cup final loss, would point to a decent level of success. Finishing runners up in the Premier League in 2009 pointed to a club that, on the field at least, was heading in the right direction. However, failure to qualify for the Champions League in 2010, never mind failing to mount another title challenge, show that question marks still remain over Benitez's tenure.
The most remarkable point may be the Spaniard's own admission that Liverpool still needed half a dozen world class performers. For a new incumbent, this almost comes as standard as the new manager tries to extract the biggest transfer budget from the boardroom. For someone in their sixth year in the job, having spent many, many millions, you have to wonder what they have been playing at. Players like Babel, Lucas, Riera have failed to impress, while an even greater concern could be the lack of talent coming through the academy. While Arsenal poached Fabregas and turned him into a world class playmaker, players like N'gog, El Zhar and Nemeth have failed to offer any hint of potential. Yet Benitez continued with them.
Liverpool need investment, an investment of money AND time. Hodgson is an expert at training ground drilling, running through the same scenarios and plays to get a highly organised outfit. With the special talent of Torres and Gerrard, the loveable Londoner should get more out of the team than Rudderless Rafa, but to expect titles and trophies with the current playing squad is asking far too much.
In the long term, a season or two out of the spotlight may be beneficial. The Americans may be forced to drop their price, especially if RBS decide to exert some pressure. A lower price, new ownership, less pressure, and the boys in Red can start the climb back to glory.
Without the transfer budget to entice a top class manager, the last thing Liverpool needs is to start hiring and firing managers with a narrow, short term view. But if Hodgson is to succeed he needs patience from the fans and the belief of the players. While Roy may not lead them to the holy grail of a Premiership title, he can get the club back on the right track, ready for the next man
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