EPL, Premiership, English Premier League

Strapped for Success:

Following their disastrous league campaign last season which saw them finish in the 7th spot on the tables, a new day of reflection has dawned at Anfield. The best way back to the top is debated by the Liverpool faithful far and wide, but in order to really understand how to move forward, Roy Hodgson and his staff have to take a good hard look at the past. There is more than enough blame to go around, from the seemingly hapless ownership, to the spendthrift managers and staff, and the players poor performance on the pitch, each have played their part. But the true culprit behind the Reds’ downfall is financial.

Tom Hicks and George Gillett have never been loved in the stands of Anfield, but as the true scope of Liverpool’s financial problems come to light, it seems the anger was justified. It has become clear that years of mismanagement, and poor planning, have put the club years behind the Top 3 and may put them out of the Premiership entirely.

Liverpool’s most recently published accounts, for the financial year of 2009, showed the Reds’ earnings swallowed up by interest repayments of £40 million, a reported loss of almost £53 million. And this figure represents a period where there were no new signings, and overall expenditures were cut back. Without new investment it is impossible for Liverpool to ever get out from this mountain of debt.

How did it go so wrong?

The issue goes back to the way in which the club has been run over the last couple of decades. Galling as it is for fans to acknowledge, the success of Manchester United on the pitch in the Premier League era has gone hand in hand with a slick commercial operation that left the men in Liverpool jerseys far behind. By a mixture of exploiting a new Asian fan base and clever management, United are far stronger financially and as a result can sustain more debt.

For almost two decades, previous Liverpool owner David Moores struggled to bankroll the heavy net transfer spending of the club. When he ran out of money, a search for new owners began. Whether or not this was the reason for choosing the Americans, Moores placed Liverpool in the hands of men who bought a club with debt.

The simple fact is “Liverpool’s is not a long-term business model,” Philip Long of accountant PKF told theTelegraph recently. “There simply is not a happy ending to leveraged buy-outs. The burden of the interest outweighs any profits the club make, and that becomes unmanageable.”

All of which begs the question: Why would anyone want to buy Liverpool?

If no buyer can be found by the October deadline, then the prospect of administration becomes a real possibility. Beyond the crushing financial penalties this would involve, the automatic 9 point deduction, and subsequent sale of players, may be enough to knock Liverpool out of the running for a top 10 finish, or even result in a nightmare, relegation.

On the Pitch

On the pitch, there has been a lack of consistent performances from the men from Anfield. While the likes of Javier Macherano and Stephen Gerrard have been rightly praised for their efforts, in the end, the game is played with 11 men, and the others just haven’t been there. Confidence was shattered last season as they lost their way under Benitez and a seventh-place finish was their lowest for 11 years. Remember, the first team was soundly beaten by Wigan last season. If the club goes into administration, no one can say how many top players will have the confidence to stay. Roy Hodgson recently said that the Reds’ are a long way behind the top 3, how much further would they find themselves in administration?

The uncomfortable truth is that in the Premiership, financial success translates to the success on the pitch. Until Liverpool is bought by someone willing to make a large investment in the franchise, the hope for a return to the glory of the past will remain faint.

Written by: Matthew Wall Sports Correspondent for soccerpro.com

Matthew gets all his soccer jerseys at soccerpro.com

62 year old Dutchman Guus Hiddink will be meeting Chelsea players later this week. Hiddink will have a formidable challenge ahead of him as he already coaches the Russian national team. Chelsea released a statement thanking the RFU, “The club would like to take this opportunity to thank the Russian Football Union for their understanding and cooperation.” Hiddink is currently in Turkey with the Russian team; he may watch Chelsea play in the FA Cup 5th Round this coming Saturday. He will then take charge of his first game against Aston Villa Feb. 21st.
“It’s a favour for a friend. Abramovich does so much for Russian football that I wanted to give something back. He called me personally.” Abromavich was instrumental in bringing Hiddink to the Russian national team and the two have since had close contact.
The short amount of time he has with the players makes one doubt how large an impact he will have on the team. “It’s never enough time to prepare a team in one week but this is an exceptional situation. Chelsea have good players and they should be in top form and that should make my job easier.” Chelsea are currently 4 in the table 7 points below Manchester United.

Hiddink is currently on contract as a temporary manager until the end of the season; however, when asked if he would stay he said: “There are two scenarios: it goes bad and they say ‘go back east’ or it goes well, but I’m not thinking that far ahead. There will be no damage for the Russian national team, we focus now and in the future on the Russian team.”
Hiddink has said he will contact Scolari about team matters and that he currently was not intending on bringing in and new assistants. “I always want to see the situation in the team myself first before making any changes if they have to be made.”

While I believe that Hiddink is an excellent manager with extensive international club and national team experience (he has won multiple awards with PSV Eindhoven, led S. Korea to 4th place in 2002 World Cup, the Netherlands to 4th place in the 1998 World Cup, les Australia to 2nd round of World Cup, led Russia to the semi-finals of the Euro 2008, managed Fenerbache, Valencia, Real Madrid and Real Betis) I think it is safe to question this move by Chelsea. Firing Scolari this early could disrupt the team; now Chelsea will have a temporary manager before Hiddink arrives and then will have to sync with a completely new manager. Hopefully the Russian national team won’t be too much of a distraction for Hiddink, luckily for him they only have 2 games over the course of the rest of the EPL season.

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams has been sacked.
“I am a little bit surprised but results haven’t been good. I haven’t had a lot of time and I certainly haven’t had the financial backing. We’ve had a few injuries as well and that’s tough to take. I’m still up for the challenge so I’ve got mixed feelings.”

Adams’ last game in charge was during their 3-2 defeat to Liverpool while at home. “The guys worked their socks off at the weekend and I’ve really got to thank the fans. I thought they were magnificent for the whole game and were really supportive of me and the team. That gave me some inspiration and encouragement ready for the challenge ahead.”

Adams admitted that his record in no way helped him keep his job: out of 16 games Pompey only won 2.
“I don’t think the results have been good, it must be said.  We have been making a lot of mistakes. We are in the results industry and the owner and chairman will point to that. I’m not going to bang on about excuses. I think I could have turned it around but it was not to be.”

Striker David Nugent thought that Adams should’ve been given another chance:
“He gave me a chance and I was happy for him to stay. I thought he deserved a few more games but it’s the chairman’s decision and we’ll see who comes in next. “He called me aside and said I’d done well for him in the past few games, scoring a couple of goals. He wished us well for the future and just walked out; that was it really. There’s 11 teams who could go down. We have to get a bit of stability at the club, get a few wins and get out of there. I don’t have a clue about management but we need someone who can come in and is up for the scrap. The players are up for it so we just need someone who can come in and get a few wins.”

Luis Felipe Scolari, the Brazilian manager who joined Chelsea June of 2008 has been sacked by Chelsea in order “to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for”. This season Chelsea have lost 16 potential points at home and are currently in 4th place in the League. They are still in the running for the Champions League and FA Cup; Ray Wilkins will be in charge until a new manager is appointed.

“Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club with immediate effect. The Chelsea board would like to place on record our gratitude for his time as manager. Felipe has brought many positives to the club since he joined and we all feel a sense of sadness that our relationship has ended so soon. Unfortunately the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season. In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now. The search for a new manager has already started and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible”

60 year old Scolari managed Brazil to the World Cup in 2002, led Portugal to the Euro Final in 2004 and semi-finals of the World Cup in 2006. While the season started off well for him, Chelsea’s form became worse and out of 36 games in charge 20 were won, 11 drawn and 5 lost. Their record against the other members of the Big Four is poor having lost 2-1 against Liverpool twice, 2-1 against Arsenal at home, tied Manchester United 1-1 at home and lost 3-0 while away.

Chelsea winger Pat Nevin responded to questions about Scolaris departure:
“Scolari’s popularity has been plummeting in the past few weeks. The question is, who is going to be able to do it with a squad that is clearly not strong enough? This is a club that a year ago was one of the biggest in the world and quite clearly it seems to have gone downhill quite quickly. I hope for Chelsea’s sake they don’t have a knee-jerk reaction and dive for the first name that comes into their mind. They need to give it an awful lot of thought and maybe consider someone that isn’t the biggest name in the world.”

Former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has been named the new manager of Blackburn with a 3 year contract. 54 year old Allardyce’s was sacked from Newcastle January 9th; he will manage the Rovers for their next game against Stoke. Allardyce was very successful while managing the Rovers’ rivals Bolton; he established them as a solid premiership team during his 8 year stay there. “Rovers are delighted to announce the appointment of Sam Allardyce as manager.” Allardyce has also managed clubs Notts County and Blackpool.

Former Blackburn striker Kevin Gallacher commented on the sudden change:
“It is not a surprise choice. Blackburn needs someone who can put the club back together again and I think he can do that.”
At the moment the fate of Inces staff is not known.

41 year old Paul Ince joined the Rovers from MK Dons last June with a 3 year contract; while the Rovers finished 7th last season they are currently in relegation at 19th place. Rovers Chairman John Williams felt strongly that action needed to be taken to save the club: “Three wins in 17 games has seen a squad which finished seventh last season fall to 19th place. We are currently in danger of becoming detached from the pack.” Ince used to play for West Ham (1985), Manchester United (1989), Inter Milan (1995), Liverpool (1997), Middlesbrough (1999), Wolves (2002-2005). He managed bootom league club Macclesfield in 2006, appointed manager of MK Dons after they finished fourth in the 2006 season, the next season he led MK Dons to the League Two Title. He then joined Blackburn.

Graeme Souness could be considered potentially assisted by former Blackburn midfielder Tugay. Sam Allardyce and Alan Curbishley may also be considered. “The survival of the club in the Premier League is paramount and our focus is on finding a replacement who will be able to maintain our top-division status. Paul will bounce back, he is a fighter and we wish him well. The board, having selected Paul Ince back in June, were desperate for him to succeed and wanted to give him as much time as possible in the unforgiving environment of the Premier League, where time is such a precious commodity.” Blackburn have lost their last 6 games and only have 17 games left in the season.

Part-time defensive coach Nigel Winterburn commented on Ince’s departure:
“I would have loved for him to be given time in the transfer window in January to bring in his own players. I’m positive that he would have seen results improve but the board have decided that isn’t the case. I think people were starting to panic. The results have not picked up and they’ve decided they need someone else in place to drive the club forward.”

“I thought he would get a little bit more time, maybe to get into the transfer market, spend a bit of money and see how it went,” said Gallagher. “But having seen the chairman’s face on the TV at the weekend that told a massive story.

“The club have a trust fund and they have been trying to sell the club. If the club go down that’s a lot of money lost and the valuation of the club goes down as well. I think they’ve been possibly putting a lot of pressure on the board. The board have been trying to back Paul as much as they could but the display at the weekend was the final straw - the pressure told and something had to give. Unfortunately it was Paul. Who’s going to want to turn to the club now, sitting second bottom? They’re struggling a little bit, there’s not a lot of finances there, there are quite a few injuries. Steve McClaren was mentioned but he’s doing very well in Holland (at FC Twente) and I’ve heard a small rumour about Roberto Mancini, there’ll be a lot of names brandished about. The CVs that were put in a cupboard six months ago when Paul got the job will be coming back out again.”

37 year old Keane resigned as Sudnerland’s manager after 27 months in charge. Sunderland has fallen to 18th place following 5 defeats out of six matches. Sunderland’s first team coach Ricky Sbragia is temporarily in charge assisted by coaches Neil Bailey and Dwight Yorke.

Chairman Niall Quinn described Keanes departure: “Roy’s decision sums up his desire to always do what is best for the club, despite the club’s efforts to keep him. Roy deserves huge respect for his contribution and the manner in which he guided the club from the depths of the Championship back to the Premier League. His winning mentality and singled mindedness were just what this club needed. Even in his departure he has been more concerned for the welfare of the players and his staff than himself. The board has reluctantly accepted his decision and wish him and his family well for the future.”

Quinn held talks with Keane over 3 days in an attempt to persuade him to stay. “He lifted this place off its knees, he is a tremendous influence. Five weeks ago (after beating Newcastle) people were dancing in the streets of Sunderland. It’s a funny world football and I hoped I’d never have to do this day. I spoke many times about Roy and I being in a partnership and it feels like the partnership has dissolved now. I wish him real well in the future. He’ll get a bit of time to himself now to re-charge but I think we all know the Premiership hasn’t seen the last of him. He’s got great things to come.”

Prior to Sunderland’s 4-1 loss against Bolton Keane questioned his role with the club, “I ask myself every day if I’m the right man for Sunderland. I asked myself this morning and I said I was. Sunday morning, if the answer’s no, we’ll have to look at it.”

Following Keanes arrival the Black Cats spent €70 million signing 33 players. Upon their return to the Premiership the Black Cats finished in 15th place avoiding relegation by only 3 points. Roy Keane “I would like to thank my staff, players, Niall Quinn and, in particular, the fans for their support during my time at Sunderland, and I would like to wish the club every success in the future.”

Quinn commented again on Keane’s departure saying “Roy felt he had completed his journey here, and he just felt he didn’t want to get it unstuck any further and find ourselves in deeper, darker territory. That’s the measure of the guy. In situations like this, I am sure nine times out of 10 the chairman is saying how the manager was trying to keep his job. It was the other way round.”

Keane was a Republic of Ireland international who played with Manchester United. During his stay with the Red Devils he won 7 Premier League Titles, 4 FA Cup titles, and the Champions League in 1999. Keane is the 5th manager to be sacked this year.

Ronaldo described the win as “One of the most beautiful days of my life.” Ronaldo fended off 2007 winner Kaka, as other competitors such as Fernando Torres and Lionel Messi. Out of 96 journalists interviewed by Frances Football Magazine, 77 voted Ronaldo as the #1 player, and every journalist voted him in the top 5. Ronaldo scored 42 goals and led United to Premier League and Champions League trophies. He obtained 446 points out of a possible 480; Messi obtained 2nd with 281 points, Torres fell in 3rd with 179 points. Ronaldo is the 3rd Portugese player to land the trophy with previous Portugese winners including Figo and Eusebio.The last EPL player to win the trophy was Michael Owen in 2001.He is the 4th United player to win the award with Dennis Law, Bobby Charlton, and George Best all having won during the 1960’s.

Ronaldo commented on his award:

“It is one of the most beautiful days of my life. To gain this trophy is something I dreamed of as a child. Great emotion fills me but I cannot really describe it. I want to thank those who voted for me, those who know me and those who live with me. I was not worried, because I was aware of what I did in the course of the season. But to the people who mentioned my name, I say thank you. Thank you also to my team-mates. This (trophy) is one that I want to win again because it is so good. Therefore, I will wake and I will say to myself ‘I want to be even better’. I am only 23 years old and it is splendid, incredible,” he continued. There were other great names this year. I see that Lionel Messi finished second and Fernando Torres third, but also (fifth-placed) Xavi … all these people could have taken the trophy and I won it.”

Ferguson commended Ronaldo on his determination and the award. “We are very proud. Manchester United had been waiting for this for 40 years. Cristiano is in the tradition of our three other Ballons d’Or. His award is beyond all possible dispute. He is only 23 years old. His best years are ahead of him. In life, you have two categories of people. Those who reach their goal and go to bed saying to themselves ‘I made it’ and the other ones, who are driven by will, desire. These ones, when they win the trophy, they say to themselves ‘I go on’… Ronaldo has that sparkle in himself.”

After having recovering from an ankle injury during the beginning of this season Ronaldo scored 8 goals in 11 games.

Jordan Spencer, a teenager who was attacked by Joey Barton in Liverpool city center December 27th of 2007, has filed suit against Barton for the scars which are left on his face and mouth after the attack. 26 year old Barton was convicted last May of the attack which also left Spencer’s jaw broken. Barton admitted to the attack and spent 4 months in jail in May.

Spencers surgeon commented on the injury:
“The scar on Mr Spencer’s lip can be seen from six foot away. There is a (second) scar on his lip which may indicate the presence of a foreign body and damage to one of his upper left teeth which dentists have said is now dead.”

For more information about Joey Barton and his assaults:
Joey Barton: life of a true asshole

Arsene Wenger is extremely frustrated by the string of injuries that his squad has received by Stoke to the point that he suggested they intentionally injured his players. “The only intention is to hurt you and I can show some tackles where I can prove what I say. Do you think (Rory) Delap tried to play the ball when he tackled Walcott? Or that [Ryan] Shawcross tried to play the ball when he tackled Adebayor off the pitch. All the players have been injured deliberately. Adebayor will be three weeks. Walcott could be days or weeks. It is the shoulder he had the surgery on.” This just before Arsenal’s Champions League game against Fenerbahce (tied 0-0). Not only that but Robin van Persie is serving a three match ban after earning a red card against Stoke. Luckily, Gallas and Sagna may be coming back to help bolster the squad.

Tony Pullis commented on Wengers insult:
“In Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday evening Mr Wenger talked openly about Arsenal’s encounter with Stoke, as being a ‘typical English encounter’. He commended my team’s organisation, my team’s commitment and confessed that on the day Stoke City thoroughly deserved to win the game. Very open and very honest. In London 48 hours later and 150 miles away from Stoke-on-Trent, Mr Wenger changed tack and has tried to rewrite history. His comments about my team are there for everybody to read and certainly made me smile, along with I’m sure 27,000 supporters at the game, millions of TV viewers and the massed press who interviewed him after the game. Remember there was only one red card on Saturday and the last time I watched the game it certainly was not a Stoke City player who received it. I and my Football Club have tremendous respect for Mr Wenger and Arsenal football club, but as Mr Wenger is such a learned professional and on a great day in American electoral history, I would like to remind him of Abraham Lincoln’s great quotation, ‘You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time’.”

Arsenal will be playing Manchester United on Saturday.