Liverpool Set to Appoint Brendan Rodgers as Their New Manager
By Bleachersreport
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Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal with Brendan Rodgers to become their new manager, with the young Swansea coach set to sign a three-year deal at Anfield.
According to BBC Sport, Rodgers was always the club's preferred candidate to take over from Kenny Dalglish, who was sacked earlier this month after a disappointing campaign saw Liverpool finish eighth in the Premier League.
The 39-year-old Rodgers arrives with a glowing reputation, having steered Swansea from the Championship to a highly creditable first season in England's top flight.
Swansea exceeded expectations to finish in the relative comfort of 11th, enjoying victories over Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool along the way.
They also earned plaudits for their attractive passing game, which has prompted flattering comparisons to Pep Guardiola's masterful Barcelona.
As fate would have it, Rodgers' last game in charge was Swansea's 1-0 victory against Liverpool on the last day of the season.
He now takes on the task that ultimately proved too big for Dalglish—to return Liverpool to glories past.
It won't be easy, not least when you consider the weight of affection the club's fans have for King Kenny and the number who wanted him to stay.
Even those who wanted him out will take some winning over.
Rodgers' first task will be shaping his squad for next season. He'll need the support of Liverpool's American owners, Fenway Sports Group, in the transfer market and will surely be looking for new recruits.
Then there's the tactical stance to evaluate. If Rodgers is to get Liverpool playing like Swansea, he's got a lot of work to do in a very short period of time. He'll also have to wait until July to get his Euro 2012 players back.
Rodgers is no novice, but he hasn't known anything like the weight of expectancy that will fall on his shoulders at Anfield.
How he handles it will define not just the next chapter of his career, but the next chapter of one of the world's most loved and storied football clubs.
In the meantime, it's over to Liverpool's ever-vocal and passionate fans to play judge and jury to his appointment and decide whether to get behind their new manager next season.
Liverpool have gone bold and gone for promise over proven credentials with Rodgers.
It could prove a masterstroke. Or we could be back here in six months debating who will replace him.
continued, with UPDATE.....
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