2 Manager, 2 Clubs, 2 Very Different Paths
Two of the Premier Leagues top managers have had their fair share of media attention as of late. Though the drama that has surrounded that of Beckham or Ronaldo wont be overshadowed by that of the constant struggles of Rafa Benitez or Guus Hiddink, their latest tousles with club management are of equal interest and importance.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who has been hailed as one of the world’s best, especially after bringing home two Championsl league crowns to the Mersyside club, has been embroiled in a truly nasty fight with the Red’s top brass. It seems that owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are prepared to offer the Spaniard a new deal, thought with some exceptions.
As manay managers in the league would note, their title of “manager” is just that, a coach/ trainer mixed with the duties of what we’d refer to as the GM. Manchester Unite’s manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, is famous for his relationship with his players and his scouting of players that he’d see fit to join United. It was just this very relationship and his role as head of transfers that brought then Sporting Lisbon starlet Cristiano Ronaldo to the Theatre of Dreams.
Now however, it remains to be seen if Benitez will ever be given the responsibility of naming his own transfers, though it seems as if he’d be very keen on the idea. He noted, ”Who will know how the money should be spent? One person, the manager, because he knows who he wants for his squad. Who will know the value of the player? The manager.”
If Benitez does sign a new contract, expect one hell of a struggle before either party is satisfied.
The same, oddly enough, cannot be said for fellow Big Four rival Cheslea, who were handily beaten by the Reds not a few weeks ago at the hands of another Spaniard, Fernando Torres. The Blues, who recently sacked manager Luis Felippe Scolari have signed current Russian national side manager Guus Hiddink to what seems like more of a loan deal than a real contract.
Hiddink, famous for his World Cup exploits with South Korea and Australia, helped his Russian side to an amazing Euro 2008 run in Austria and Switzerland. Now, it seems, Russian owner Roman Abramovich wants to take him from the helm of the national team for a more permanent place at Stamford Bridge, much to the shagrin of the Dutchman.
While giving his first press conference, he noted, “I will help out until the end of the season - only to the end of the season,” he asserted. “I have my full-time commitment with the Russian national team, which I will fulfil.”
This situation to remains somewhat of enigma as he to will be seated in the dugout this coming weekend when Chelsea favce Aston Villa at Villa Park. In the end, it seems slightly ironic that such a decorated manager be given the proverbial slap on the wrist, just as another has been literally begged by his top brass to stay.
Stay tuned…
Peter Herrnreiter
