BRENDAN RODGERS has called for the introduction of a transfer window for managers to try to eliminate the mid-season “chaos” that unfolds whenever one loses their job.
Rodgers described Leicester City’s recent decision to part with title-winning boss Claudio Ranieri as a sign that “the soul of football has disappeared” and hoped that by restricting changes in the dug-out to the close season and January – as is the case with players – it would provide greater stability for those doing the job.
“Social media and mainstream media make it very difficult for coaches and managers,” said the Celtic manager.
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“It wouldn’t be too disadvantageous for managers to have a transfer window too. Players have it and I think it brings some organisation to the chaos and it could be done for managers. I wouldn’t be surprised if, in the future, that’s the case. If we don’t have that you lose the qualities of people.”
Ranieri’s dismissal by Leicester came just nine months after he had led them to a hugely unexpected Barclays Premier League title and then into the last 16 of the Champions League. Rodgers believes it is a further sign that football management has become an increasingly precarious vocation.
“It shows you that there is no loyalty in football,” he added. “It’s all about money. That aspect of loyalty has gone and the soul of football has disappeared. It’s still a wonderful and incredible game, but football has become materialistic. There are a lot of values that are slowly slipping away.
“I think from a manager’s perspective I am resigned to the fact that my plan to manage for 1000 games or until I’m 60, I might have three or four jobs in that period. That’s why I don’t get too carried away when we win or too disappointed when we lose. One day you walk on water, the next you’re the devil. That’s how it works – and as long as you know that. Thankfully I’m well into my career now so I respect and understand that.”
Rodgers in his first season in charge at Celtic is on course to become only the third manager in the club’s history to win a treble, following in the footsteps of Jock Stein and Martin O’Neill. Celtic have are also yet to lose a domestic match this season and have a 27-point lead at the top of the Premiership. Rodgers, though, knows from experience that will all count for nothing if Celtic are somehow struggling early next season.
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“I think where I’m fortunate here is that the board ooze quality,” he added. “There’s a strategy in place here for how they want to work which was one of the big attractions for me coming in. So that then allows me to get on with my work and improve the football club.
“Does that take away any pressure I would be under [if the team was struggling]? No. I had it before at Liverpool. We reached the Champions League for the first time in five or six seasons, played some of the best football in Europe, were scoring goals – one of the few in the league to score 100 goals – got offered a new deal and signed for four years - everything was great. Then a couple of months later there were cries for me to be out. So it could well happen here.
“We could have a good season, win a double or treble, go unbeaten, whatever. But the way modern society works there could be a clamour for me to be out by September [if things aren’t going well]. What can you do? You can only do your best.”
In the English market, in particular, patience seems to be in the shortest of supply. Rodgers dismisses the notion that can be traced to foreign owners lording over unrealistic expectations – as has been the accusation at Leicester City – and believes it is more just the way of things in the modern-day, social media-driven, instant-reaction era.
“I wouldn’t solely put it down to foreign owners as I have seen plenty of British businessmen sack managers quickly as well,” he said. “I think the timeline on a manager now is just over a year, according to the latest LMA [League Managers Association] figures. Over 60 per cent of them don’t get a second chance in management. So it’s becoming extremely difficult.”
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