During his time here, Pako was always seen as the one who was available to the players. The one who was approachable, the one who was willing to put the perverbial arm around the shoulder. Now with Pako gone, will Rafa develop this into his coaching. Rafa is often perceived to be colder one and bases his relationship with his players as strictly business like. Will we see a softer more friendly Rafa this season?
I hope he doesn't change too much. We are heading slowly in the right direction all the time. A change in personality could be a really bad thing now. I don't think that anyone would have enough respect for a soft boss
I think we've seen a whole new Rafa this season already. As you say, he always kept the players at a distance but since the end of last season I think he has been a lot more outspoken and aggressive than we've seen him before, with the verbal "attack" on club policies after the Champions League final & having a go at the FA / Premier League about the Heinze affair, early kick offs etc It's like he has decided to take no crap from anyone and I'm delighted to see it - sick of seeing Wenger, Ferguson & especially Maureen with their seige mentality and I swear it is influencing decisions. To answer your question mate, no I don't think he will become softer, he will simply get someone to fill this role from within Anfield & carry on as he is
I didn't mean to imply a dramatic change in personality or for him to become a pushover by any means. I just meant that we Pako gone we might see a more hands on approach form Rafa. He doesnt want to be their friend but some players need that comfort. Cisse always seemed to be one of those players, even Gerrard to an extent. They like to feel wanted and loved. Pako was that person. Rafa might need to implement this into his coaching to get he best out of his men.
That's what i presumed but didn't he say he wouldn't be replacing Pako unitl the end of the season? Can anyone see a shock return for Sammy Lee next season, if his venture at Bolton turns sour.
I heard he wasn't going to fill the role at all. Do it all himself. I'd say Rafa finds it hard to trust someone to have the same ideals as he has. He was with Pako 12 years and as we all know from what he has done with Liverpool regarding fitness etc., he will be a hard man to replace.
Rafa is ruthless and ambitious. No smucks are going to ruin his bid for the title look at the situation with Gerrard/England, if Gerrard plays in both games and gets injured worse than he already is, i wouldn't like to be the FA, McClown and Gerrard if it does happen...
Lads think ye are missing my point. I agree Rafa is ruhtless, headstrong etc.. All qualities i admire in him. I was just commenting on how Pako's departure is a big big loss. He was the person who the players went to and talked to. He's the one the gives them the pats ont he back etc. Losing that balance between both Pako and Rafa is dissappointing. They were like a good marriage.
If the rumours are true then you may have touched on one of the problems there Dave, have heard that he was getting TOO close to some of the players and that it was coming across badly when team selections were being discussed I was very concerned when I first heard about Pako's departure, however I think the whole background to the club has been completely re-structured and the feeling is his responsibilities will be shared / spread out as opposed to him being directly replaced. Remember Rafa already brought in a new fitness coach in the summer, something that was bound to get under Pako's skin so perhaps he knew what he was doing Sammy wouldn't be a bad shout, his strenghts are obviously in coaching and I'm not sure he is cut out for management - he could very well be looking for a new job shortly but would he go back to a coaching position, he is very ambitious
rafa is not hiring a new assistant i believ but giving alex miller a more hands on role but more importantly guillem balague was saying that pako was the only guy who said no to rafa.He was the one who said maybe some ideas are off the wall there rafa and no one is there to do that now. A side point,pako was responsible for the fitness of the players and credited with us being fitter than most at the end of the season but rafa took more at training pre season and we hit the start running unlike previous years.just a thought