According to reports from The Independent this afternoon, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has bemoaned Liverpool’s decision to sack Brendan Rodgers, describing it as ‘very sad’.
The Northern Irishman was relieved of his duties as Anfield boss following a 1-1 draw with Everton last Sunday – although the decision to sack him is believed to have been made some time ago and irrespective of the result in the Merseyside derby.
He oversaw 166 games in charge of the Reds and picked up the LMA Manager of the Year award in 2014 after guiding them to second place in the Premier League, falling just two points short of title winners Manchester City.
But Liverpool disappointingly finished in sixth place last term and started the current campaign slowly, picking up just eight points from their first eight games to leave them in 10th.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, however, has revealed his surprise and disappointment in seeing Rodgers leave the club.
As quoted by The Independent, he told French outlet beIN sport;”Let’s not forget Liverpool has not won the championship since 1990. They won 18 championships and since 90 they have not won the championship. They came the closest to winning it two years ago and now I don’t know why really, the rational reasons why they have made that decision so quickly. It’s difficult for me to understand.
“I’m surprised because first of all for me it’s very sad. I think when you lose your job in life, it’s difficult and on top of that after eight games it’s very, very difficult because if you start well and you have a bad moment during the season, people forgive you. But if you start wrong straight away you are questioned and that’s what happened to Brendan Rodgers.”
Liverpool, on the other hand, have already moved on. They confirmed the appointment of former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp yesterday evening and his first press conference was held earlier today – the predominant highlight being the German describing himself as ‘the normal one‘.