There are a number of changes that have taken place this summer when it comes to the management of football clubs. All of these new managers at various clubs have different challenges and targets, but how will they all do?
ANDRE VILLAS BOAS (Tottenham) – I have to feel that Villas Boas was unlucky at Chelsea. Yes he made mistakes but I think he should have been given more of a chance to make his mark at Stamford Bridge. He tried to move the old guard on, something which Chelsea need to do and instead of support from the owner, Abramovich pandered to his big names and sacked the manager instead. At Tottenham Villas Boas has a new task. Tottenham will be satisfied if they finish in the top four, where Chelsea wanted more. Having disposed of Harry Redknapp, Levy has backed the young manager who has such great success at Porto.
However Vilas Boas will have a tricky task on his hands to finish in the top four when the club lose Luka Modric. The signings of Vertonghen and Sigurdsson are positives but perhaps not enough to maintain the position they achieved last term. I expect Villas Boas to do a good job at Tottenham but their squad looks a little short up front and the midfield may lose control without Modric. I think Tottenham will miss out on a top four finish this year.
BRENDAN ROGERS (Liverpool) – Rogers was an overwhelming success at Swansea last season and impressed everybody with the style of football his side produced and the results it achieved. He appears to have been drawn to the history of Liverpool because you have to feel that had he waited for another couple of years he could have had a bigger job. Liverpool look like a mid table side. The squad looks thin and lacking in serious quality. At the back, Agger continues to be linked to Manchester City. If Liverpool keep him the defence is the strongest part of their game. Further forward Liverpool have decent forwards. Borini is a decent striker who should see Liverpool finish in the Europa League places. Suarez has ability but needs to score more goals to justify the trouble he causes and the hype surrounding him. In midfield Liverpool look distinctly average and this is Brendan Rogers’ biggest task.
Rogers wants Liverpool to play in the same style as Barcelona and Spain. Unfortunately he simply doesn’t have the players at his disposal. Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, Jonjo Shelvey, Jay Spearing and Lucas do not have the skills to play in the way Swansea played last year. Steven Gerrard is an all action midfielder rather than a technical passer in the midfield. Rogers has brought Joe Allen with him who should be able to provide the kind of play he desires. However all round, Brendan Rogers task looks a tough one. He will struggle to drag Liverpool any higher than the Europa League places and they may well have a battle on for those with Tottenham, Everton and Newcastle all in the mix.
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