Published Friday, 01 June 2012
Having been unveiled as Liverpool's new boss on a three year deal, Carnlough man Rodgers will be hoping to turn around the Anfield club's fortunes after a mixed campaign last season in which they won the Carling Cup and reached the final of the FA Cup but finished a disappointing 8th place in the league.
The former Watford, Reading and Swansea manager looks to have the backing of the majority of Liverpool fans in Northern Ireland but will there be the same level of support from the Kop?
Last season was underwhelming for the Reds with 'King Kenny' delivering just 6 wins at home all season. If the Anfield legend's successor is to get the fans onside he will need to improve on that record as soon as possible. In order to do this Rodgers will need to embed his football philosophy tactfully and rapidly.
Swansea won many plaudits last season for their style of play under the thirty-nine year old. It will surely have been the main factor Fenway Sports Group (FSG) took into consideration when they offered him the job.
Another is that Rodgers knows how to get the best out of young players. The Northern Irishman first came to prominence when working at Reading's academy, indeed he did such a good job that he was headhunted by the Special One, Jose Mourinho, to oversee Chelsea's academy in 2004.
Youth development is clearly part of the plan moving forward and something that will appeal to the new manager's employers.
As owners of the Boston Red Sox Major League Baseball team FSG used the 'Moneyball' system to great effect in delivering the World Series in 2007. The idea of Moneyball, as I understand it, is this; to produce and coach young athletes, see them through to fulfilling their potential and eventually sell them at the point their monetary value is at its peak but further growth and potential is limited.
Given his background Brendan Rodgers is the perfect appointment if this is how FSG are going to run Liverpool.
However, the idea of Moneyball may not be as effective in the Barclays Premier League as it is in MLB. For that reason Rodgers will need some backing in the transfer window if he is to be a success on Merseyside.
So many of Liverpool's players underperformed last season and it is not yet known how well the current squad will adapt to Rodgers' style of play. Hopefully the Anfield faithful will give Rodgers the time he needs to rebuild Liverpool to the club it once was and re-introduce the type of possession based free flowing football which brought them so much success during the 1970s and '80s.
Being manager of Liverpool is one of the toughest tasks to undertake in football. The pressure of recapturing past glories is enough to discourage anyone from taking the job but IF you can deliver a first league title for over 20 years you can become a legend.
Brendan Rodgers has a long way to go before he achieves Liverpool folklore and many would consider that one good season in the Premier League does not merit a move to an institution such as Liverpool but the former Swans manager's potential is clear for all to see.
Congratulations to Brendan, he has done unbelievably well to get this far and, with a bit of luck, his impressive rise will continue and he will do well at Liverpool.
However, as a Man United fan, I personally hope he doesn't do too well.