GRAEME SOUNESS SAYS Louis van Gaal needs to secure Champions League football for Man United this season in order to have any hope of continuing as manager of the club, and feels that Ryan Giggs would be the ideal candidate to take over if the veteran Dutch manager does step down.
Souness, who knows what it feels like to manage a club with high expectations having taken over at Liverpool during a difficult transitional phase in the early 90s, believes the current Man United assistant boss deserves the chance to be the main man at Old Trafford.
“If he were to leave, I’d give it to Giggs,” he tells The42. “He’s worked under three managers now. He’d have his own thoughts and ideas. They’ve tried two very big names — one a domestic big name and another an internationally famous coach. I think now’s the time to try something else.
But there’s not a quick fix at Man United. It’s not about a magic coach turning up and producing something on the training ground. It’s about getting better players in. That’s why recruitment’s so important in the modern game — because people want results instantly.”
And while Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with the Man United job of late, Souness feels there is little chance of the Special One being at Old Trafford next season.
“The Decision makers at Man United don’t fancy him,” he says. “That’s the single biggest reason (why he won’t be their manager). He’s one of the elite managers/coaches out there. He’d be in the top five in the world. So he’d have to be a candidate. But I think there are some people at Man United that don’t fancy him.”
Moreover, as someone who made over 200 appearances for Liverpool, Souness is better placed than most to comment on the club’s current fortunes. This year, the 62-year-old Scot has been less than impressed with what he’s seen at Anfield.
I think the season has been about one step forward two steps back. The inconsistency comes about because they don’t have the best squad. They’ve got a good squad, but they don’t have a top squad.
“Man United are in the same boat. They’ve been up and down, hit or miss. That’s not what you want if you’re looking to win the league title. You don’t want your team to be a bit erratic.
“But hopefully, in Liverpool’s case, they’ve maybe got their tail up a bit now. They played United last week and played very well. I fully expect it to be a very different game tonight at Old Trafford. I think Man U will come after them and maybe look a different team, but I think Liverpool will score and ultimately go through.”
Souness has no complaints about the current set-up at Liverpool at board level, suggesting that a transfer committee is a good idea in theory, but feels having the right personnel is ultimately key to its success (or lack thereof).
I can understand the principle of having a transfer committee. In the modern game, the way it’s evolved, managers can be there for such a short time, you’re thinking what will the structure behind that manager put in place. Will it change and make us strong?
“A key part of the jigsaw is the people you put on to that transfer committee. They have to be knowledgeable, they have to be good at their job. It’s important the personnel you’ve got to do those jobs on those committees are top people who understand football.”
The Sky Sports pundit also feels the club were right to backtrack after initial plans to increase ticket prices in certain sections of Anfield led to widespread anger and stadium walkouts.
It’s very hard for the supporters looking at it any differently than the clubs being greedy. There’s even more money coming in to the Premier League from television from all over the world and yet they’d been asked to stump up again.
“I think some of that money that’s come through the club should be passed on to supporters. The prices should have been going down rather than up.”
Carlsberg Gives Fans the chance to watch their team in France with Massive Euros Ticket Giveaway
Liverpool legend, Graeme Souness, showcased the most coveted trophy in European Football to fans in Belfast today while announcing Carlsberg’s Euro’s Ticket Giveaway
Belfast, 16th March, 2016: Carlsberg’s ambassador, Graeme Souness, was in Belfast today with the UEFA Euro 2016 Trophy to announce Carlsberg’s Probably the biggest Euro ticket giveaway in Ireland with over 1,100 tickets up for grabs. To enter go to Facebook.com/Carlsberg or visit participating outlets over the next 6 weeks.
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