London, June 1 (IANS/RIA Novosti) English football club Liverpool officially unveiled former Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers as their new head coach here Friday.
With the appointment of the 39-year-old, Liverpool is embarking on a slow but steady mission to re-anchor itself among England’s top four clubs.
Part of that process was the departure of Anfield hero Kenny Dalglish, who was fired last month after a second stint as manager that ended in disappointment, with the Reds finishing in eighth place, 27 points off champions Manchester City.
Rodgers rose to prominence this season by taking Swansea to 11th in their maiden appearance in the Premier League, just five points behind Liverpool.
“Rodgers … is regarded as being at the forefront of a new generation of football coaches, an excellent tactician and motivator with a progressive philosophy,” a website statement said.
Rodgers, from Carnlough in Northern Ireland, is also charged with overseeing “new football operations” to set the club on its path back to the top, the statement said.
“I’m blessed to be given this opportunity. I’m really excited and I can’t wait to get started on this incredible project going forward. I promise to dedicate my life to fight for this club and defend the great principles of Liverpool Football Club on and off the field,” Rodgers said.
Liverpool’s principal owner John Henry warned that “we do not expect miracles overnight and nor should anyone else”.
“But we firmly believe that the direction the club is heading in will lead to Premier League championships,” he said “We will embrace the unconventional, build the right way and together set a bold, exciting course for this historic club.”
The Reds, five-time European champions won the last of their 18 titles in 1990, were overtaken as England’s most successful club domestically by Manchester United in 2011, when the Red Devils claimed their 19th crown.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
abr/dg
