Fallen Liverpool boss not an outrageous choice for England

Liverpool’s owners lost patience with him, but Brendan Rodgers’ reputation in the game clearly hasn’t suffered terribly.

Afforded more time, Rodgers may yet have rescued Liverpool from the regression endured since that near title miss 18 months ago, we’ll never know.

Even in the immediate aftermath of his Anfield departure, where Klopp-mania has laid siege to the airwaves, Rodgers can take great heart.

The Telegraph reports the axed Reds boss has already leapt onto a shortlist to replace Roy Hodgson in the England hot seat, should the current Three Lions boss leave his post.

In fact, Rodgers has shot straight to the head of the betting with Ladbrokes, where he can be backed at 13/2 to become Hodgson’s successor.

While this may raise an eyebrow or two, it’s actually quite understandable and not just because he’s the second trophy-less Liverpool manager since the 1950s after Hodgson either.

Rather the former Swansea manager probably ticks a fair few other boxes in the FA’s book.

He’s not English, but being British is the next best thing in light of the two high-profile experiments with foreign managers, the second of which ended more acrimoniously than the first.

Moreover, it’s Rodgers’ reputation as an astute tactician and his philosophy of possession football that ought to translate effectively to the international stage.

His breed of attractive keep-ball, which is more in tune with the continent, while in charge at Swansea put Rodgers right in the shop window, where Liverpool were compelled to take the plunge over some far weightier names.

For decades, a lack of identity in England’s game and an inability to recycle possession as effectively as other top sides has been among the heaviest criticisms when tournaments inevitably push the boundaries of misery.

Rodgers showcased his tactical acumen brilliantly during a difficult period last season, where his switch to a 3-4-3 formation proved a masterstroke, setting Liverpool on a 13-match unbeaten run.

Another string to his bow in terms of England is his cultivation of some of the Three Lions’ brightest young talents as Liverpool manager.

Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling wreaked havoc in Rodgers’ class of 2013/14, while Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne, Adam Lallana and Three Lions newbie Danny Ings are all familiar with his work.

Perhaps Rodgers himself has no lust for international football at this stage in his career but, if he does fancy it, surely the Northern Irishman has greater appeal than player-turned-pundit-turned-part-time-coach Gary Neville at 7/1.

No matter what the sport, it seems England teams and inquests go hand in hand after major tournaments, so if there is another following Euro 2016 and Rodgers is still jobless, the face may fit.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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