Saturday, April 04, 2009

McParland To Oversee Academy Revolution

When Rafa Benitez revealed last week that Frank McParland would be returning to Liverpool to oversee a much-needed review of the club’s academy it added another layer of confirmation to the belief that the Reds boss is far from happy with the youth set-up at his disposal.

But it also confirmed just how highly Benitez regards McParland, who was Liverpool’s chief scout before joining Sammy Lee for a brief spell at Bolton in 2007.

Anyone who knows McParland will know that he is a forthright individual who holds strong views about the way football should be played and clubs should perform. He is definitely nobody’s yes man.

He is also a massive Liverpool fan who has been a regular at Reds matches even since leaving the club a couple of years ago.

In this respect, his appointment – even though it remains a temporary one at this stage – is similar to Lee’s at the end of last season.

Benitez clearly believes that the combination of vast football knowledge, a bulging contacts book and a love for Liverpool is a potent one as he looks to reshape the club.

And if McParland makes even half the impact that Lee has made then he will have done one hell of a job.

No comments: