Brendan Rodgers sacked as Liverpool manager

Brendan Rodgers has been sacked as Liverpool manager, the club have confirmed.

Rodgers leaves the club after just one win in the last nine games in all competitions, the final match being Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Everton – the fifth 1-1 draw in the last six games.

The 41-year-old was reportedly told within an hour of today’s 1-1 draw, both in person by chief executive Ian Ayre and on the phone by director Michael Gordon.

The Northern Irishman joined Liverpool FC in June 2012 and helped the club mount a memorable title challenge in his second season.

LFC’s ownership have paid tribute and thanked Rodgers for his contribution.

“We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Brendan Rodgers for the significant contribution he has made to the club and express our gratitude for his hard work and commitment,” a joint statement from Fenway Sports Group the principal owner John W Henry, chairman Tom Werner and president Mike Gordon, said.

“All of us have experienced some wonderful moments with Brendan as manager and we are confident he will enjoy a long career in the game.

“Although this has been a difficult decision, we believe it provides us with the best opportunity for success on the pitch. Ambition and winning are at the heart of what we want to bring to Liverpool and we believe this change gives us the best opportunity to deliver it.

“The search for a new manager is underway and we hope to make an appointment in a decisive and timely manner.”

Rodgers was appointed as Liverpool boss on June 1, 2012, succeeding Kenny Dalglish.

He led the club to a seventh place in his first season, one better than the previous season, before leading an unexpected second place finish the following season, earning a return to the Champions League for the first time in five years.

That was followed by a disappointing sixth place finish last season.

Rodgers leaves the club as the first manager not to have won a trophy in three full seasons in charge since the 1950s.

Early frontrunners for Rodgers’ replacement include Jurgen Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti and Frank de Boer.