Full-time Fletch... on new managers Klopp and Allardyce

Regardless of what happened in Jürgen Klopp’s first match as manager last weekend, Liverpool will get a boost in terms of results and performances because that’s what happens during a manager’s honeymoon period.

For Liverpool to get a guy of Klopp’s quality is huge for them. He’s got a great CV and history of success; he will undoubtedly bring a lot of energy and get his team to play at full throttle. But he will need time to implement his own brand of football, get the players fitter and perhaps tinker with the squad a little to find the individuals he needs.

There has to be patience from the board and the fans because it will take time for him to make a lasting impact. He has a tremendous personality off the pitch and comes across as a really nice guy. Klopp is a great addition to the Premier League and I’m looking forward to watching him. I hope he succeeds.

I wasn’t surprised that Brendan Rodgers was given the sack. When you’ve finished second in the league but then regressed to the point Liverpool have, especially after two summers of intense recruitment and heavy spending, then he had to go.

Liverpool’s intention is to win the league and win trophies. Could you see them doing that under Rodgers? The answer is probably no. He had ample time and often fell short in the big games.

Big Sam​

The other big managerial appointment is Sam Allardyce at Sunderland. I don’t think the club could have found a better manager for the situation they find themselves in. Big Sam is the master at getting teams set up defensively and stopping them conceding so many goals. I think he will keep them up and we’ll see Sunderland rise up the league. But he needs to shake up the players’ mentality and it will be a tough challenge for him.

How good are these guys? Man-management is their key strength —they make players over perform and play better than what’s expected of them. Some managers are good at recruitment and need to be at big clubs where they can spend millions, but the very best managers would be able to compete at any level and improve a team.

Feeling the heat​

In terms of feeling the heat, there are two other managers under pressure. Tim Sherwood at Aston Villa has got a squad with fewer players he can rely on and he’s still inexperienced as a manager. He lost their three best players over the summer and was always going to struggle to replace those.

Steve McClaren at Newcastle should still be worried despite their resounding victory over Norwich. The manner in which they have conceded goals is worrying. They seem very brittle and I think he’s under huge pressure, especially given he spent £50m+ on new players.

Chairman are prepared to make changes quickly nowadays so we shouldn’t be surprised if there are more departures in the coming weeks. That’s the way it is with modern football - as supporters we have to realise and accept that.