They must have thought it would be easy to fill the void left by the recently-sacked Kenny Dalglish in the Anfield dugout, yet so far Liverpool's managerial targets have been dropping like flies.
Ajax boss Frank de Boer has become the latest boss to rule himself out of a switch to the Reds, joining Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Brendan Rodgers in saying 'thanks, but no thanks' to club owner's FSG.
Now, John W. Henry is set to choose between Roberto Martinez and Andre Villas-Boas to take the hot seat, or opt for a blast from the past with Rafa Benitez.