Former chief executive Rick Parry says qualifying for the Champions League is the minimum requirement for Liverpool's next manager.The Reds are hunting for a replacement for Kenny Dalglish after his sacking, having finished eighth in the league.
“You first of all set the criteria very tightly. From my experience, that led us to a shortlist of one”
"We always said to be in the Champions League isn't a goal, it's a minimum requirement," Parry told BBC Sport.
"It's tougher now but I don't think it was unrealistic to at least be looking at being in contention last year."
Parry, who was at Anfield for 11 years between 1998 and 2009, was responsible for the appointments of Gerard Houllier and Rafael Benitez.
He added: "If you look at the criteria we applied when we appointed Gerard and Rafa they were a little different, even in that five-year period.