Defeat may be last straw for Aldo - March 12,
2001
Yesterday's FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Liverpool may mark the end of former Republic of Ireland international John Aldridge's managerial career at Tranmere.
The Irishman was gutted by the 4-2 beating at the hands of his former club and boyhood idols - and he may not have the stomach for yet another relegation battles at Prenton Park.
Aldo, who watched Liverpool from the Kop as a youngster, was bitterly disappointed at the end of Tranmere's Cup dream - particularly as he felt his side should have had a spot-kick immediately before Robbie Fowler clinched Liverpool's win from the penalty spot eight minutes from time.
The ball struck Markus Babbel's arm in the Liverpool box - and Aldo said: "I felt it was a penalty - then they went down the other end and got one themselves. The referee had a good game but one bad decision could have cost us a replay."
Back in January, Aldo admitted that he had been on the point of quitting Tranmere because of the lack of funds for new players and the constant struggle to stay in division one. But chairman Lorraine Rogers persuaded him to take a holiday instead - and the 3-0 FA Cup hammering of Premier side Everton that month revived his spirits.
Now the defeat by Liverpool could have the opposite effect - and with Rovers still rooted to the bottom of division one, it could spell the end of his ten-year stint at Prenton Park.