King Kenny: Dalglish brought in to lure Roy Hodgson or Martin
O'Neill to Liverpool... but don't rule HIM out of a sensational return
Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish will spearhead the search for
Liverpool’s new manager after Rafa Benitez’s six-year reign finally
ended on Thursday.
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson and Aston Villa’s
Martin O’Neill top the list of targets but Dalglish is understood to be
interested in taking over himself at the club where he enjoys iconic
status.
Dalglish readily accepted the role of kingmaker, in
conjunction with managing director Christian Purslow, after Benitez was
sent packing with a pay-off in excess of £4million.
Kingmaker: Kenny Dalglish will have a huge say
on the identity of Liverpool's next boss - the Scot himself could could
make a sensational return to Anfield
Last night he was urged to take control of the crisis club by former
Liverpool stars and fans. Phil Thompson, who was hired by Dalglish in
1986 as Liverpool’s reserve team coach, said. ‘I can see the logic in a
Dalglish appointment – until there are new owners.
‘Of course I
would support Kenny. He was a good team-mate, a good manager. He won
the title with Blackburn Rovers. He’s still very passionate about
football. So I can see where that would fit in.’
After a
troubled end to the Benitez era, marked by rows with his Anfield bosses
and a worsening relationship with key senior players, Liverpool are
eager to restore order and stability behind the scenes.
They
want an established, experienced coach, with an understanding of Europe
and ability to cope with pressure, and believe Hodgson fits the bill on
all fronts.
In the frame: Martin O'Neill (left) and
Roy Hodgson - who both masterminded 3-1 victories over Liverpool last
season - are on the shortlist to replace Rafa Benitez
While an approach has yet to be made, Liverpool have been heartened
by an early indication that Hodgson, 62, would welcome a move to Anfield
and, unlike Benitez, would not need substantial transfer funds to
revive their fortunes next season.
Benitez dismissed as
inadequate a summer budget of no more than £15m, but Fulham boss Hodgson
would back himself to get the best out of players already at his
disposal.
The former Inter Milan coach has transformed Fulham from
relegation strugglers to European trailblazers and has a track record
for working easily and successfully with foreign players.
Hodgson
is on a 12-month rolling contract with the London club, and
compensation
should be no more than £2m.
Just think about the £4m, Rafa: Benitez looked
glum on holiday at Porto Cervo in Sardinia as he reflected on losing his
job... but the compensation deal and a new challenge at Inter Milan
could help
O’Neill will also figure prominently on Dalglish’s list and would
jump at the chance of restoring Liverpool’s tarnished reputation after
becoming increasingly concerned by dwindling transfer funds at Aston
Villa.
The Villa manager has tried to find some common ground
with American owner Randy Lerner over the level of investment needed
but he might be easily prised away
from the club.
Former
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes is another who will feature on the
shortlist, while Galatasaray’s Frank Rijkaard, Turkey coach Guus Hiddink
and Bayern Munich’s Louis van Gaal head the likely list of foreign
candidates.
Double Dutch: Louis van Gaal (left) - who
won the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and reached the Champions League with
Bayern Munich - and Turkey coach Guus Hiddink are also in consideration
But former Liverpool stars Thompson and Mark Lawrenson believe
Dalglish could also fill the role himself.
Thompson, who was
speaking at the Standard Chartered ‘Beat the Goalie’ competition in
London, raising money to treat the blind or partially sighted, added
that
the appointment of Dalglish could persuade star players Steven Gerrard,
Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano to stay at the club.
‘I
want Steven Gerrard and Torres to stay at Liverpool FC. And Mascherano,
too. Because that is going to make my football team stronger,’ he said
‘You’re
looking at Kenny Dalglish, who is steeped in Liverpool tradition. I can
see where the Kenny thing would fit in with people. It is probably a
step in the right direction at this present moment.’
Football
pundit Lawrenson, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, added: ‘I would have
thought
Kenny would be heavily involved and quite rightly so — maybe not just
in choosing the manager but holding the fort in the meantime.’
Anfield cap: Kenny Dalglish and Mark Lawrenson
(right) celebrate Liverpool's League and FA Cup double in 1986
Benitez’s lawyers finally agreed a severance package worth an initial
£4m after two days of negotiations with their Liverpool counterparts.
It
will rise to over £6m should he remain out of work beyond this summer,
but that appears unlikely after Inter Milan again went public on their
intention to recruit him as Jose Mourinho’s successor at the San Siro.
Liverpool
chairman Martin Broughton confirmed that Benitez’s departure was
initiated by the Anfield board.
He said: ‘Rafa will forever
be part of Liverpool folklore after bringing home the Champions League
following the epic final in Istanbul, but after a disappointing season,
both parties felt a fresh start would be best for all concerned.’
Support
for Benitez, 50, was beginning to waver in the stands, as well as the
boardroom, but he sent an emotional farewell message to supporters.
He
said: ‘It is very sad for me to announce that I will no longer be
manager of Liverpool FC. I would like to thank all of the staff and
players for their efforts.
Remember Istanbul: A fresh-faced Steven Gerrard
(left) and Rafa Benitez hoist the European Cup after Liverpool's
miraculous comeback against AC Milan
‘I’ll always keep in my heart the good times I’ve had here, the
strong and loyal support
of the fans in the tough times and the love
from Liverpool. I have no words to thank you enough for all these years
and I am very proud to say that I was your manager.
‘Thank you
so much once more and always remember: You’ll never walk alone.’
Inter
Milan yesterday released a statement, saying: ‘We are not behind the
story involving Benitez and Liverpool, but we are following it with
interest.
‘If he becomes free of his obligations to Liverpool
and would like to come to Inter, then we would add him to our list of
candidates. He would be considered, but he is not the only one.’
