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.’
