Latest News Editor's Choice


Sports / Soccer

Liverpool sacks Kenny Dalglish manager - 'King Kenny knocked off his throne'

by Staff reporter
16 May 2012 at 15:32hrs | Views
Kenny Dalglish has been sacked as Liverpool manager following face to face talks with the club's American owners.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Fenway Sports Group (FSG) and Liverpool Football Club announce that Kenny Dalglish is to leave his post today as Manager after having his contract terminated.

"After a careful and deliberative review of the season, the Club came to the decision that a change was appropriate. It is not a decision that was reached lightly or hastily.

"The search for a new Manager will begin immediately."

Fenway Sports Group are in the midst of a major restructure at Anfield, and their review of the club includes the manager's chair.

This is just a few days after King Kenny reacted angrily to reports he is set to leave Liverpool this summer after the campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat at Swansea.

Some newspapers went on to claim the Scot will be replaced by Wigan's Roberto Martinez.

Dalglish said his departure had been handled in a "honourable, respectful and dignified way".

FSG are now expected to pursue a younger coach who will match the criteria they set out on first buying the club. They were convinced to appoint Dalglish after his success in a caretaker role and because of his legendary status and popularity among fans.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez and former boss Rafael Benitez have been installed as early favourites to fill the position.

Dalglish, 61, has paid the price for Liverpool's poor Premier League performances, especially at Anfield.

His departure comes after face-to-face talks with principal owners John W Henry and Tom Werner in Boston on Monday.

Dalglish's dismissal follows the departure of director of football Damien Comolli and the club's head of sports medicine Peter Brukner in April.

Dalglish returned to manage the club for a second time in the wake of Roy Hodgson's departure in January 2011, initially on a caretaker basis until the end of the season.

After a strong finish to the season he was made permanent manager on 12 May 2011 on a three-year contract, but has been unable to carry that momentum into the new campaign.

Dalglish's second stint in charge at Anfield also proved controversial at times.

The Scot defended Luis Suarez in the wake of the striker's ban for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra when the teams met in October.

After the Uruguayan's apparent refusual to shake Evra's hand in the return fixture in February, an apology from both player and manager came only after the intervention of the US owners.

More to follow. 

Source - BBC