Dalglish brought in to lure Hodgson or O'Neill.. BUT...
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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.’