Liverpool FC: King Kenny Dalglish Signs 3-Year Contract as Reds Manager
Kenny Dalglish has finally put pen to paper today to become the official manager of Liverpool Football Club, the club have confirmed.
Since joining in January, Dalglish, a club legend from his playing days and his first stint as manager which ended two decades ago, has transformed the fortunes of the Red half of Merseyside, who were languishing a dire 12th place, just four points above the relegation zone, and who now sit in fifth position with a European spot for next season secured should they beat Tottenham at home on Sunday.
Dalglish was initially appointed caretaker manager of the club after the "mutual termination" of Roy Hodgson's contract, with a remit to steer the club through the remainder of the season and try to restore some much needed pride.
However, King Kenny has gone far beyond that, taking a whopping 33 points from 16 Premier League matches, a total only bettered by second place Chelsea over the same period.
Not content with just racking up the points, Dalglish—along with his assistant Steve Clarke, who has also signed a three-year deal to remain at the club—has gotten the Liverpool players playing with a swagger again, producing some fantastic performances to sweep all before them over the past couple of months in a style reminiscent of Dalglish's first stint as manager during the late '80s.
In a statement released along with the news of the signing, club principal owner John Henry praised the work of Dalglish in several key areas.
""It's clear how much the players have responded to his leadership, his man management skills and knowledge of the game and that sense of optimism now runs throughout the Club. We have a clear vision of the way a Liverpool team should play and the way the Club should be run and Kenny's inspirational effect on the senior squad and his keenness to involve and feature the younger players from our Academy setup sits perfectly with that way of thinking."
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Ian Ayre, the club managing director, also admitted that Liverpool had not considered any alternatives for the role. Hardly surprising given the fantastic work achieved by the Scot in the four months since his initial appointment.
Dalglish himself has spoke openly of his delight at being confirmed in the role once more and is looking forward, as are many fans, to the summer and next season, when the rebuilding of the team on the pitch can be seriously attended to now that all the senior management and staff have gone a complete overhaul since the shambles of earlier this season.
Here we take a look back at Kenny's timeline since he came back the club in January and look forward with hope and expectancy at the work still to be done.
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Return of the King: Kenny Makes His Return
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In January, for the FA Cup Third Round match, Kenny Dalglish took his place on the bench as Liverpool manager for the first time since 1991.
However, it was to be no fairytale return to start with as Liverpool found themselves a goal down inside the first minute of the game, and Manchester United ran out 1-0 winners, while club captain Steven Gerrard was sent off.
Derby Day Blues Averted by Dirk
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The first league match back at Anfield for Dalglish was as big as they come. A Merseyside derby against Everton, who had turned Liverpool over 2-0 earlier on in the season at Goodison Park.
This time, a Dirk Kuyt penalty was enough to earn Liverpool a share of the spoils after Raul Meireles had earlier given the Reds the lead, only for Everton to go 2-1 ahead after halftime.
Kenny's First Victory and One of the Goals of the Season
3 of 9Dalglish didn't have to wait much longer, however, for his first victory as the Reds went to Wolves and ran out convincing 3-0 winners.
Raul Meireles' stunning volley was the best of a trio of great Liverpool goals, as the travelling Kopites got a glimpse of what was to come as Liverpool began to put their pass-and-move philosophy into play.
Dalglish Does the Double over Chelsea
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A highly anticipated game at Stamford Bridge turned into one of the wins of the season for Liverpool; the recently departed Fernando Torres received nothing but a Danny Agger elbow to the head and an early substitution for his troubles.
Liverpool ran out 1-0 winners to complete an impressive double over last season's double winners, with Raul Meireles on target.
Dalglish and Clarke won acclaim for their use of a three-man defence to nullify Chelsea's threat through the centre.
Revenge over United: Dirk Hat-Trick Leaves Kenny Happy
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Probably Liverpool's finest display of the season at this point; a Luis Suarez-inspired Reds performance put Manchester United to the sword a mere two months after Kenny's first game ended in disappointment, and the improvement all around was very much in evidence in this game.
Dirk Kuyt grabbed the headlines with a hat trick, and a late consolation for United made no difference as Kenny got one over his old enemy Fergie.
European Disappointment in Braga
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In a rare low point since March, Liverpool lost 1-0 in the first leg of their Europa League tie in Portugal to Braga and were unable to produce the goods in the return leg, exiting after a 0-0 draw.
Thankfully, Liverpool's league form has been such that Kenny will get the chance to manage in Europe again next season, with a full squad to choose from this time after being shorn of several key players through injury and ineligibility this time around.
Manchester's Millions Swept Aside at Anfield
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Kenny Dalglish saluted his two-goal hero Andy Carroll after another wonderful performance by the Reds thoroughly outclassed their expensively assembled opposition Manchester City with a 3-0 home win.
Liverpool's pressing and passing was truly something to behold and gave another clear indication of the direction the team was taking under the talented Scotsman.
13 Goals in Three Games to Grab Fifth Place
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As Dalglish's influence over the team continues to grow, his effect on the style of play continues to reap rewards for the team and fans.
A thumping five-goal win over Birmingham was followed up with a 3-0 win over Newcastle and, most recently, another five goals in a 5-2 win at Fulham, with Maxi Rodriguez a particular beneficiary of Liverpool's freedom of play as he netted seven goals in those three matches.
Coupled with Tottenham's poor results, these games have catapulted Liverpool above them in the Premier League table into fifth position.
One more win against Tottenham on Sunday—or indeed a draw followed by victory on the last day against Aston Villa—will secure the fifth spot for the Reds and ensure another season of Europa League football in the 2011/12 season.
There's Plenty More Where That Came From....
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Finally confirmed as the permanent manager of Liverpool FC once more, Dalglish, along with Ian Ayre and Damien Comolli, can now begin to plan in earnest for their assault on the top four next season.
And who knows, with the way the Reds have been performing recently and if quality additions are made this summer to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Luis Suarez, the Reds could be serious challengers for titles next season.
Watch out, football world.
King Kenny is back where he belongs.
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