Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool FC today confirmed that Kenny Dalglish has been appointed as Team Manager.
Dalglish, who was initially given the job until the end of the current
campaign, has signed a three year deal with the Reds. It was also
announced that First Team Coach Steve Clarke has put pen to paper on a
three year contract.
Principal Owner John Henry said: "Kenny is a legendary Liverpool figure
both as a supremely gifted footballer and successful manager. Since
returning in January he has shown extraordinary leadership and the
ability to bring the best out of so many people associated with the
Club. It was obvious to us very early on that the atmosphere
surrounding the Club had been transformed by his presence. No one else
could have produced such a response. Therefore, I'm delighted we have
agreed to a new contract. We didn't need nor want to look elsewhere for
the right man to manage the team.
"Working closely with him, we've seen first-hand his love for the Club
and his determination to do whatever is necessary to produce a winning
side again. He has a unique relationship with our supporters and
embodies everything that is special about the Liverpool way of doing
things. Liverpool enjoys a global standing within the sport, but having
Kenny in the dug-out will help us in our efforts to bring the best
available talent to the Club as we continue to move the club forward.
"I'm also pleased we have reached an agreement with Steve Clarke, as
his contribution to Kenny's backroom team has been significant over the
past four months."
Chairman Tom Werner commented: "It was extremely important that we
enjoyed a period of stability after some difficult times and Kenny has
done a tremendous job over the last three months in bringing the whole
Club back together. 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 set-up sits perfectly with that way of thinking."
John Henry added: "This has been an exciting time in the history of the
Club. The appointments of Ian Ayre and Damien Comolli and now Kenny
represent a significant strengthening of our senior management team
going forward. We face a huge challenge to take Liverpool back to the
level its fans deserve and in an increasingly competitive environment,
but I'm confident we now have the right people in place to do that."
Managing Director Ian Ayre said: "This is great news and it was an easy
decision to make in the sense that there was never anybody else in the
running. Over the last few months everybody has had a great opportunity
to work together; the owners, Kenny, Damien and myself and it's there
to be seen what Kenny and Steve Clarke have achieved together.
"I'm not surprised by what Kenny has achieved since he returned to the
Club. It's an amazing achievement for him to have got us where we are
but somebody who I respect a lot in football said to me once if you are
going to pick a manager then pick a winner and that's what Kenny is.
For a long time we have needed people here who really understand what
this Club is, what it means to our fans and what makes it different to
other clubs. Kenny knows that inside out and I think that's a key
quality. He understands what matters at Liverpool and what needs to be
done here."
Kenny Dalglish said: "I said when I took the job on in January that I
was just happy to help the Club out for the remainder of the
season. Now the owners have decided in their wisdom that they want me
to stay a little longer and it's fantastic news for both myself and
Steve Clarke that we have signed these contracts. Both John and Tom
have taken their time to assess what was best for the football club and
bring in the people they wanted to take the Club forward. They are
both winners, but understand what the supporters want from a Liverpool
side and the way that we should go about things. This is a unique
football Club and I'm delighted to have the opportunity to help build
something special here again.
"I want to salute the efforts of all the players as they have been
fantastic and thank everyone at the Club for the welcome they have
given me since I returned in January.
"I also want to pay tribute to Steve Clarke's input since we started
working together as he has brought great experience and knowledge to
the role. The players enjoy the training sessions, understand their
relevance to our actual football games and have responded brilliantly."
