Anfield legend confirmed as permanent Liverpool manager.
The Scot has been rewarded with an extended deal having taken over in January in a caretaker role after Roy Hodgson was sacked in January.
Dalglish and assistant manager Steve Clarke, who has also been handed a three-year deal, have lifted the club from the lower reaches of the table to their current position in fifth.
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.
“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.” - Principal Owner John Henry.
He has overseen a dramatic improvement in results, with the Merseysiders climbing to fifth in the Premier League from mid-table mediocrity having strung together some impressive performances.
While people outside of the game may have doubted Dalglish's credentials having spent a decade out of management, FSG insists to always had faith the Scot would work his magic and transform the fortunes of the Reds.
“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.” - Chairman Tom Werner.
The Reds have enjoyed a rapid rise up the league table since Dalglish's return back in January, with only Chelsea sitting above them in the form table over the second half of the campaign.
“I think we are most pleased for the fans. Bill Shankly once said 'Liverpool was made for me and I was made for Liverpool' and although it's not very often you can compare anything about Shankly with anyone else, I think in this case it is befitting of Kenny.” - Managing Director Ian Ayre.
As well as enjoying much-improved results over recent months, the style of football and attacking intent to win games has also pleased Reds' fans, all of whom will be thrilled with Kenny's permanent appointment.
But Comolli is keen to stress this isn't a decision merely to appease the fans' clamour for the return of King Kenny.
“It is definitely the right decision and is based on what's happening on the pitch and not taking anything else into consideration.
“The game on Monday was just the perfect example of what we want. It was a perfect evening of great football, great movement, great attacking and five goals.
“This is the tradition of the club. When you're talking about the playing and coaching philosophy, this is what we want. If you see us from U13 through to the first team, it's the same idea and same way of thinking.
“Sometimes games are so tight at the top level that the manager has to make the right decision, the right substitution or the right tactical decision which is going to win the game. Players know each other so well that the intensity of the game and the concentration is so high that sometimes the change you make can make the difference. Kenny has shown several times since he came back that he is able to do that.” – Director of Football Damien Comolli.
Enough said. Now everybody, please rise and all hails the King!
Source: LiverpoolFC.tv
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