Poll: Who’s the next Liverpool FC manager?

Liverpool's owners are keen for the club's new manager to be in place for at least four to five years.

Tom Werner and John W. Henry have begun the search for the Reds' fourth boss in two years after sacking Kenny Dalglish and have a number of names in mind.

The new boss is likely to get a transfer budget of over £30million.

On Wednesday, sources close to Henry were keen to stress the American owners do have a clear vision for the future of the club and are likely to appoint three senior directors in the coming weeks.

Meetings have been held with a number of potential directors of football, including Johan Cruyff and former Barcelona sporting director Txiki Begiristain, while they have also spoken to at least one candidate to fill the chief executive's role.

Henry and Werner are also thought to be close to appointing a new director of communications to replace Ian Cotton.

While the departure of Dalglish has left something of a power vacuum at Anfield, FSG felt they had to act given Liverpool's failure to challenge for a Champions League qualifying place, a clear target at the start of the season.

Steve Clarke, Dalglish's assistant, has stepped down out of loyalty to the 61-year-old Scot.

Source: BBC Sport

Who’s the next Liverpool FC manager?

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Kenny Dalglish: End of A Reign

This news came as a shock to most of the Reds’ supporters late yesterday evening. Whether Liverpool FC manager, Kenny Dalglish was sacked by FSG or the Anfield legend walks out it doesn’t matter anymore. Dalglish loves the club and I remembered him quoted somewhere, “If someone better was hired to managed Liverpool FC, I won’t stand in the way” before he accepted the permanent role as the Reds manager last summer.

Dalglish's departure brings to an end his second spell at the Club where, as a player, he won numerous honours, including six English league titles and three European Cup trophies. As Manager he won three league titles, two FA Cups and of course this season, the Carling Cup.

   “It has been an honour and a privilege to have had the chance to come back to Liverpool Football Club as Manager. I greatly appreciate the work that Steve, Kevin, the players and all of the staff put in during my time and feel proud that we delivered the Club's first trophy in six years winning the Carling Cup and came close to a second trophy in the FA Cup Final. Of course I am disappointed with results in the league, but I would not have swapped the Carling Cup win for anything as I know how much it meant to our fans and the Club to be back winning trophies.

“Whilst I am obviously disappointed to be leaving the football club, I can say that the matter has been handled by the owners and all concerned in an honourable, respectful and dignified way and reflects on the quality of the people involved and their continued desire to move the football club forward in the same way as when they arrived here.

“I would like to thank all of the staff at the Club for their effort and loyalty. I said when first approached about coming back as Manager that I would always be of help if I can at any time and that offer remains the same.

“Finally, I want to put on record my heartfelt gratitude to Liverpool's fans, who have always given me and the Club their unwavering support. Without them neither the Club nor I would have achieved anything.” – Kenny Dalglish

Henry and Werner regarded an eighth-place finish, 17 points behind fourth-placed Spurs and 37 points behind champions Manchester City, as unacceptable given the £110m FSG has invested in players.

There was praise for the Scot with Henry claiming Dalglish is “the heart and soul of the club”.

   “Kenny will always be more than a championship winning manager, more than a championship winning star player. He is in many ways the heart and soul of the club. He personifies everything that is good about Liverpool Football Club. He has always put the Club and its supporters first. Kenny will always be a part of the family at Anfield.

“Our job now is to identify and recruit the right person to take this Club forward and build on the strong foundations put in place during the last 18 months.” – John W. Henry

Now, the big question is who is the next manager for Liverpool FC?

Source: Liverpool FC Official

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Sack Dalglish and Liverpool FC will become a mid-table club in years to come

Don’t get me wrong, I’m neither a pro-Dalglish regime nor against him. Yes, we must admit that finishing eight in the league are unacceptable for a club like Liverpool. Building a team needs time. Fenway Sports Group has invested heavily on their club and the project are just half baked. My question is, why stop now?

Dalglish still has two years to run on the contract he was given by FSG just over 12 months ago. Club officials refused to comment on intense speculation that Dalglish had been relieved of his duties following the summit but the we understands no decision has yet been made.

Speculation reached fever pitch on internet and social networking sites around late yesterday morning with unsubstantiated claims ranging from him being sacked to resigning.

Without a public show of support from FSG, Dalglish's job will remain a subject for debate even though just over a month ago Werner stated that the owners had "great confidence in Kenny and he enjoys our full support".

Dalglish is now set to embark on his summer break, but doubts remain as to whether he will be in charge at Anfield at the start of next season.

Clarke was pictured alongside Henry and Werner at Boston Red Sox’s baseball match against Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park on Monday evening.

Dalglish was absent as he was preparing to fly back to Merseyside. Clarke stayed on longer because he was travelling on to Miami for a family holiday.

Let’s not embarked in more speculations until the club has made an official statement on the whole situation. Let’s give Dalglish another 12 months to get his plans back on track and if things doesn’t worked out then we can start pushing the panic button.

Many rumours has linked Roberto Martinez to Liverpool. Frankly speaking, do you think Martinez can manage Liverpool? I, personally doesn’t think so.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club or Red's Fury™ blog.

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Liverpool owner hurt in boat accident

The Liverpool owner John Henry has been taken to hospital after falling on his 164-foot boat in Boston.

Henry, who also owns the Boston Red Sox baseball team, was seen leaving the $32m (£25.5m) yacht wearing a neck brace and was treated by paramedics at the scene before being put on a stretcher and taken to Massachusetts General Hospital in an ambulance.

"He walked down the gangplank and he pretty much walked on his own and he was then taken off on a stretcher," an eye witness told the Boston Herald.

Boston Red Sox president, Larry Lucchino, told the radio station WBZ-AM that Henry was injured but was able to walk off the boat wearing a neck brace.

The accident occurred less than 24 hours before Liverpool play Merseyside rivals Everton at Anfield on Saturday and on the day Boston Red Sox announced the departure of Terry Francona, the manager who led the team to two World Series victories, after the team failed to make the play-offs.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: Guardian

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Liverpool midfielder set for Loftus Road

Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish is understood to be interested in bolstering the defensive line with a new centre-back and a left-back before the new season kick-off in 10 days.

With Milan Jovanovic shipped out to Belgian outfit, Anderlecht on free transfer and the Serbian forward has free up Liverpool FC bulging wage bill.

According from source close to the club, another midfielder, Joe Cole looks set to return to West London to join Queens Park Rangers on loan for the 2011/12 season.

The Barclays Premier League new boys are hoping to strike a deal with the Reds over the England midfielder, who has failed to impress since joining from Chelsea last summer. It is understood Cole is currently in talks with the London club.

Liverpool are keen to reduce their wage load to finance further summer signings, and shifting Cole would free up around £90,000 per week to put towards Kenny Dalglish’s transfer kitty. However, there are few clubs who could afford such sums meaning John W. Henry may have to fork out some form of compensation or contribution in order to allow the player to move on.

Stay tune for more update and take your time to vote on this poll.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

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Liverpool owner hints that duo could stay

During the LIVE match between Malaysia XI and Liverpool, Liverpool owner, John W. Henry has indeed been watching the game in the States.

He tweeted this on his twitter account and I was among the 100 plus followers who retweeted it.

Liverpool owner John Henry has given Alberto Aquilani and David Ngog hope of extending their Anfield careers.

Aquilani spent last season at Juventus after being loaned out by then manager Roy Hodgson, even though the Italy international had looked like finding his form towards the end of the previous campaign after a long time out with injury.

His days on Merseyside appeared numbered, despite manager Kenny Dalglish being a fan of his ability, with plenty of speculation linking him to a move back to his homeland.

However, Juventus were not interested in signing the 27-year-old permanently and he returned to the Reds for pre-season before flying out with the squad for their matches in China and Malaysia.

The Italian, whose £17million signing by Rafa Benitez was ridiculed in many quarters because of his poor fitness record - he actually arrived at Anfield with an injury - impressed in Saturday's 6-3 win over a Malaysia XI.

Ngog has been nothing more than a back-up striker since arriving at the club from Paris St Germain for £1.5million in the summer of 2008.

He has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs but a goal against Guangdong last weekend and his two in Kuala Lumpur have caught the attention of Henry.

Liverpool's principal owner also believes Aquilani is making a difference in pre-season and has indicated that both players could be set to stay.

Source: @John_W_Henry and Sky Sports

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Liverpool 0-2 Tottenham: Lose but all smiles

Liverpool's hopes of Europa League qualification have been dealt a blow after Tottenham Hotspur claimed a 2-0 win at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Rafael van der Vaart put Spurs into the lead inside 10 minutes, seeing his volley take a slight deflection and sail into the top corner to cap an impressive opening by the visitors.

Luka Modric made it 2-0 from the penalty spot early in the second half after John Flanagan was harshly adjudged to have fouled Steven Pienaar with a shoulder barge just inside the box - though TV replays proved initial contact occurred outside of the area.

The result means the Reds must now better Tottenham's result against Birmingham at White Hart Lane next Sunday when they travel to Aston Villa if they're to finish fifth in the Barclays Premier League and qualify for Europe.

Despite a heavy pre-match downpour, a carnival atmosphere greeted kick-off inside Anfield following Thursday's news Kenny Dalglish had signed a three-year contract to remain as the club's manager on a permanent basis.

The legendary Scot has helped mastermind a complete turnaround of Liverpool's fortunes since returning to the helm in January and headed into the contest knowing victory over the Londoners would assure his side of a fifth-place finish in the Barclays Premier League and entry into the Europa League next season.

Dalglish made just one change to the side that had dismantled Fulham on Monday with Andy Carroll replacing the injured Raul Meireles.

However, it was the visitors who made the more promising start as they looked to revive their own hopes of securing a Europa berth.

And their early pressure told when Van der Vaart fired them into a ninth-minute lead. Collecting a half-cleared Spurs corner on the edge of the box, the Dutchman controlled on his chest before dispatching a sublime volley beyond Pepe Reina via the aid of a nick off Glen Johnson.

Liverpool were struggling to get out of first gear and it took until the 23^rd minute for them to conjure up an attack of note, but Carroll mis-kicked on the edge of the box when attempting to connect with Maxi's lay off.

Soon after, only a spectacular diving header from Michael Dawson deep inside his own box prevented a Reds chance from Dirk Kuyt's dangerous centre. [Read more…]

Source: LiverpoolFC.tv

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LeBron James joins Liverpool FC

United States basketball star LeBron James has become a minority stakeholder in Liverpool after signing a representation deal with club owners Fenway Sports Group.

The Wall Street Journal claims that FSG has struck a deal to partner the Miami Heat player's sports-marketing firm, LRMR Branding & Marketing, to become his exclusive worldwide representative.

The newspaper said Maverick Carter, chief executive of LRMR, had expressed his desire to build James' portfolio internationally and find opportunities for him to gain equity in companies throughout the world as his commercial interests have largely been limited to sponsorship and endorsement deals.

The report also said James received an undisclosed minority stake in Liverpool as part of the deal.

Source: ESPNSoccernet

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Liverpool owner dismissed contract offer to Dalglish

Liverpool owner John W Henry has revealed the club have not started contract discussions with Kenny Dalglish, but have set a date to discuss the Scot's future as manager.

The takeover of Liverpool Football Club by New England Sports Ventures has prompted a return to old ways at Anfield, with the club now making a sustained effort to conduct its business behind closed doors until any formal announcements can be made. Such demeanour was employed over the failed Charlie Adam approach in the January transfer window, and now a similar approach will be taken over the future of Dalglish.

A Kop idol from his previous years as player and manager, Dalglish has inspired a turnaround in fortunes since taking over from Roy Hodgson earlier in the season, leading Liverpool to sixth in the table.

Victories over Chelsea and Manchester United, produced largely without the aid of £35 million signing Andy Carroll, have provided hope for the future, while fellow new capture Luis Suarez is already looking like a shrewd purchase.

Liverpool's owners have always said they will take time to ensure they pick the best man to lead the club forward in the future, with Dalglish's current deal only keeping him in the manager's job until the end of the current campaign. Henry would not confirm if the Scot had done enough to earn a permanent contract and rejected claims that a deal had already been offered.

"The only discussion we've had has been with Kenny and that was solely concerning when we should begin discussions," Henry said in the Telegraph.

"I wouldn't anticipate any further comments until such discussions have commenced and we have something to announce. Any reports until then are purely speculation."

Jurgen Klopp of Borussia Dortmund, Porto's Andre Villas-Boas and Didier Deschamps of Marseille have all been linked as alternative options for the Anfield role.

Source: ESPN

Cast your vote on the poll, “Can LIVERPOOL FC finish in the top four this season?”.

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Liverpool owner wants Premier League title

Liverpool may have just sold Fernando Torres to Chelsea, but John Henry and the Fenway Group have taken over the running of Liverpool Football club with just one aim; to bring the Premiership title back to Anfield after a 20 years drought.

Henry admits that football is all new to Fenway, but that doesn’t change the business model. He said last night: “We have a unique skill-set at Fenway, and it is perfectly suited to breaking what they call curses – we had an 86 years drought at Boston for winning a World Series,” .

“We did that, and we have a 20 years drought for winning the first division at Liverpool. Liverpool has never won a Premier League.

“There was a very strong feeling amongst us that we were uniquely qualified to break the ‘curse’. Even though we didn’t know the sport, we knew the sports business and knew what it takes to put together a sports organisation.

“It gives me goose bumps to think we could deliver a Premier League title to Liverpool – it’s what we are there for, we have no other agenda than that.”

This could be great for the Premiership and make it even more competitive.

With Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, and perhaps even Tottenham, going for the title in a big way, the Premier League will remain the best in the world for a long time to come.

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Hodgson out, Dalglish in

Roy Hodgson's miserable six-month reign ended with former title-winning player and boss Kenny Dalglish put in charge until the end of the season.

Since taking over from Rafael Benitez in the off-season, Hodgson presided over Liverpool's worst start to a season for more than 50 years — a dismal run of results that coincided with financial instability and a bitter court battle to oust unpopular American owners.

But even the arrival of Boston Red Sox owner John Henry in October 2010 couldn't halt the dire form on the pitch.

The club finally lost patience with the 63-year-old Hodgson after Wednesday's 3-1 loss at Blackburn. Liverpool are languishing in 12th spot in the Premier League and are sitting just four points above the drop zone.

The 63-year-old refused to answer questions on his future following the defeat at Ewood Park and speculation over his future intensified after his pre-match media briefing on Friday was cancelled.

Hodgson went to Anfield from 2010 Europa League finalist Fulham in July on a three-year contract. He left Anfield by mutual consent, a club statement said Saturday on the eve of an FA Cup match at archrival Manchester United.

Liverpool's owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have reportedly been looking at their possible options for a managerial change for over a week and they have now decided to act.

They had intended to see out the season with Hodgson before reassessing the situation but recent results - defeats to Blackburn and Wolves - and the deteriorating relationship with fans and associated falling attendances have prompted a rethink.

The club have turned to former player and manager Dalglish to take up the reins for the rest of the campaign and try and rescue a wretched campaign for the Merseyside titans.

   "We are grateful for Roy's efforts over the past six months, but both parties thought it in the best interests of the club that he stand down from his position as team manager. We wish him all the best for the future." said Principal Owner John Henry.

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Bring back Rafael Benitez to the Kop

With the defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers yesterday evening, Liverpool Football Club has took a plunged into a new depth of crisis. The reason Kop boss, Roy Hodgson mentioned during the post match conference for the loss at Anfield was “it was a bad day at office”, and he blames the lacks of support from the crowds.

I think we all have given him all the backings and supports since his appointment. There are no reason for him to laid the blames on the supporters. Although, he cannot be solely blamed for the defeat at Anfield yesterday, the players are largely at fault too.

The board has been patience with Hodgson and has given him the time to move forward his plans for the team. How much longer do we need to wait until NESV or John W. Henry finally sees that it is crucial to replace the manager now? There aren’t any lack of candidates for the manager post to select from, as Martin O’Neil, Frank Rijkaard and Rafael Benitez are all but available.

There will be some segment of the Reds supporters opposing to the re-appointment of Rafael Benitez. But why we need to set aside the ruckus he has caused during his last tenure and give the helm at Anfield back to Rafael Benitez at this crucial time?

First of all, the core of the team has been employed by Rafa. The tactical aspects of the team will remain intact and removes all the negative approach from Hodgson’s plan. Our defence are in a shambles with the man-marking system deployed by Hodgson. Do we have this kind of problem over the zonal marking system during Benitez?

NESV and John W. Henry needs to reassess the every possible angles of changing the manager before the transfer windows re-opens in two days time. The Reds were once a fearsome opponent at European arena but now we can’t even beat a bottom of the league table team at our own backyard.

Why not employ Frank Rijkaard or Martin O’Neil? We doesn’t want to repeat the same mistake all over again. New manager, new tactical plans, new backroom staffs and a new headache. Rafael Benitez still has some unfinished business at Anfield, back him up financially and he’ll give us the results.

Don’t mistaken me for as a pro-Rafa or anti-Hodgson regime. I’ve backed Hodgson to succeed Benitez but I didn’t realised that he doesn’t have a clue on how to handle a massive club like Liverpool Football Club. He is dragging us down and not the opposite way.

Is it the right time to bring back Rafael Benitez? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Done deal

New England Sports Ventures (NESV) today announces that it has completed the purchase of Liverpool Football Club.

NESV wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to the Board of Liverpool FC for their diligence and their efforts on behalf of the Club and its supporters.

The transaction values the Club at £300m and eliminates all of the acquisition debt placed on LFC by its previous owners, reducing the Club's debt servicing obligations from £25m-£30m a year to £2m-£3m.

New England Sports Ventures is committed to winning and currently owns a portfolio of companies, including the Boston Red Sox, New England Sports Network, Fenway Sports Group and Roush Fenway Racing.

Liverpool’s drawn-out sale to the owners of the Boston Red Sox was completed Friday after a bitter trans-Atlantic court fight over English football’s most successful club with the previous American owners.

The $485 million deal (all dollar figures Canadian) with New England Sports Ventures ends the turbulent three-year ownership by Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr., which saw the Premier League giants saddled with crippling debts and falling into relegation danger this season.

   “We are committed first and foremost to winning,” said John Henry, the financier who heads NESV. “We have a history of winning, and today we want LFC supporters to know that this approach is what we intend to bring to this great club.”

“As every Liverpool fan knows, the most nerve-racking way to win a match is by a penalty shootout,” - said club chairman Martin Broughton, referring to Liverpool’s fifth European Cup triumph against AC Milan in 2005.

The sale finally went through after Hicks and Gillett withdrew the temporary restraining order blocking the sale they had obtained in a Texas court. Later, they also dropped their claim for $1.6 billion in damages.

   “The most important thing is that NESV have cleared us of all the debts which, frankly, shouldn’t have been on the club in the first place.”

“All that huge amount of money that our fans spend supporting our team, coming to games and all the other activities is now available for what it should be available for, to invest.” - managing director Christian Purslow.

The deal came on the day set as the deadline for repayment of the club’s debts to the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wells Fargo, which had risen to around $461 million including penalty fees.

Henry insisted that NESV’s deal wasn’t a leveraged buyout. The acquisition debt has been eliminated and the cost of servicing the club’s debt has slumped from $40 million to $48 million a year to $3.2 million to $4.8 million.

Amid the takeover turmoil, Liverpool is mired in the relegation zone after its worst start to a league season since 1953. Henry said it was too early to decide on specific plans, but noted the Red Sox are the second-highest spending club in baseball. Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson expects to have cash to spend in the January transfer window to strengthen the struggling team.

   “In future we can invest in players in a different way,” – Roy Hodgson.

 

Source: LiverpoolFC.tv

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