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

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King Kenny is officially unveiled at Anfield

Kenny Dalglish’s first full day back in charge of Liverpool FC, overseeing training at Melwood on Monday morning and being officially presented to the media in the afternoon.

Kenny Dalglish insists he will have no problem stepping aside this summer 'if someone better comes along'.

The man christened The King by Liverpool fans has been placed in charge of team affairs until the end of the season after Roy Hodgson left on Saturday.

Here’s a selection of videos from the day.

 

Read more on what Kenny Dalglish has to say about the future and transfer.

Sources: LiverpoolFC.tv, all video credits to IndySportsNewsTV

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Hodgson’s Tribute: Premier League managers’ view

Kenny Dalglish has paid tribute to former Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson and expressed his delight at returning to the Anfield hot seat nearly 20 years after he left the job.

Hodgson was replaced by Dalglish on Saturday morning, having won just seven of 20 league games during his tenure. Relations with the club's fans grew strained as Hodgson questioned their support following a defeat to Wolves, and Liverpool's owners claim the former Inter Milan coach left by "mutual consent".

Dalglish flew into Manchester on Saturday evening ahead of Sunday's FA Cup third round tie at Manchester United, and he will take immediate control of the first team for the game.

"It's a great honour to be asked to come back," Dalglish told Sky Sports News. "It's under horrible circumstances because a very good man with great dignity and integrity has lost his job."

Asked how he will approach the United fixture, Dalglish replied: "We'll do our best. I'll have a kip and we'll go from there. I've just come off a plane!"

Liverpool's decision to axe Hodgson just six months after appointing him has not been welcomed by fellow Premier League managers, who claim the 63-year-old was not given enough time at Anfield.

"I am shocked because I rate Roy Hodgson as a great manager," Arsene Wenger said on Saturday. "It puts our job into perspective because he was Manager of the Year in July. It shows you how quickly we lose our qualities because he had to go six months later. Of course it is a shock and I feel our job suffers today."

Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, himself stumbling across hard times at Aston Villa, also had sympathy for Hodgson, who managed just one away league win during his time as Liverpool manager.

"Roy got Manager of the Year last season so he was a great manager then and he still is today," Houllier said. "He's a fantastic person, I know him well but this world has become brutal, I mean it - if you lose two games you are in the firing line. I feel for him but Kenny has been a friend for a long time too."

Mark Hughes, who replaced Hodgson at Fulham, has backed his predecessor to bounce back from his latest disappointment, insisting he deserved longer to prove he was worthy of the job.

"It's very, very disappointing when you see a fellow manager lose his job," Hughes said. "But it's a league that thrusts focus on you every minute of the day and, at the end of the day, we're always judged on results. I'm sorry for Roy because he obviously was fantastic for Fulham for two years and deserved his chance to manage a top club. He's a good manager and I'm sure he'll come back.

"There's always that thinking that people who take over a club will always try to appoint their own man and there's many examples of that. There's a little bit of that in the Liverpool situation, I would suggest. But, listen, we're all grown men, we understand what happens. Sometimes, even when it's a little bit unfair, you've just got to get on with it."

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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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Sack Roy Hodgson will leads to more uncertainty

Liverpool's new owners have been warned that even the sacking of Roy Hodgson might not be enough to stave off an exodus of their key players, including Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina. Although the manager's departure appears inevitable, and the two Spanish players would not leave during the winter transfer window, frustration at the club's inertia means they will go in the summer if they are not convinced by the new manager and handed reassurances of major investment.

The choice currently before Liverpool's owners, John W Henry and Tom Werner, is a huge one which will bring with it significant consequences. For some senior players sacking Hodgson is a step in the right direction. But while Hodgson continuing at the club would guarantee summer departures, his exit does not necessarily mean that Liverpool will be able to keep hold of their most important assets. With Liverpool immersed in a sale process last summer moves were blocked for Steven Gerrard, Torres and Reina; this year, it will be harder to prevent their departure. Liverpool quoted prices so prohibitive as to be a "not for sale" sign. At the same time reassurances were made regarding ambitions. Hopes had been pinned on new ownership and massive investment. As yet only half of that proposition has come to pass.

The arrival of a recognised, high-achieving coach will be vital if they are not to push for a transfer. Didier Deschamps, who was interviewed for the job last summer and remains a favoured candidate, appeared to rule himself out yesterday. The Marseille coach said: "When I talk about being the coach of Marseille in the new stadium, I mean it. It is an idea that pleases me. Now, 2014 is a very long way away in my profession. But I have said people should understand I am not a tramp. I proved it last year. I could have left."

Key Anfield squad members have been dismayed by the lack of activity from the new owners since they took over in mid‑October.

The lack of activity in this transfer window only increases that impression, with the club currently considering an offer for the Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka. Players feel that promises have been broken before and will not endure another season of underachievement and uncertainty.

Possible destinations are already being studied in case they should be required, but no decisions have been taken. Those clubs that tabled bids for Gerrard, Torres, Reina and Dirk Kuyt last summer are not necessarily expected to return 12 months on. The players are not expected to consider a move to Manchester United.

Following Liverpool's 3-1 defeat against Blackburn Hodgson refused to discuss a possible sacking, saying: "I am not prepared to talk about my future. At this moment I am depressed enough with the performance and the result. I am not here to talk about that. I have no comments to make and I don't intend to answer any questions on the subject." The club's director of communications then brought the press conference to a close and there was no indication from the owners today that they intend to change manager before Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie at Manchester United.

But Hodgson's days at Anfield are numbered. Fans have railed against him – he was met with graffiti at the club's training ground yesterday – and pressure builds to replace him. Progress is stalled by the absence of a chief executive at Anfield and the fact that the New England Sports Ventures group that owns the club continues to be based in the United States.

There has also been little opportunity over the Christmas period properly to discuss the club's next move. Kenny Dalglish, who currently occupies an ambassadorial role, made it clear that he wanted the manager's job in the summer before the former regime employed Hodgson – and he is still keen to take charge. There is, however, a reluctance to make a definitive decision at this stage, which only increases the uncertainty. With the situation being monitored closely by key players, it is a decision that must be made carefully.

Source: Guardian UK by Sid Lowe and Andy Hunter

Don’t forget to cast your vote on “Who should Liverpool FC appoints to succeed Roy Hodgson?” poll.

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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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Rafa Benitez hits back at Liverpool’s former owners

Last Friday, Tom Hicks blames former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez for the declining results and which leads to the club’s financial turmoil during the Spaniard tenure.

But Rafa Benitez won’t be staying quiet about the critics thrown at him by the former Liverpool owner. Benitez has launched a cryptic attack on the club's ousted owners and current managing director Christian Purslow in an interview.

Hicks criticised Benitez for wasting much of the money he was given to spend during the latter half of his tenure.

But Benitez has insisted the Americans were to blame, citing their appointment of Purslow in the summer of last year as the beginning of a downward spiral that ended in the Spaniard's exit.

But in a bizarre outburst, Benitez compared events leading up to his departure to a bottle of milk.

   "We have a saying in Spanish: 'White liquid in a bottle has to be milk'."

"What does this mean? It means that after 86 points and finishing second in the league, what changed?"

"The Americans, they chose a new managing director and everything changed.”

"So, what changed?”

"The managing director is involved in all the decisions: new lawyer, new chief of press, new manager, nine new players, new medical staff, new fitness coaches - they changed everything.”

"At the beginning, they changed the managing director who was talking with some players, and they changed everything that we were doing in the past.”

"So, if you want to ask again what was going on, it's simple: they changed something and, at the end, they changed everything.”

"So, white liquid in a bottle: milk. You will know who is to blame." – Rafael Benitez

It’s not the right time to play the “blame” games. It’s time for the new owner to straighten things up at Liverpool Football Club. Is Roy Hodgson’s time as a Liverpool manager been numbered?

Source: Telegraph UK

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Everton 2-0 Liverpool: No fight, no class, no ideas

Liverpool were unable to secure city bragging rights as the Reds went down to a 2-0 defeat in the Merseyside derby with Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.

Tim Cahill put the Blues into a first-half lead with a powerful close-range strike after Seamus Coleman's cross had broken fortunately for him.

Mikel Arteta doubled the Blues' advantage moments into the second period when the Spaniard struck a thunderous drive beyond Pepe Reina from a half-cleared corner, and despite a late spell of pressure, Liverpool were unable to find a response.

After a hectic few days at Anfield, the game represented the final act in what will undoubtedly go down as one of the most historic weeks in the long and illustrious 118-year history of Liverpool Football Club.

New England Sports Ventures' acquisition of the club on Friday afternoon had provided everyone connected to the Red half of Merseyside with a surge in optimism as they geared up to make the short trek across Stanley Park.

There are few fixtures that can conjure up such raw emotion and passion as a Merseyside derby - and a little over 24 hours after meeting with the players and staff at Melwood, NESV Principal Owner John W Henry and Chairman Thomas Werner took their seats in the Goodison Park directors' box to sample that famed atmosphere first hand.

While much of the pre-match headlines had understandably centred on events off the field, the football talk had emphasised Liverpool's desire to return to winning ways following a disappointing run of league results. [Read more…]

 

 

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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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Liverpool Football Club will be sold to NESV

New England Sports Ventures’ prospects of taking control at Anfield before Sunday’s Merseyside derby rest on the verdict of a Texan judge expected to reveal whether the much-delayed deal can proceed after 1pm UK time on Friday.

Lawyers for the Reds, main creditor Royal Bank of Scotland and Boston’s NESV were gathering at 7am (1pm UK) at the 160th District Court in Dallas to seek the removal of a restraining order obtained by the current owners on Wednesday night.

If Judge Jim Jordan is persuaded to overturn the order he granted Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the agreed sale of the Reds to NESV should proceed.

After a second damning verdict in London’s High Court yesterday, lawyers for co-owner Tom Hicks immediately went back to the Dallas court last night for another hearing with Judge Jordan but it adjourned without resolution until today.

The early start in Texas today is because of the 4pm deadline (UK time) High Court judge Christopher Floyd gave the Americans to remove their restraining order in his decision against Hicks and Gillett in London yesterday.

The ruling was potentially undermined, however, by the judge’s decision to grant Hicks and Gillett until 4pm BST today to comply with the order, too late for the sale to be completed before the weekend. NESV’s counsel, David Chivers QC, told the court the sale could only be completed today if an order to transfer funds was given before 3pm.

With Hicks and Gillett not represented in court, there is little expectation that they will comply with the order, and even if they do it is predicted to be at the last minute.

Given those circumstances, the club would remain in limbo through the weekend, overshadowing a game that already has season-defining potential for both clubs.

Should the deal not go through RBS will finally face the decision that it has spent the last three days in court trying to avoid: what to do if the loans are not repaid on time.

A possible late offer from Mill Financial – who already own George Gillett’s half of the club – failed to materialise yesterday and, while it has not been completely ruled out, only a hugely-improved bid is likely to deflect the Reds board from their deal with NESV.

One complication was eased, when Peter Lim said he was withdrawing, having had a £325 million offer for the club rejected on Wednesday.

Broughton said he hoped to have a deal in place for Henry to attend Sunday’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park as Liverpool FC’s new owner.

You’ll Never Walk Alone.

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VIDEO: Full interview with Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton

Liverpool Football Club today announces that the Board has agreed the sale of the Club to New England Sports Ventures (NESV).

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

Martin Broughton, Liverpool FC Chairman, said:

"I am delighted that we have been able to successfully conclude the sale process which has been thorough and extensive. The Board decided to accept NESV's proposal on the basis that it best met the criteria we set out originally for a suitable new owner. NESV's philosophy is all about winning and they have fully demonstrated that at Red Sox.

"We've met them in Boston, London and Liverpool over several weeks and I am immensely impressed with what they have achieved and with their vision for Liverpool Football Club.

"By removing the burden of acquisition debt, this offer allows us to focus on investment in the team. I am only disappointed that the owners have tried everything to prevent the deal from happening and that we need to go through legal proceedings in order to complete the sale."

Note to editors:

The sale is conditional on Premier League approval, resolution of the dispute concerning Board membership and other matters.

Liverpool FC Chairman Martin Broughton has spoken about why he believes New England Sports Ventures are the perfect fit for LFC and why he's confident the sale decision could be completed by close of business next week.

 

 

Source: Liverpool FC Official Website

More interview video from BBC Sport.

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