Can King Kenny still cut it as manager of Liverpool FC
Kenny Dalglish had only just settled into his seat in the away dugout at Old Trafford, filled with excitement, and ready to take charge of his first Liverpool game as manager since 1991. When thirty seconds later Daniel Agger made the slightest of contact with Dimitar Berbatov in the box and the Bulgarian went tumbling. Ryan Giggs converted the penalty that followed and already King Kennys honeymoon period and triumphant return to Liverpool was over before the second minute of play.As the title of this article suggests I am going to try and analyse whether Dalgishs return to Liverpool as manager was the correct decision based on his previous record as a manager and knowledge of the club, or is it simply a sentimental appointment made by NESV following the pre sure from the Kop. Basically can the man Christened King Kenny by the Anfield faithful still cut it as manager of Liverpool twenty years on.Firstly I must explain my position. I am a Liverpool fan but I have approached this topic from a more neutral standpoint than most supporters. You see my earliest memories of Liverpool FC are our victory in the 1995 Coca Cola Cup against Bolton with my boyhood heroes being more of the likes of Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman Michael Owen. I did not grow up during the 1980s when Kenny Dalglish ran the show at Liverpool winning four European Cups, eight league titles and two FA Cups as a player and manager. The glory days had long gone by the Lynn Swann Jersey time I was donning the famous red jersey.Roy Hodgsons departure on Saturday morning came as a surprise to me considering the timing of the announcement. I believed the game on Sunday against Man Utd was his last chance and anything else but a win would see last seasons LMA Manager of the Year shown the back door. However I think it was the right decision for Hodgson to leave especially after the teams woeful display against Blackburn at Ewood Park. Liverpool showed no fight or desire and it appeared Roy had ran out of ideas. On the one hand I feel he wasnt given enough time but out of the players he did bring in during the summer only Raul Meireles has shown any quality. Paul Konchesky Christian Poulsen have been dreadful while Joe Cole hasnt had a consistent run in the team.Before the game at Old Trafford I had ma sive doubts about the appointment of Kenny Dalglish and I was worried that a disastrous spell in charge could tarnish his reputation at the club. The Scot hasnt managed at the top level since a poor spell at Celtic in 2000 and so much has changed in the Premier League since his tenure with Newcastle in 1998 (ironically it was Sir Alex Fergusons Man Utd that Kenny last faced as a Premier League manager). Ernie Stautner Jersey The decision to put Kenny in charge reminded me of Alan Shearers spell as manager of Newcastle the season they were relegated from the Premier League. Had the owners simply succumbed to the pre sure from the fans and appointed someone thinking more with their hearts then their heads? It felt like I was in the minority and most fans were clinging onto the nostalgic idea of Kenny Dalglishs return to the Anfield hot seat.However despite my initial pe simism since the game on Sunday I have been converted to the idea of Kenny Dalglish as manager of Liverpool Football Club, and heres why. Firstly Kenny has the fans on his side and I think the 9000 travelling fans at Old Trafford showed Dalglish more love and affection during his walk to the dugout then poor Roy Hodgson got all season. Hodgson moaned Jack Butler Jersey about the lack of support he had received from the fans following Liverpools defeat to Wolves and that has been one major problem since his appointment; the fans didnt want Hodgson.Secondly the team showed more heart and desire on Sunday than Ive seen in any other game this season. Lets be honest, we were really unlucky. The Berbatov penalty decision was weak and the timing could not have been worst. While there was contact it was minimal but you cant blame the Bulgarian for going down, especially in this day and age. Despite this 1-0 head start Liverpool dictated the majority of the play for the opening twenty five minutes and had a number of half chances. Then unfortunately Steven Gerrard was correctly dismi sed for a two footed lunge on Michael Carrick and Liverpool had to defend the rest of the game with ten men. Still there was desire on the pitch and while it remained only 1-0, Liverpool were still in with a chance.The final reason why I have been converted to the idea of Kenny Dalglish leading Liverpool is the developments off the field today. The appointment of Steve Clarke as first team coach is a move in the right direction and Clarke has a great reputation as a coach following his work with Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. One thing Roy Hodgson did not do was bring any back room staff with him to Anfield and simply took on staff appointed by Rafa Benitez. The fact Kenny is looking to get things right off the pitch pleases me and I believe the hard work does start on the training ground.With January upon us Kenny now has the opportunity to bring in players and Director of Football Strategy Damien Comolli today revealed that there had been certain targets identified for the transfer window. It must be remembered that Roy Hodgson was not John W. Henrys choice as manager so surely, despite the fact Dalglish is only contracted until the end of the season, he would be willing to release the funds to bring in at least one player this month. A striker is of paramount importance and should be the main priority to relieve the burden off of Fernando Torres. Even if a permanent signing cannot be Joe Haden Jersey made I believe we should look to at least bring someone in on loan and I can imagine securing either Emmanuel Adebayor or Roque Santa Cruz until the end of the season from Manchester City is not beyond the realms of po sibility following the arrival of Edin Dzeko.As stated above Kenny has only been brought in as caretaker bo s Jack Lambert Jersey until the end of the season but surely if the Scot does well he will be given the job on a full time basis. For me succe s this season would see Liverpool finishing in the top half of the table within touching distance of the Champions League places and hopefully victory in the Europa League. Dalglish knows there is a lot of work to do at Liverpool and in my opinion I would easily sell around eight of the current first team squad as they are not good enough for the club. To be challenging again for top honours Liverpool need two full backs, a better replacement for Mascherano in the middle of the park than Christian Poulsen, two wide midfielders and two strikers.Kenny has said today that if the club do not feel he is the right man for the job come May then he will gladly step aside and let someone who is more qualified take control. The first manager who springs to mind for me is Martin ONeil who proved at Aston Villa he has the ability to get the best out of his players on a relatively low budget. However Im backing King Kenny to have a succe sful spell and I believe he does still have what it takes to be a top manager in the Premier League. Whatever happens though this season I can guarantee the Kop will still be chanting his name come the beginning of the 2011/12 season.