Skip to main content

Dalglish handed fulltime Liverpool job

Known as "King Kenny" by Liverpool fans, Dalglish has lifted the 18-time English champions back up the table this year.
Known as "King Kenny" by Liverpool fans, Dalglish has lifted the 18-time English champions back up the table this year.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Kenny Dalglish confirmed as Liverpool manager for the next three years
  • He had taken over from Roy Hodgson on a short-term deal in January
  • The Reds have climbed the table and can clinch a European place on Sunday
  • The Scot's assistant coach Steve Clarke has also been given a three-year deal

(CNN) -- Kenny Dalglish has been rewarded for restoring Liverpool's fortunes this season with a three-year contract to manage the English Premier League club on a permanent basis.

The 60-year-old, a legendary figure at Anfield after his trophy-laden stints as player and then manager in the 1970s and '80s, took over on a short-term deal until the end of this season with 18-time English champions Liverpool battling against relegation.

Since replacing Roy Hodgson, Dalglish has guided the Reds up to fifth place in the table and in pole position to qualify for Europe's second-tier competition next season -- which seemed impossible back in January.

Liverpool's bid to qualify for the Europa League should be determined by Sunday's home clash with sixth-placed Tottenham, but the former Scotland international has already done enough to impress the club's American owners.

He has a unique relationship with our supporters and embodies everything that is special about the Liverpool way of doing things
--Liverpool owner John Henry on Dalglish
RELATED TOPICS

"He has shown extraordinary leadership and the ability to bring the best out of so many people associated with the club," principal owner John Henry told Liverpool's website on Thursday.

"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. 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 forward."

Dalglish's assistant Steve Clarke, who worked under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and Gianfranco Zola at West Ham, has also been given a three-year contract to reward his contribution to Liverpool's on-pitch revival.

"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," Dalglish said.

"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."