Welcome back King Kenny

[Reece]

Ah good point, hadn't thought of that. I'm sure someone will rip it and upload it in no time.

[little dave hedgehog]

just checked. only one is free

[The_weatherman]

I'll stay up a bit longer, got Van Damme on some danish channel so I definately wont be bored........

[Reece]

JimmyRiceWriter Jimmy Rice
Don't go anywhere. I'll be publishing Paul Eaton's in-depth interview with The King shortly...

[CJ]

so it wont be on the TV

thats a bugger

[Daniel 7]

I'll stay up a bit longer, got Van Damme on some danish channel so I definately wont be bored........

Ha! I watched Universal Soldier and Kickboxer in one ill film watching session over the festives

[Reece]

When Kenny and Marina Dalglish boarded the luxury cruise liner, Silver Wind, in Dubai on Monday, they anticipated doing nothing more strenuous for the week than applying the sunscreen and knocking back a couple of cocktails as they sailed around the Arabian Gulf.
Today was meant to be the final full day of their idyllic trip around the sailing ports of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Khasab, Muscat and Bahrain.
Instead, following the most dramatic 36 hours of an already remarkable career, Dalglish will spend his Sunday lunchtime in the cauldron of Old Trafford, having to cope with all the hype and bedlam that goes with the highest-profile fixture in English football, Manchester United against Liverpool.

Relaxed times: Kenny and Marina Dalglish at a charity fundraiser
Nobody will be more surprised by the turn of events than 59-year-old Dalglish and nobody will be more aware of the responsibility of trying to turn around the fortunes of an iconic club fallen on desperately hard times.
Dalglish, considered the club's greatest-ever player and the manager when they were last champions in 1990, has heard his name chanted by a Kop disenchanted with Roy Hodgson throughout the season.
But he still believed the club's owners, The Fenway Sports Group would keep faith, until the summer at least, in the manager they inherited when they took over the club in October. Wednesday night's dismal 3-1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers changed that.
The strength of anti-Hodgson feeling had grown so large that owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner realised any prolonged delay in sacking Hodgson would lose them the goodwill earned when they ran unpopular owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett out of town.

Winds of change: Cruise liner Silver Wind
So, as the Silver Wind docked in Bahrain in the early hours of Saturday morning, Dalglish received the emergency calls, texts and emails to save 'his club' while 3,300 miles away a surprised Hodgson learned he was being sacked without even the chance of a last hurrah at Old Trafford.
With an apology to his wife for having to cut his holiday short, Dalglish swiftly made arrangements to leave the cruise ship in Bahrain and head home.
At just after 4am UK time on Saturday, Liverpool's new interim manager travelled to the airport and started the journey back to the north-west.
His first task this afternoon and for the rest of the season will be to reinvigorate a Liverpool squad who have endured two years of internal squabbling, an ownership change, three different managers and a virtual freeze on spending on new players.
Fortunately for Liverpool supporters, self-pity has never been a part of Dalglish's make-up and any player who continues to feel sorry for himself can expect a Glaswegian kick up the backside.

Coming home: Kenny Dalglish arrives back in England
In his column for The Mail on Sunday, he had a strong message for any Liverpool players looking to blame the Hicks-Gillett fiasco for poor results against Northampton and Blackpool.
'While you find in any walk of life people who don't need much encouragement to find excuses, we don't want them at Liverpool right now,' he said.
The message could not have been stronger. Even though the personal relationship between Dalglish and Hodgson remains strong, there is no doubt the Scotsman will do things differently to the much-travelled Englishman.
While Hodgson complained about 'expensive failures', Dalglish is more likely to point to the positive fact that 15 of the Liverpool squad were picked by their countries for the World Cup, including four by England (Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Joe Cole and Glen Johnson) and another four who featured in the final (Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel).
Dalglish might accept that Liverpool's squad are not good enough to win the league but he will fight anyone who does not believe they should be higher than 12th, just four points above the relegation zone.
As a member of the strikers' union, Dalglish's first job will be to resurrect the form of Torres. Privately, Dalglish has been incensed by the criticism the Spanish striker has come in for this season. He believes Torres has not been helped, particularly away from home, in a system that sometimes seemed to prioritise stopping goals at the expense of scoring them.
Liverpool fans will be hoping the support and enthusiasm of the man they call 'King Kenny' will get their No 9 back to the levels he was at when he destroyed Nemanja Vidic at Old Trafford two seasons ago.
As for Steven Gerrard, Dalglish has known Liverpool's captain since he was 14 and Dalglish's son, Paul, tipped him off that the club might have a world-beater on their hands.
It is strange that Dalglish's age is seen as a negative in his appointment. Three of the current top four managers in the country – Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Harry Redknapp – are all older.
Likewise, the length of time he has spent away from management is not as big an issue as it is being made out.

King Kenny: Dalglish in action for Liverpool
Although he has not managed in the Premier League since leaving Newcastle United in 1998, he has spent the last year based at the Liverpool Academy, mixing with all the young players coming through and even joining in practice matches, celebrating every winner as if it were a repeat of his winning goal in the 1978 European Cup final.
He has befriended and taken a close interest in a lot of the players, such as midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, on whom Liverpool's future rests.
Through scouting at home and abroad this season, he has a better working knowledge of the players' market than most other Premier League managers, vital as Liverpool cannot hope to compete with the likes of Manchester City in the transfer market.
Perhaps Dalglish's biggest achievement has been to win the trust of Henry. Dalglish had feared for his role as Academy ambassador when the new owners took over, aware that they wanted to implement a new structure at the club headed by director of football strategy Damien Comolli.
But as Hodgson floundered under the pressure of being a Liverpool manager, Henry realised the calm experience of Dalglish may not necessarily be a threat, but a potential saviour.
Ironically, the biggest problems could come if Dalglish is so successful that he pushes a group of underachievers into an unlikely challenge for the Premier League top four.
Henry and his cohorts are still keen to appoint a new long-term manager in the summer and Comolli will be keen on the club taking up one of his recommendations.
However, Dalglish, who walked away from Liverpool in 1991 suffering from the stress and trauma that followed the Hillsborough disaster, will hope that the next six months will help make him a contender to take the post permanently.
As one of his former Liverpool players, Ray Houghton, put it yesterday: 'He has unfinished business, no doubt about it.'
It may be a while before the Dalglishs can look forward to their next leisurely cruise.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1AUFu3GcF

[The_weatherman]

Ha! I watched Universal Soldier and Kickboxer in one ill film watching session over the festives

Ah, good choices, although I took a break and watced the free video on the offal. FFS I hope this goes well, I really, really do. Not been so excited for a long time, hope the players feel so as well.

[Drago]

Just out of interest. How well would we have to do for people to want the King to be kept on?

I know other factors like who is available will come into it though.

[little dave hedgehog]

Kenny: The first interview
8th Jan 2011 - Latest News

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Shortly after arriving at the team hotel in Manchester ahead of Sunday's FA Cup showdown with Manchester United, Kenny Dalglish sat down with Liverpoolfc.tv to give his first in-depth interview after being named Reds boss for the second time.

Firstly, Kenny, another dramatic day at Liverpool Football Club?

Obviously it's a great honour for me to be back in charge of a football club which means so much to so many people. When somebody gets a bit of pleasure there's always the disappointment of someone else, and it's Roy. Roy is a very honourable guy with loads of integrity and I feel really sad for him. He came in at the start of the season when Rafa left, he tried his best but it just didn't happen for him and the disappointing thing for me is that this opportunity has come along and he has lost out. If you ask any manager if they want to manage Liverpool Football Club there's no way in the world they're going to say no, so he came in and unfortunately for himself and everyone else it didn't work out as we all hoped and I don't think there's anybody who supports the football club who will get any pleasure out of seeing it not work.

How does it feel to once again be the manager of Liverpool Football Club?

I'm a very lucky person. That's twice I've been very fortunate. I came here as a 15-year-old boy when Shanks asked me to sign and I was a wee bit homesick thinking I was too young to leave home. Then I got back as a player and left the club in February 1991. I'm fortunate to come back, even if it's only to the end of the season it makes no difference to me, this place is very special and all we can do is try our best to move the club forward a bit and try to win some more games.

What was your immediate reaction when you were asked to step in and help the club out?

Marina and I were away for a break, but I said at the start of the season that if they wanted me to help in any way, shape or form then I would do. My situation never changed. I was there to be of help to the football club and if John and Tom and Ian Ayre and Damien were happy to offer me the position then there was no way I could be disrespectful and not take it. I've been a very lucky boy to be asked to do this. All I would say is I'm going to do the best I possibly can to try and help the club, but everybody has to pull in the same direction. There's no point not being a unified unit. If we pull in different directions we won't get anywhere. I'm really looking forward to it and it'll be a real pleasure for me to be in that dressing room again and on the bench.

What's the reaction been like so far from your family, friends, ex-players and fans you've seen?

I was on the plane to come back from Dubai and it went out to take off and the news hadn't broken. Then it came back in to repair something and everybody's phone was going and people were coming up to me to say 'Congratulations, all the best'. My family have been brought up here and know what the football club stands for and what it means to a lot of people, so they're delighted. The excitement has to calm down a wee bit, we have to make sure we turn the excitement into some positivity for everybody and make sure we win games. That's the most important thing we have to do and the best way for us to do it is to support each other and we're very good at that. As someone once said, the closer we are and the harder we work then the luckier we'll get. So we'll work hard to get the luck we need.

You've spoken in the past about your desire to manage the club again, how confident are you that you can turn Liverpool's fortunes around this season?

I always said I'd help but I also made it perfectly clear I wasn't going to stand on anyone's toes to help. I was happy to help in any way I could, the football club and Roy. I think people know what they're getting and what's in the package with Kenny Dalglish, they know they'll get honesty and a great deal of commitment. I'll take my chances and hopefully we'll get more positive results than negative ones.

It has been a disappointing campaign so far but why do you think the results haven't been what we'd like and will a big part of your job now be trying to lift the confidence of the players?

Some people may find it strange that you're talking about some great players - Steven, Fernando, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Raul Meireles - and you mention confidence. It doesn't matter how good you are, if you're not confident in what you're doing and not believing that it's going to turn for you then you're not going to play as well. You can point them in the right direction and tell them how good they are, but they've got to believe in it. Our lads will admit themselves that they've not achieved this season and not maintained the standards that they're very capable of reaching. I might be fortunate and I might come in and get the luck that Roy missed out on. I'm sure Roy will be sitting and watching and hoping that we do well, because when you read the statement he made when he left the club then that tells you how dignified the man is.

On Sunday you'll walk out at Old Trafford to the sight and sound of 9,000 Liverpool fans singing your name - how do you think you'll feel when you make that walk along the touchline?

I'll feel very humble and probably a bit emotional. They know that they're equally as important as what we are, not just for Sunday's game but for every game. We might lose a game - not necessarily on Sunday - or we might not play too well and that's when we'll need their support. We also as a squad of players and as a management have to give them something to cheer about as well. I'm sure our people will respond if we go out there and they see that our lads are proud to play and that they'll do their best for Liverpool Football Club. We'll do our best to get the results that they all want, we won't always be successful, and to be perfectly realistic I think we have to say 'Let's just start walking before we run'. Let's not go crazy here and think the season changes and we're going to sweep everything aside now and go undefeated from now to the end of the season. We're perfectly capable of doing it but let's be realistic, let's just go out there and try our best and take things one game at a time.

Manchester United away in your first game back - exciting or daunting?

It's the same for both clubs I think. I'm sure Fergie would have picked an easier game if he could have picked one. Old Trafford is a fantastic stage to go and play your football, it's an FA Cup tie and the FA Cup has been devalued of late with people fielding weakened teams. United lost to Leeds last year after putting out a weakened side and I can't see him doing that tomorrow. All we've got to do is concern ourselves with us. Sammy, Mike, Damien and Roy up to today have been getting the boys ready for the game so they'll be the ones who are bigger players than me, but I'll be there beside them on the bench and we'll all be singing from the same hymn-sheet.

And have you thought about what you'll say to the players in your first team talk?

Yes, but it's changed 25 times on the flight home, so I'm sure it'll change again before the morning.

Do you think you'll feel nervous before kick off?

I felt nervous last night after I got the phone call, and I don't think there's anything wrong with feeling that anticipation. I also feel a great sense of pride to try and help everybody get what they want, which is results.

You'll be renewing past rivalries with Alex Ferguson as well, of course....

Yes, I don't have a problem with that. You have to respect what Alex has done in the game and you don't do it through gritted teeth. It's a fantastic achievement what he's done, his track record is fantastic, we respect him as a person and a football manager. It's all well and good people disliking him or disliking Manchester United, but it doesn't mean you don't respect what other people have done in football.

Away from matters on the pitch, will you be having conversations with Damien Comolli and the owners with a view to bringing in new players during this transfer window?

I'm just in the door. I'm sure there will be conversations but honestly, I have had minimal conversations about what's happening. I need to sit down and be told. I've got straight off the plane to do this interview and to try and get a message to the supporters and hope that I can repay the trust that John, Tom and the other footballing people, Ian and Damien, have put in me.

How excited are you by the challenge which lies ahead this season?

I'm really looking forward to it. You get nervous with anticipation but I'm looking forward to it. The games come up thick and fast, Sunday and then Wednesday at Blackpool and then the derby next Sunday. We've got to get on with it. It's really exciting and something I'm looking forward to. There's no fear, just a nervous anticipation about what's going to happen.

What is your target for the rest of this season?

To get as many wins as we can muster and then take it from there.

And finally, what's your message to Liverpool supporters as we all look forward to your second term as manager?

I'd just say if there's excitement among the supporters then I can share in that excitement. I think we've got to be realistic and a little bit patient. It's not going to turn overnight. I know there are lots of times when a manager leaves a football club and a new guy comes in and gives everyone a lift, well if the players get a bit of a lift then it has to last for more than one game. We've got to get it right between now and the end of the season and as I said earlier, there might be some disappointments but the biggest disappointment for me is if everyone who is involved in this football club doesn't give everything they have to give. If we do that then we have a good chance of finishing the season well.

I'm sure everybody is right behind you Kenny and we all wish you the best of luck...

It's a great pleasure to be back. We're working for people we know we can trust and working for people who only want the best for us as well. Let's just hope we can take this journey over the next five or six months together and have a successful time.

[sean_lfc]

Just out of interest. How well would we have to do for people to want the King to be kept on?

I know other factors like who is available will come into it though.

I think less of a matter is whether we want the King to stay on, but whether the King wants to stay on.

But I don't think it depends on certain statistics, more on the vibe he can bring within the squad, the authority he will bring upon the squad and the results he can achieve with what's at his disposal. It really all depends on the King.

Man I ****ing love talking about Scottish Royality!!!

[Kenneth]

Just out of interest. How well would we have to do for people to want the King to be kept on?

I know other factors like who is available will come into it though.

If there had been a chance of him staying to next year I think nesv wouldn't have appointed him. They want to put their plans into action in the summer and question marks over Kenny's future would really mess with that. I think Kenny has, and will publicly say, that he is definitely off again at the end of the season.

[Kenneth]

Obviously, if we win every game then everyone may change their minds (owners/kenny) but that's pretty unlikely

[DannyMan2006]

Just out of interest. How well would we have to do for people to want the King to be kept on?

I know other factors like who is available will come into it though.

I think it's more that I, personally speaking of course, would have to be sold on his vision of the club.

The questions asked of Kenny will need answering in the games to come. Many people have come on here and been negative, indeed there is a thread I think in the off field speculation part. In the short term we've needed this morale boost.

But long term we need more than that. We all hope Kenny can show he still knows the crack, I think he'll be just fine, but we'll find out soon enough.

[Reece]

Great interview. What a guy!