Kenny Dalglish is back at Anfield. The king returns to his home though not so ceremoniously like the previous occasion. But, it is always a feel-good-factor to have the legends back at the club and getting associated with various roles.
The 62-year-old returns this time at the club for the role of non-executive director on the board, 16 months after being sacked as a manager. His primary job will be to contribute to the strategic issues at the club as Liverpool owners and the manager are keen to extract valuable inputs from his decades of experience.
Arguably the best Liverpool player ever to have graced the green blades of Anfield, Dalglish represented Liverpool for 13 years as a player. He was appointed as an ambassador for the club before his appointment as caretaker manager in January 2011 following the dismissal of Roy Hodgson. However, his second stint as a manager at this club was not successful as compared to his glorious past as a player-manager, and after finishing 8th in the league, he was asked to leave the post.
He said as quoted in The Guardian:
“It is an honour and privilege to be asked to return to Liverpool as a director of the club. I have always said if there is anything I could do to help this club I would make myself available – when the call came I had no hesitation.
“I am looking forward to working with the board of directors and contributing to the strategic issues that affect Liverpool Football Club. Liverpool has given me and my family so much since we came here just over 36 years ago and my priority is and will always be to have the club’s best interests at heart.”
That is what Dalglish is all about. Rodgers insisted that he was taken aback with the man’s hunger, passion and the drive to see Liverpool return to where it should be.
Rodgers added: “When I met Kenny to discuss this appointment, I was struck by the passion and drive he still has in wanting to see Liverpool return to where it should be; one of the most successful club’s in the world.
“We are all together in that goal – owners and supporters, players and management and also icons such as Kenny Dalglish. I want people around us who have this club and what it stands for in their heart.”
A manager’s reign can turn out to be failure, it can happen with anyone, but Kenny’s relationship with Liverpool is more than just a former player and manager.
What Achilles is to the Greeks, Romulus to the Romans, Charlemagne to the French, Beowulf to the Englishman – Kenny Dalglish is to the Liverpool – beside him, rest are just a shadowy figure. He is the King here. He is loved here, respected here, adored here. Probably getting into the management was not the right choice but getting him back at the club is always a boost.
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