Premier League - Dalglish relishing opportunity

Eurosport - Sat, 04 Jul 14:40:00 2009

Returning hero Kenny Dalglish has promised to make the most of his second chance with Liverpool.

FOOTBALL 2008 Kenny Dalglish - 0

The Scot - branded 'King Kenny' by the Anfield faithful after winning eight league titles and three Europeans Cups with the Reds as a player and then manager - confirmed on Friday he has accepted a senior role in the club's academy and as a global ambassador for the Merseysiders.

He immediately revealed his gratitude towards manager Rafael Benitez for handing him an official position at Liverpool for the first time since he quit as boss in February 1991.

"I spoke to Rafa a few months ago, and things have progressed from there," Dalglish told the club's website. "Now that it has come to fruition I am very excited, but also a bit nervous."

He added: "For the boss to put his trust in me is a great compliment, and I am coming back as a very lucky person.

"When you leave a club you don't often have a chance to return, so I am fortunate for being given such a fantastic opportunity."

Dalglish's appointment is part of a wide-ranging revamp of the Liverpool academy, which has been criticised for failing to produce enough youngsters with first-team potential.

Frank McParland was brought is as director last month, and Dalglish is delighted to be part of the renewed focus on youth.

"Rafa has made a very brave decision to revamp the academy," he said. "Everyone knows the most important team at the club is the first team, and we hope we can start producing players to challenge for a place in Rafa's plans."

Benitez, who has been criticised for often favouring fellow Spaniards for key positions at the club, believes the appointment of Dalglish shows he is sympathetic to Liverpool's glittering past.

"We are changing things at the academy; we are bringing in new ideas and new people - but we're keeping the spirit and the heart of the club," he said. "Kenny has played for the club; he's managed the club; he's done everything. He's a fantastic signing."

PA Sport

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  1. PAULJUDD6, YOU SEEM TO KNOW A LOT,............. WHO DO­ YOU THINK WILL BE THE NEXT BIG NAME TO LEAVE MAN.U FOR­ REAL MADRID......... I SAY VIDIC AND OR ROONEY.. THAT­ DEPT MUST BE SERVICED. EH

    From TEVEZ, on Sat 4 Jul 4:18PM
  2. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Mascherano will go, Alonso will go, Rafa will win nowt!­ Beneathus by name, beneath us by nature. I thank you.

    From Sid, on Sat 4 Jul 4:08PM
  3. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    the acadamy! benitez only buys players, he does not use­ his acadamy! dalglish ,feck me he must be bored of the­ golf!!

    From tumgeshpower, on Sat 4 Jul 11:56AM

  4. The legend of Dalglish continues at LFC.... He is­ the true top of the kops and a total legend

    From LFC Liverpool top of the kops, on Sat 4 Jul 10:36AM

  5. nice to have kenny back, 1st player/manager to do­ double. ( fergie not done that)
    now rafa can focus on­ the team and leave the academy in dalglish's­ hands.
    this is good for liverpool, now matter what manc­ supporters post here

    From SIMON, on Sat 4 Jul 9:13AM

  6. The best team in Scotland and the best team in England­ will always have a close link. Thank you Celtic and­ Paisley for giving Liverpool Dalglish the greatest ever­ Liverpool player...
    He will be a massive ispiration­ for the youngsters! Looking good for Liverpool and­ the LFC academy of football..

    From bryjones71, on Sat 4 Jul 9:10AM

  7. :)) King Kenny of the kop

    From bryjones71, on Sat 4 Jul 8:35AM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    looks like the waiter is on his way ,cant manage it­ !!!!

    From lemontreesid, on Sat 4 Jul 6:54AM

  9. Congratulations and welcome back! All great experience­ welcomed! Can't wait for the season to start! Oh­ and it was souness who got shut of Peter Beardlsey from­ the pool.

    From Love, on Sat 4 Jul 2:56AM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    dalgliesh has never honoured a full contract in his­ life, just like keagan and souness, they are what my­ late father called cheque book managers lets see how he­ gets on this time?

    From david, on Sat 4 Jul 1:24AM

  11. King Kenny Dalglish is back! We needed some more­ liverpool blood at the club, he is a red through and­ through!

    From clivewilliamson, on Fri 3 Jul 11:25PM

  12. @#$% wher have you been

    From lemontreesid, on Fri 3 Jul 10:41PM

  13. yes the man is back.He is a legend for liverpool.

    From liverpoolfan30, on Fri 3 Jul 10:31PM
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    A Global Ambassador!!! Hahahahahahahah!! He doesn't­ even speak English that anyone can understand!!

    From davids2kids, on Fri 3 Jul 10:12PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    I always blame this guy for dismantling 'The­ Entertainers' at NUFC!
    He took over a squad that­ merely needed tweaking to make it a force in Europe;­ got rid of Sir Les, Beardsley and a few others and­ replaced them with his 'jobs for the boys'­ squad of Rush, Barnes, Pearce etc.
    Over-rated at best!

    From cameron w, on Fri 3 Jul 9:59PM

  16. 12 - didnae work at celtic park during the Barnes era!!­ Is there a Bairds bar in Liverpool??

    From Singin' Ginger!!, on Fri 3 Jul 9:56PM

  17. KING KENNY!!!!

    From Creaven91, on Fri 3 Jul 8:51PM

  18. Man.Utd fans are obviously jealous as they always feel­ the need to poke their nose in over Liverpool's­ affairs. To be honest im not sure if Kenny will have an­ effect, but he was a great player, a great manager and­ a great ambassador for the club, so good luck to him.

    From WENDY H, on Fri 3 Jul 8:18PM

  19. KING KENNY IS BACK LONG LIVE THE KING!! YNWA KENNY LAD

    From John, on Fri 3 Jul 7:31PM

  20. Made his name with who????? Dalglish had been with­ Celtic for 6/7 years, scored over 100 goals and was a­ fixture for Scotland so sorry but he made his name with­ Celtic the FIRST BRITISH CLUB to win the European Cup.

    From Alastair Helme, on Fri 3 Jul 7:08PM
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