Kenny Dalglish sacked by Liverpool: Brendan Rodgers, Alan Pardew, Roberto Martinez and Andre Villas-Boas on list

Posted on May 17, 2012 by adminsports

Pardew, Rodgers, Martinez and Villas-Boas on Liverpool shortlist after King Kenny is dethroned

UPDATED:

06:47 GMT, 17 May 2012

Checking out: Kenny Dalglish flew to Boston for crunch talks

Kenny Dalglish was dramatically sacked after Liverpool’s owners held him responsible for the club’s dismal Barclays Premier League campaign.

Just 34 days after Liverpool chairman Tom Werner had said the Scot retained the ‘full support’ of Fenway Sports Group, Dalglish became the highest-profile victim of their ruthless cull.

Former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has been linked but Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, who is expected to hold talks with Aston Villa over their vacant managerial post, is currently the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Dalglish.

Other contenders could include Swansea’s Brendan Rodgers, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew, Marseille’s Didier Deschamps and Borussia Dortmund’s Jurgen Klopp.

Werner said: ‘Kenny came into the club as manager at our request at a time when Liverpool really needed him. He didn't ask to be manager; he was asked to assume the role. He did so because he knew the club needed him.

'He did more than anyone else to stabilise Liverpool over the past year-and-a-half. We owe him a great debt of gratitude. However, results in the Premier League have been disappointing and we believe to build on the progress that has already been made, we need to make a change.

'We are committed to delivering success for our supporters and our ambition remains resolute to return this great club to the elite of England and Europe, where it belongs.'

End of the road: Dalglish has been sacked after holding crunch talks with the club's owners regarding his future

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Anfield icon Dalglish was informed on Wednesday lunchtime of the decision by principal owner John W Henry that his contract, which had two years left to run, was being terminated. It was a tacit acceptance that he lacked the ability to deliver Champions League football.

Dalglish’s future had been the subject of intense scrutiny ever since he returned from a whistle-stop trip to Boston on Monday without any word from FSG about how their meeting had gone.

Under pressure: Dalglish's side finished below rivals Everton in the table after a disappointing campaign

Kop that: Former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas is listed as one of the favourites to succeed the Scot in charge of Liverpool

Who's in the frame

Roberto Martinez (6/4)
Rafa Benitez (13/8)
Alan Pardew (10/1)
Jose Mourinho (10/1)
Andre Villas-Boas (12/1)
Frank Rijkaard (12/1)
Brendan Rodgers (14/1)
Paul Lambert (14/1)

Though Liverpool won the Carling Cup and reached the FA Cup final, they finished eighth in the Premier League, one place behind neighbours Everton, with 52 points.

Dalglish, who left the country on Wednesday afternoon for a family holiday, follows director of football Damien Comolli, director of communications Ian Cotton and head of sports science Peter Brukner in being axed by FSG in the last five weeks. His assistant Steve Clarke also left with him.

Whoever comes in will need to bring success without spending swathes of cash, and part of the reason Dalglish has gone is because FSG were not convinced he would utilise their funds wisely this summer.

Dalglish celebrates Liverpool's penalty shootout Carling Cup win over Cardiff in February with Steve Clarke and Kevin Keen

Up for the Cup: Dalglish celebrates Liverpool's penalty shootout Carling Cup win over Cardiff in February

Dalglish's roll of honour

CELTIC PLAYER
Scottish First Division: Four titles (1972, 1973, 1974, 1977)
Scottish Cup: Four titles (1972, 1974, 1975, 1977)
Scottish League Cup: One title (1975).

LIVERPOOL PLAYER
First division: Five titles (1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984)
European Cup: Three titles (1978, 1981, 1984)
European Super Cup: One title (1978)
League Cup: Four titles (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984)
PFA Player of the Year: One award (1983)
FWA Footballer of the Year: Two awards (1979, 1983)

LIVERPOOL PLAYER-MANAGER
First division: Three titles (1986, 1988, 1990)
FA Cup: Two titles (1986, 1989)
Manager of the Year: Three awards (1986, 1988, 1990)

LACKBURN MANAGER
Premier League: One title (1995)
Manager of the Year: One award (1995)

CELTIC MANAGER
Scottish League Cup: One title (2000)

LIVERPOOL MANAGER
League Cup: One title (2012)

SCOTLAND INTERNATIONAL
Caps: 102 Goals: 30

Henry said: 'Kenny will always be more than a championship-winning manager, more than a championship-winning star player.

'He is in many ways the heart and soul of the club.

'He personifies everything that is good about Liverpool Football Club.

'He has always put the club and its supporters first. Kenny will always be a part of the family at Anfield.

'Our job now is to identify and recruit the right person to take this club forward and build on the strong foundations put in place during the last 18 months.’

Emotions were running high on Merseyside, with many supporters feeling that Dalglish had been treated poorly by FSG.

As well as retaining the backing of fans, there was no sign that any members of his squad had lost faith in his project.

Dalglish led Liverpool to their first trophy for six years at Wembley in February and insisted that Carling Cup success over Cardiff City meant the world to him.

He said in a statement: 'It has been an honour and a privilege to have had the chance to come back to Liverpool Football Club as manager.

'I greatly appreciate the work that Steve, Kevin, the players and all of the staff put in during my time and feel proud that we delivered the club's first trophy in six years winning the Carling Cup and came close to a second trophy in the FA Cup final.

Dalglish welcomed club record signing Andy Carroll and Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez to Anfield in February 2011

Fanfare: Dalglish welcomed club record signing Andy Carroll and Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez to Anfield in February 2011

Dalglish spent millions of pounds on the signings of Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Alexander Doni last summer

Cash: Dalglish spent millions of pounds on the signings of Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Alexander Doni last summer

'Of course I am disappointed with results in the league, but I would not have swapped the Carling Cup win for anything as I know how much it meant to our fans and the club to be back winning trophies.

'Whilst I am obviously disappointed to be leaving the football club, I can say that the matter has been handled by the owners and all concerned in an honourable, respectful and dignified way and reflects on the quality of the people involved and their continued desire to move the football club forward in the same way as when they arrived here.

Crestfallen Dalglish leads his players down the steps of Wembley after losing the FA Cup final to Chelsea

Defeat: Crestfallen Dalglish leads his players down the steps of Wembley after losing the FA Cup final to Chelsea

'Our job now is to identify and recruit the right person to take this club forward and build on the strong foundations put in place during the last 18 months.'

A 14th defeat of the season at Swansea on the final day of the season condemned the club to an eighth-place finish, their worst for 18 years and their lowest points tally (52) since 1953/54.

Dalglish

Final straw: Liverpool were beaten 1-0 by Swansea in the final game of the Premier League season on Sunday

'I would like to thank all of the staff at the club for their effort and loyalty. I said when first approached about coming back as manager that I would always be of help if I can at any time and that offer remains the same.

'Finally, I want to put on record my heartfelt gratitude to Liverpool's fans, who have always given me and the club their unwavering support. Without them neither the club nor I would have achieved anything.'

Controversy: Dalglish was criticised by some quarters over his support for Suarez during the Patrice Evra racism row

Return: Dalglish was ushered back in for a second stint as Liverpool boss in January 2011 following the sacking of Roy Hodgson

All smiles: Dalglish was all smiles following his comeback at Anfield

Former managing director Christian Purslow told BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘I’m extremely surprised and disappointed. They invested a lot of money in his team and I’m not sure they’ve given him anywhere near enough time to make the investment work. It seems bizarre to me.’

Club legend John Barnes said: ‘Liverpool have been a good cup side over the last few years but doing well in the league is what it’s all about.’

Ian Evatt happy Blackpool is no longer the Charlie Adam Show as West Ham showdown looms

Posted on May 17, 2012 by adminsports

Evatt happy Blackpool is no longer the Charlie Adam Show as West Ham showdown looms

UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 16 May 2012

Blackpool defender Ian Evatt has expressed his frustration at what he describes as the ‘Charlie Adam Show’ during Blackpool’s brief stay in the Premier League.

As Ian Holloway’s side bid to reclaim a place in the top-flight by beating West Ham in Saturday’s Championship play-off Final at Wembley, Evatt admitted that the constant transfer speculation about Adam before he finally joined Liverpool in the summer overshadowed Blackpool’s time in the spotlight.

‘I think it did,’ he said. ‘It was frustrating for the rest of the lads because sometimes it was the Charlie Adam Show.

Wembley wonder: Ian Evatt and Blackpool face West Ham on Saturday

‘That’s not taking away from what a fantastic player Charlie was for this club. But there were 10 other players in the team who helped Charlie along the way and I don’t think they got the credit they deserved.

‘All everyone seemed to talk about is Charlie Adam this, David Vaughan that. We weren’t a one or two-man team and we’ve proved that now. They left in the summer and we’ve ended up with a higher points total than we did that (promotion) season.’

This will be Evatt’s third playoff final with Blackpool in six years. In fact he has not lost any of his eight playoff games with the club, winning seven and drawing one.

Team effort: Evatt has said last season was the Charlie Adam Show at times

He revealed that this season’s success has forced Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Keith Southern and Brett Ormerod to miss a holiday to Spain that they had booked with their partners.

He added: ‘I said to them at the time, “never do that with us because we’re capable of anything” and it just shows. Needless to say the wives and girlfriends went on their own.’

Didier Drogba looking forward to facing Bayern Munich

Posted on May 17, 2012 by adminsports

Drogba refuses to dwell on the ghosts of Moscow as he prepares for 'special' final

UPDATED:

23:24 GMT, 16 May 2012

Didier Drogba has admitted he fell into the trap of thinking Chelsea would be back in the Champions League final a year after losing to Manchester United.

But Drogba is under no illusions that Saturday's showdown with Bayern Munich is almost certain to be his last shot at European glory and one he is desperate to take.

This weekend's Allianz Arena clash is set to bring down the curtain on Drogba's glittering career at Stamford Bridge, with the striker out of contract at the end of the season.

Mistaken: Didier Drogba thought Chelsea would immediately have another shot at a European final after Moscow

The 34-year-old was won every domestic honour going in England – multiple times – but the Champions League has proven elusive, never more so than in Moscow four years ago when Chelsea were within a penalty kick of clinching it.

Drogba said: 'After Moscow, we thought that we were going to get to the final the next year.

'But that's Champions League – it's very difficult to reach the final and I think it shows how much we deserve to be there today.'

Drogba was as much to blame as anybody for Chelsea's defeat to United, with then manager Avram Grant revealing John Terry would have been spared the doomed penalty that would have won the final had his team-mate not been sent off.

This season's FA Cup triumph reinforced Drogba's status as the king of domestic cup finals but it has been a different story on the biggest stages, with two agonising African Nations Cup final defeats also on his CV.

Special: Drogba says this year's final is one of the biggest games of his career

He said: 'I've got a lot of disappointments but I've also got a lot of great moments in finals so I'm going to try to make sure that, for my team-mates, this one is a great one.'

Drogba, who has been linked with a surprise summer move to Barcelona, has spoken before of his determination to make amends for Moscow on Saturday but he is keen not to dwell on past failures.

'It's not good to speak about the past because we have a great moment here,' he said.

'I could speak with you about Bayern Munich and the next Champions League final rather than speak about the other final.'

Admitting this weekend's clash was 'one of the biggest games' of his career, he added: 'I've played a lot with Chelsea but this one is going to be special because it's only the second time we have reached the Champions League final.

'So we are going to do everything to go there and be ready to play against this German team.'

Gareth Barry believes more silverware will follow title victory

Posted on May 17, 2012 by adminsports

Barry believes City title victory will lead to a glut of silverware

UPDATED:

23:33 GMT, 16 May 2012

Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry is convinced there will be more trophies to follow after the ecstasy of winning a first league title for 44 years.

Barry accepted he took a leap of faith when he left Aston Villa for City three years ago.

For all the money being spent by Sheikh Mansour, there was no guarantee of success for a club who tend to revel in failure.

Parade: Manchester City players lap up their title win

However, in winning last season's FA Cup and then landing the Premier League trophy this term, City are, in manager Roberto Mancini's words, changing the course of history.

And Barry is certain it is only the start.

'Looking back three years ago words were put in my head,' he said.

'But words are so easily spoken and I really thought long and hard about the decision to come here.

'In the end, I believed the people who told me this club was going places and the type of player they were going to sign.

'I just thought it was the right decision and that is how it has turned out.

'And, by the end of my contract, I am sure there will be even more trophies too.'

In fact, the 30-year-old believes last weekend's seismic events makes further glory even more likely.

'It will make everyone even hungrier,' he said.

'When we remember what it felt like, in that changing room afterward, will make everyone want it more.

'I am sure that will happen. People said the first Premier League title was going to be the hardest one. And it was really hard to get over that line.'

Barry admits the negativity that would have surrounded the club without that dramatic five minutes of injury time would have been immense.

In the build-up to the game, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson spoke of the 'untold damage' that could be created by a City failure.

Clubbing: Barry (right) celebrated with some golf alongside James Milner

To that end, Barry accepts the true impact of those late, late goals from Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero goes far beyond merely winning one game, or even one trophy.

'They could be everything,' he said.

'You can imagine how we would have felt if we hadn't managed to get the winner and what the difference in the dressing room would have been like.

'That says it all really. I am sure it can be the start of history.'

It certainly condemned title rivals United to a miserable summer as they pondered where it all went wrong.

That when their own game finished at Sunderland they were technically champions is just part of the pain. The real reason to lament comes from tossing away an eight-point lead in the space of four matches, the first of which, a defeat at Wigan, was the night when City began to think the impossible comeback was on.

What if: Sergio Aguero's goal has changed Manchester City's future

'It all turned on our win over West Brom,' said Barry.

'Carlos Tevez had come back, which lifted everyone. He was working really hard and started in that game.

'Then we came back to the changing room and found out United had been beaten at Wigan. From that moment on, everyone thought we were right back in it.'

Yet the history books will also underline the significance of City's 6-1 win at Old Trafford, a result that went a long way to establishing the eight-goal swing between the clubs that ultimately decided the title in City's favour.

Beyond that, it provided the self-belief needed to complete a 38-game season on top.

'It's right that result should be mentioned when we speak about the league title,' said Barry. 'It was just so out of the ordinary.'

Samir Nasri reveals Patrice Evra"s paint stripper threat

Posted on May 17, 2012 by adminsports

Nasri reveals Evra's jovial paint stripper threat after City title win

UPDATED:

21:11 GMT, 16 May 2012

Samir Nasri revealed on Wednesday night that Patrice Evra has threatened to wash his car with paint stripper after the Manchester United defender lost their bet over who would win the Premier League title.

The France teammates were in constant contact before Manchester City were crowned champions on goal difference in a sensation end to the season.

Nasri said: ‘On the eve of the last game, Patrice sent me a text message saying, “well done for winning the title”.

Winner: Samir Nasri with the highly coveted trophy

'I told him nothing was over yet, but he said “if you don’t beat QPR and you’re not champions this year then you will never be champions again”.

‘We’d made a little bet together before when we were a few points behind. Then Evra said: “Anyway, you’ll be champions, and I’m gutted. I’ve bought some pant stripper to wash your car with!”.’

Carlos Tevez hits out at "President of England" Sir Alex Ferguson

Posted on May 17, 2012 by adminsports

Tevez hits out at 'President' Fergie's rule as spat continues

UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 16 May 2012

Carlos Tevez reopened his verbal war with Sir Alex Ferguson on Wednesday night after arriving in Argentina for a summer break.

Manchester City striker Tevez caused controversy at the club’s title parade on Monday when he held aloft a sign saying: ‘RIP Fergie’.

The sign was given to Tevez – who played under Ferguson at Manchester United – by a fan, but City still felt obliged to apologise to their rivals.

Sign: Carlos Tevez holds up an 'RIP Fergie' poster

Now Tevez has opened the wounds again by telling reporters in Buenos Aires he has nothing to apologise for.

He said: ‘It seems Ferguson is the president of England. All the time he speaks badly about a player and he has said the worst about me. But I never asked him to apologise.

‘But if somebody makes a joke about him, you must apologise to him. But I don’t apologise.

‘There’s no relationship at all between me and Ferguson.’

Tevez also stated that despite his problems last season he now wants to stay at City. He added: ‘I had some problems and I was out, but I did my best to give my last grain of sand to help them win this title.’

Meanwhile Tevez’s team-mate Samir Nasri expects Eden Hazard to join City.

Hazard will announce his decision on Monday and Nasri claims that the attraction of City and influence of fellow Belgium international Vincent Kompany will see the 30million-rated Lille star opt to sign for the new Premier League champions.

Target: Samir Nasri believes Eden Hazard (right) will join Manchester City

‘I think he will come to City,’ said Nasri. ‘There is already one Belgian in the squad. I was in the same position as Eden Hazard last year. I chose City and I don’t regret my choice.

‘He’s a young, talented player and at Manchester United there are a lot of people on the wings.

‘I thought for a few months before making my decision, with my parents and my advisors. City were building and had recruited with the likes of Sergio Aguero. Patrick Vieira said that if I won the title I’d be part of history.’

Another City target, Robin van Persie, started negotiations with Arsene Wenger over a new Arsenal deal yesterday – but the talks ended in deadlock.

Van Persie and his agent Kees Vos met Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis, but the Holland international is understood to have expressed his concerns at the club’s chances of challenging for honours.

Wenger hopes the signing of Lukas Podolski – and prospective moves for the likes of Rennes midfielder Yann M’Vila and Ajax captain Jan Vertonghen – can convince Van Persie, along with a three-year deal worth close to 26million.

West Indies weakened by wealth of IPL: Nasser Hussain

Posted on May 17, 2012 by adminsports

Sadly, the West Indies have been weakened by wealth of IPL

UPDATED:

21:58 GMT, 16 May 2012

You've got to feel a bit sorry for West Indies. When the first Test starts at Lord's today against an England side in their own conditions and ranked No 1 in the world, they'll be doing so with one hand tied behind their back.

Several guys who could be here – the likes of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell – are all busy in the Indian Premier League, while Ramnaresh Sarwan appears to have fallen out with the West Indian board.

That's four or five players who could make a serious difference.

Hamstrung: Sammy has his work cut out if he is to win the series

I appreciate that captain Darren Sammy and coach Ottis Gibson are making the most out of limited resources. But the fact that the West Indies Cricket Board are struggling financially means they are always going to lose players to the IPL.

It's sad for them and it's sad for the world game. As a captain, though, I wonder how much sympathy you'd have for guys who are happy to cash in elsewhere rather than play Test cricket.

Sure, you can't necessarily blame the likes of Gayle and Kieron Pollard for going to the IPL. But if you're looking to build a side who are willing to do the hard yards, you're looking for guys who put West Indies cricket first and buy into what the coach and captain are trying to do.

If they refuse to buy into that, then they're clearly not the sort of characters you want. But if they're willing to listen, then it comes down to a question of man-management. And that's what worries me slightly.

Missing in action: Bravo (left) and Gayle (right) are playing IPL cricket

There's talk of a breakdown in relations between Gibson and some of the players who aren't in this squad. But, for me, part of the art of being a captain or a coach is to accommodate as much talent as you can, regardless of whether they are difficult customers.

People have been talking about a revival, but let's be honest here. Two wins in 30 Tests since they skittled England in Jamaica three years ago is a very limited sort of revival.

It's true that, in the right conditions, their bowling attack can be handy. But with their batsmen, you always feel a collapse is just round the corner. And that's why England are red-hot favourites.

Andrew Strauss will be saying to his team that a breakthrough is never far away. And he'll point out that West Indies rarely manage to string two substantial innings together in the same game.

There is some serious talent in this West Indies squad. Shivnarine Chanderpaul will bat all day, and Darren Bravo has got all the shots. But they've got to learn how to string it all together over five days of a Test. If they don't, England will be licking their lips.

Final preparations: The Windies squad were at Lord's on Wednesday

Kenny Dalglish sacked by Liverpool: Owners accept he"s out of his depth

Posted on May 17, 2012 by adminsports

King no more! Dalglish exits Liverpool as owners forced to accept he's out of his depth

UPDATED:

22:27 GMT, 16 May 2012