Topic: Kenny Dalglish sacked by LFC

[zabadoh]

In a sense, this was good.

It showed that FSG are utterly ruthless.

As large a figure as King Kenny cuts in LFC history, last season's results were unacceptable, considering how much money was spent or even just with the expectations of a club of our ambitions.

It shows that FSG are only interested in results, period.  Sentiment and nostalgia take a distant second with this lot.

And this is a club whose history is rife with holding onto players, and maybe managers, past their prime or appointed because of an emotional connection with the club.  Rush, Barnes, Evans, Souness.

If you are first, you are first.  If you are second, you are nothing -Bill Shankly

[ladcameo]

Well Decent effort from Kenny. But he got it ALL wrong with his buys and transfers and the way he wasted non English Talent, an Aquillani for starters, Kuyt Maxi Raul Meireles to an extent too. Glad he kept Reina Skrtel and Agger though. As an over seas supporter I dint have many hopes pinned on another term for him. Started following from the first season of Rafa and his reign was six dream years (minus the last one may be).

So another term would have been a bit of extravagence in my book. In some post match conferences where even a draw hurt us pretty bad he was as clueless as an average supporter. May be am going overboard. Long live the King but time to move on. Am in for any non English Manager coz most of them are a bunch of Jokers.

[Rormac]

Now I know you are all probably thinking "hang on Billy, that was Kenny's first season back, the other two had had a few years at the helm".

Correct

[stjohn65]

They surely must have someone else lined up for the job. Well they better do, or this decision is made even worse.

like they had a replacement lined up for the DoF, and a clear idea of who could fill all the other key positions at the club. as well as a sound plan for the stadium

or maybe they're just fucking clueless.

to be honest, i think we've given them far too easy a ride up until now. that really can't be the way any more, these gobshites need to be accountable.

[red_dub]

Some LFC fans i have spoken to regarding this have acted as if its a given that LFC should be in the top four. I'm sorry but its not and unless great decisions are made in the next 3 months wwe wont be and for a while. This whole situation is short sighted and imo very damaging to the club. who is going to make this massive decisions???

[Black Bull Nova]

I think it would be fair to say that today was the day that 'The Liverpool Way' died

Unfortunately it's died and been revived already at least once

[TheTeflonJohn]

If Rafa had won the League Cup, finished fifth but lost the CL Final, would he have been kept on?  Perhaps 7 years ago under Moores, given the incompetence surrounding his appointment in the first place.  If that scenario happened now?  I'd doubt it, but then when did Rafa have the opportunity to spend £100m (£44m net) in a single summer?

Thats ridiculous

You really think that if Rafa was in charge last season and he won the League cup, finished 5th and took us to a Champions league final  (but lost) then FSG would sack him?

[TSC]

The club took the decision based on that we came 8th in the league, which quite frankly is unacceptable.

What's unacceptable is to sack a manager after one poxy year, and not just 'any manager'.  And to traipse his ass over to the states to do it.  They've now established a precedent.  Out within a year.  No long term planning allowed.  Immediate success. 

I'd love to see what exactly is their plan? 

What about the stadium?  That's all gone a bit quiet.  Who are their rep's over this side of the Atlantic?  What are their longer term plans exactly?

Well they've now made a decision which will generally be unpopular with the match going support.  Nice one. Scarey thing is who are they going to seek advice from to appoint a manager?  Because they have no background or history in this field.  And they apparently are on a crusade to sack anyone with any football knowledge at the club.

A dark day indeed.  Not for the first time in recent history sadly at this circus.

[LFC when it suits]

Sad day. Kenny is arguably the biggest icon in the clubs history, but the reality is, the results have been unacceptable and the money has been wasted and so many mistakes have been made that it's pretty much unforgivable.

I wanted Kenny to get one more season largely out of loyalty but even if he did get one more season, I still couldn't see him turning it around to be honest.

[redintweed]

Those sayign Rafa, despite the fucking lack of respect to be calling for anyone right now other than the heads of Werner and Henry, it will not be Rafa in a million years. A guy with strong fan connections who is associated with Liverpool's history who is extremly strong willed. Fails the FSG test in every way.
They will want their own man. Young, modern thinking, who will not upset the media or have the authority to challenge whoever they bring in as DoF. Add to that their utter lack of knowledge about the game and they will go for flavour of the month ala Martinez.
It is going to be a clusterfuck. But hey eventually we may get to the point where we can challenge for 4th place, in 4 or 5 years time, having replaced our young manager with an overpaid Capello type.
May 16 2012 - The day the Liverpool I grew up supporting finally died, after a long lingering illness.

This about sums it up for me. Rafa will not work with a DOF. He's said it in the past. All Kenny's work of the last 18 months is now pissed up against the wall. Whoever comes in will have a different style of play and it will take a season for the players to get used to it. Not to mention the turnover of players as well. If we don't get fourth next season, will the new guy get sacked? This just sucks as far as I am concerned. If FSG were in charge when Shankly was here, he would have been sacked after 1 or 2 years. FSG are not doing too many things that make me feel too good about the future at the moment. 3 gaffers in 3 years is a disgrace. No word on the new stadium either. Sacking people left right and centre. FSG has a lot of making up to do with the fans as far as I'm concerned. Get ready for another mid table finish next year. And yes, I'd love to eat my words.

Long live King Kenny.

[CraigDS]

What's unacceptable is to sack a manager after one poxy year, and not just 'any manager'.  And to traipse his ass over to the states to do it.  They've now established a precedent.  Out within a year.  No long term planning allowed.  Immediate success. 

I'd love to see what exactly is their plan? 

The problem was with the money that was spent they'd of want to of seen some improvement in the league (not even league position just performances) and that hasn't happened.

I think if he'd of finished slightly higher up but still not top 4, but we had really shown some improvement then he'd still have a job.

[echis]

Kenny is arguably the biggest icon in the clubs history

And always will be for me. This changes nothing.

[TSC]

The problem was with the money that was spent they'd of want to of seen some improvement in the league (not even league position just performances) and that hasn't happened.

I think if he'd of finished slightly higher up but still not top 4, but we had really shown some improvement then he'd still have a job.

Well they've made a horrendous decision in my view, short termism knee jerk, and they don't appear to have a clue anyway.  Fuck knows where the club's going.  Fuck it, no interest anyway

[Fluke]

If you are first, you are first.  If you are second, you are nothing -Bill Shankly

Shankly would have been fired by FSG.

I'm gutted. Really am.

[stjohn65]

The problem was with the money that was spent they'd of want to of seen some improvement in the league (not even league position just performances) and that hasn't happened.

I think if he'd of finished slightly higher up but still not top 4, but we had really shown some improvement then he'd still have a job.

yeah, but you're basing that opinion on the assumption that our overlords know the square root of diddly squat about soccerball. i'd need to see a bit more evidence to support that assumption before i get on board.

[Red Beret]

However, I see that those who have dared to trot out the line "I love Kenny but......" in recent times now seem to be deemed as turn coats by some circles. It seems they are being asked if they are now happy that they have got what they were wishing for. That's a tad harsh IMO. I'll hold my hand up, I trotted that line out a few times on here in recent months. But you see, when I say I love Kenny, I actually mean it. It's not just some pre disguise for a thinly veiled attack, I actually do mean it.

And any criticism I put forward about his managerial methods are not meant in a scathing manner, but merely put forward in way of an opinion in order to contribute to constructive debate. The guy has been my idol for as long as I can remember and his return stirred emotions in me that I can't really put into words. So I'll take grave offense to anyone who accuses me of taking pot shots at a guy who I deem as an idol of mine

Top top post and I especially agree with this bit.  As a 12 year old I stood on Queen's Drive with my Dad and watched Liverpool and Kenny bring the double home.  He's an icon and legend of this club, and as far as I'm concerned he leaves with his head held high.

Our league campaign though, has been an abject failure.  It wasn't about instant success - unless, like Arsenal,  you count top four as success.  If we'd missed out on fourth by a handful of points and still brought a trophy home, I'm sure Kenny'd still be here.  Like I said, it wasn't about a failure to achieve instant success.  It was just unmitigated failure.  Yes we played some very good football and how many keepers decided to have their game of the season against us?  But we also know there was more than one game that was so lacklustre as to be virtually paralytic.  The problems that have plagued the club on the pitch for years are still there, glaringly obvious.

Time will tell whether this decision will prove to be a mistake.  But FSG have pumped a decent amount of cash into this club and what have they got to show for it?  If Rafa walked back through the Shankly gates tomorrow how many of us would be thinking about what we could achieve next season?

I am sad - gutted- that things have had to end this way, but I have to say I expected it and my shock didn't last long.  That doesn't mean I love Kenny any less though.

[Gifted Right Foot]

i knew a decision had to be made asap but i wasnt expecting that.  thanks for everything kenny!

[stockdam]

Well nothing will change this memory......

[Carlos: Very Kickable]

I also feel that a lot of the anger has been misdirected.

FSG gave Kenny the chance in the first place - and they backed him with money to spend.

For me a good few of the players are to blame. Not theones who missed passes or couldnt put the ball in the back of the net but those who couldn't bring themselves to look interested let alone put any effort in running around and working hard on more than one occassion. Kenny stood up for them and they let him, and us, down.

Absolute disgrace. I hope their money keeps them happy.

[norbert]

Americans are super sensitive to bad publicity. I wonder how much the Suarez affair had to do with it. Also makes me wonder what they think of how it was handled and ultimately how they regard Suarez. One way or another his actions and suspension derailed the team.

[CraigDS]

I also feel that a lot of the anger has been misdirected.

FSG gave Kenny the chance in the first place - and they backed him with money to spend.

For me a good few of the players are to blame. Not theones who missed passes or couldnt put the ball in the back of the net but those who couldn't bring themselves to look interested let alone put any effort in running around and working hard on more than one occassion. Kenny stood up for them and they let him, and us, down.

Absolute disgrace. I hope their money keeps them happy.

Wasnt it his job to get the best out of them though?

[TSC]

  But FSG have pumped a decent amount of cash into this club and what have they got to show for it?

 

Depends what you mean by a 'decent amount'.  Haven't invested that much and now been here through three transfer windows.  Something like £30m isn't it after the money in from sales?

Anyway, their silence on the stadium is also deafening.  No fuckin idea what they'll do next.  Unfortunately I don't think they do either.

[CraigDS]

Americans are super sensitive to bad publicity. I wonder how much the Suarez affair had to do with it. Also makes me wonder what they think of how it was handled and ultimately how they regard Suarez. One way or another his actions and suspension derailed the team.

If the Suarez incident was anything to do with it then Suarez would of been sold or at least transfer listed by now.

[TSC]

Americans are super sensitive to bad publicity. I wonder how much the Suarez affair had to do with it. Also makes me wonder what they think of how it was handled and ultimately how they regard Suarez. One way or another his actions and suspension derailed the team.

Yeah wouldn't be surprised to see Suarez forced out now, or at least no-one will stand in his way when he wants to go.

[Billy The Kid]

Well nothing will change this memory......

Nor should it in any way

Kenny's standing within Liverpool will always be iconic.

Always.

[stjohn65]

Americans are super sensitive to bad publicity.

there's an idea...anyone know any internet terrorists?

[stockdam]

There are some twats on twitter...........


hulkamania78 ‏@hulkamania78
@marinadalglish @TimFergusonMUFC Dalglish is a dinosaur. Unfortunately he still thinks it 1995 and Carroll is a modern day Sutton

[Hazell]

Thank you.

[liverpooll]

Depends what you mean by a 'decent amount'.  Haven't invested that much and now been here through three transfer windows.  Something like £30m isn't it after the money in from sales?

Anyway, their silence on the stadium is also deafening.  No fuckin idea what they'll do next.  Unfortunately I don't think they do either.

Wrong, they have always said money is available. But Kenny/ Comolli had other ideas.  And last year was our biggest spending ever, and you still believe that they have not supported the manager? FSG have done everything they could to support the manager in transfer market.

[TSC]

There are some twats on twitter...........


hulkamania78 ‏@hulkamania78
@marinadalglish @TimFergusonMUFC Dalglish is a dinosaur. Unfortunately he still thinks it 1995 and Carroll is a modern day Sutton

Don't be quoting no marks from there ffs.  Bad enough without it

[TSC]

Wrong, they have always said money is available. But Kenny/ Comolli had other ideas.  And last year was our biggest spending ever, and you still believe that they have not supported the manager? FSG have done everything they could to support the manager in transfer market.

I can't be arsed no more, still stunned.  They (owners) can go fuck themselves as far as I'm concerned.

[stockdam]

Don't be quoting no marks from there ffs.  Bad enough without it

Sorry.........I hate idiots that send crap to people like Marina who must be gutted.

[rushyman]

Im just wondering a pretty base question

Who are advising FSG? i mean without being at all degrading to them they know as much as my mrs about football. In fact, less. So id like to know who makes these decisions really? I mean if theyre going to get someone like Hiddink in and give him a huge war chest, fair enough. But I doubt it, in fact it'll prob be quite the opposite

So I feel sorry for the next man, because every time we're anything but perfect he'll get the 'who the fuck do you think you are' treatment. Unless its Rafa

[libby_lfc]

Every morning lately when I get on RAWK I'm worried I'll see this. And today I did. Still quite stunned... Kenny will always be a legend. Can't believe he's really gone... I really hope FSG know what they're doing.

[ElSheak]

Hmmm, I've been reading through all the threads on here about Kenny for about the last 4 hours now. I've read pretty much every post in all of them up until now. I initially felt mixed but largely sombre emotions when I heard the news that his tenure had come to an end. Sombre was probably my overriding emotion. I mean, its Kenny Dalglish we're talking about here. He's not just anybody, he's the single biggest living icon in Liverpool Football Club's history. Mine and every other Liverpool fans hero I'm sure.

So naturally, emotions have been running high for these last few hours. It's perfectly understandable that many feel aggrieved over his departure . When I initially heard the news I thought" What? Sacked? After 1 full season? Is this for fucking real?". In my opinion he should have been given another season, but alas, I don't make those decisions, our new owners do. That's the harsh reality of it weather we like it or not.

Like I said, I've pretty much spent the last 4 hours reading post after post on here. I've read the sombre posts, I've read the angry posts, I've read the knee jerk posts, I've read the posts that remind of the good times, I've read the posts that remind me of the better times I've taken them all in and considered each point of view along side my own in order to try to come to some sort of a conclusion about how I actually really feel about it all.

So whether or not anyone agrees with anything I say from here on in, I can at least assure you that I did give it all due consideration. I found myself in the classic "head versus heart" situation. My heart wants to defend Kenny to the hilt, it really does. That's not a throw away comment by the way. That is actually how I feel in there. Its turmoil and that's the truth.

However, I see that those who have dared to trot out the line "I love Kenny but......" in recent times now seem to be deemed as turn coats by some circles. It seems they are being asked if they are now happy that they have got what they were wishing for. That's a tad harsh IMO. I'll hold my hand up, I trotted that line out a few times on here in recent months. But you see, when I say I love Kenny, I actually mean it. It's not just some pre disguise for a thinly veiled attack, I actually do mean it.

And any criticism I put forward about his managerial methods are not meant in a scathing manner, but merely put forward in way of an opinion in order to contribute to constructive debate. The guy has been my idol for as long as I can remember and his return stirred emotions in me that I can't really put into words. So I'll take grave offense to anyone who accuses me of taking pot shots at a guy who I deem as an idol of mine

But when I revert to approaching it all with my head as opposed to my heart, then there are some glaringly worrying aspects about our recent league campaign that make me think that the termination of his tenure may have been a decision that FSG were correct in taking. Remember when I said that we weren't just talking about anyone here? When I placed Kenny a top of the grand scheme of all things Liverpool? Well here's the bit where I have to park my emotional ties to him and be completely arbitrary in assessing our most recent league campaign which was played out under his stewardship.

That was our poorest league campaign in well over half a century. We came in on 8 points less than Houllier did in his last campaign in 04, which was widely regarded by many as one of the poorest seasons of recent times. We came 11 points less than Rafa did in 2010, in a season where he was accused of delivering unacceptably turgid football. He just like Houllier also got the sack. Now I know you are all probably thinking "hang on Billy, that was Kenny's first season back, the other two had had a few years at the helm".

Well, Kenny hardly inherited a team of no hopers did he? No, he inherited a squad which was capable of challenging for a spot higher than 8th. And considering he pumped over 75 million worth of attacking talent into the squad last summer (on top of the reinvestment of the Torres money) then it becomes harder to excuse the fact that we finished with 52 points and the 4th worst home record in the league. Not to mention the paltry amount of goals scored.

Fair enough we may have enjoyed 2 cup runs with 1 on of them ending in triumph, but I'm sure most would have to concede that cup runs aren't really accurate barometers for gauging a teams progress. Only the league truly is. Afterall, Birmingham City won the league cup last year, and they are currently in the division below us. Had we enjoyed some semblance of progress in the league this season on top of our cup runs then I'd be absolutely fuming over Kenny's departure now. But head over heart, I'd have to say we regressed this season, and alarmingly so. Hence, in my honest opinion, having given due consideration to all factors and variables, I think this decision might be in the clubs best interest in the long term. That of course, is just my opinion.

Kenny Dalglish will always remain my footballing idol though. That, will never ever change.

Well put. I feel like you wrote most of that by tapping into my mind. Shame it'll get over looked while everyone scrambles to tear strips off each other, to let off some steam.

The Anfield Wrap on Monday was excellent and for me I took two things away from it. We needed to be rational and not sentimental. You've gotta be a large example of a muppet to be a Liverpool fan and wish ill upon Kenny Dalglish, but there comes a time when objectivity needs to be used. I'm confident that is what FSG have done, as apposed to any other reason.

It's sad to see a good man go, but it's never felt like its been truly right since the summer, and in brutal honesty has never shown signs that things would improve, if anything they've got worse. They'll be no one more than Kenny who wishes he could of turned it round next season. But if the improvement never came, we'd be 6 months worse off, more divided, in a bigger mess with no time or room to conduct things possibly.

It's a sad day. But I think it's short-term pain for longer term gain.

[Red Beret]

Depends what you mean by a 'decent amount'.  Haven't invested that much and now been here through three transfer windows.  Something like £30m isn't it after the money in from sales?

Anyway, their silence on the stadium is also deafening.  No fuckin idea what they'll do next.  Unfortunately I don't think they do either.

I'd say £100m (net £44m) is a pretty decent investment.  We were all overjoyed at the deadwood shifted out of the club last summer and the trimming of the wage bill.  I personally wouldn't blame FSG for feeling they were virtually right back where they started.

I don't want to speculate on the stadium but if they're looking to secure big money sponsors than an 8th place finish and 17 points off fourth place isn't going to help the cause.  Who can tell how far reaching the ramifications of this season might be?  For all we know our league performance has torpedoed the owners attempts to secure the stadium investment we need.

[mikey_LFC]

I don't get FSG they say they want young players to build for the future blah blah blah....

And then they bring in Kenny and give him ONE full season to get us back in the champions league. Surely if you want something like youth and building for the future and adding stability, you have to accept that achievements will come slower at first because, believe it or not, young squads take time to blend and aren't at the peak. The most you can ask of a young team is to play good quality football and if you don't get results or they aren't the finished article that's will come through time.

If they are going to ask for youth and building for the future and sack managers, let alone legends, who don't get champions league, they honestly don't have a clue about sport let alone football.

Honestly, I would rather we took our time to stabilize and do things the right way bringing in young players and youth academy graduates, which although it might lead to slower progress will lead to sustained success when we get as far as champions league and challenging for the title. And in the mean time during the building phase if we get is Europa League and cup finals, that is fantastic and will lead to the players gaining a winning mentality and will make them better players in the future.

[jaygraham]

I'm absolutely heartbroken. I love Kenny Dalglish as if he was my own Dad.

You'll Never Walk Alone, Kenny.

[TSC]

I'd say £100m (net £44m) is a pretty decent investment. 

£44m over 3 transfer windows is pretty decent?  That's not even £15m each window.

[Fanxxxxtastic]

That is a top post young man!