Kenny Dalglish leaves Liverpool after showdown talks with owners

 

The Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has left Anfield after talks with the club’s American owners.

Dalglish arrived back in England on Tuesday morning after holding talks in Boston with representatives of Fenway Sports Group, including Liverpool’s principal owner, John W Henry, and the chairman, Tom Werner.

At the meeting, instigated by Dalglish in response to the uncertainty that has surrounded his position since defeat in the FA Cup final on 5 May, he delivered his end-of-season review and outlined his strategy for next season.

FSG, however, were dissatisfied with Liverpool’s poor eighth‑place finish in the Premier League, their lowest league finish for 18 years.

Major disappointment

Henry had stated at the start of the season that it would be “a major disappointment” should Liverpool fail to finish in the top four after a £120m investment in new players. Dalglish’s team did not mount a challenge for the Champions League places, although they did win the Carling Cup, Liverpool’s first trophy for six years, and reach the FA Cup final.

Dalglish was handed a three-year contract when he replaced Roy Hodgson on a permanent basis 12 months ago. His departure puts pressure on FSG to appoint a proven successor to an Anfield legend who retains widespread support among the club’s fanbase.

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