Liverpool sack manager Kenny Dalglish after showdown talks in Boston

The Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has been sacked after talks with the club's American owners in Boston.

Dalglish arrived back in England on Tuesday morning after meeting 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, matching their lowest league finish since they were promoted back to the old First Division in 1962.

A statement from the club said: "Kenny Dalglish is to leave his post today as manager after having his contract terminated. After a careful and deliberative review of the season, the club came to the decision that a change was appropriate. It is not a decision that was reached lightly or hastily. The search for a new manager will begin immediately."

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."

The Liverpool chairman Tom Werner said: "Kenny came into the club as manager at our request at a time when Liverpool Football Club 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 and to get us once again looking forward. 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."

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, who was handed a three-year contract 12 months ago having replaced Roy Hodgson on a caretaker basis in January, told the club's website: "It has been an honour and a privilege to have had the chance to come back to Liverpool Football Club as manager.

"I 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. 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.

"While 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.

"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."
(from Guardian)