LONDON: New Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said he felt humbled but excited by the challenge of taking charge of the team for a second time while urging fans not to expect an instant turnaround in results.
Dalglish was appointed until the end of the season after the club dismissed Roy Hodgson on Saturday.
“Obviously it’s a great honour for me to be back in charge of a football club which means so much to so many people,” Dalglish told the club’s website (www.liverpoolfc.tv) shortly after flying in from Dubai where he had been on holiday.
“I’m fortunate to come back. Even if it’s only to the end of the season it makes no difference to me, this place is very special.
“The excitement has to calm down a wee bit, we have to make sure we turn the excitement into some positivity for everybody and make sure we win games.
“I’m going to do the best I possibly can to try and help the club but everybody has to pull in the same direction. There’s no point not being a unified unit. If we pull in different directions we won’t get anywhere.”
Dalglish, who won eight league titles as a player and manager at Anfield before leaving the club in 1991, said he had great sympathy for former Fulham manager Hodgson, who arrived in July but lasted just 20 league matches.
“Roy is a very honourable guy with loads of integrity and I feel really sad for him,” he said. “He came in at the start of the season when Rafa (Benitez) left, he tried his best but it just didn’t happen for him.”
Liverpool are 12th in the Premier League after winning just seven of their 20 games but Dalglish has asked the fans, who played a major part in the ousting of Hodgson, to show patience.
“Let’s not go crazy here and think the season changes and we’re going to sweep everything aside now and go undefeated from now to the end of the season,” he said.
“We’re perfectly capable of doing it but let’s be realistic. It’s not going to turn overnight.
“I know there are lots of times when a new guy comes in and gives everyone a lift. Well if the players get a bit of a lift then it has to last for more than one game.
“We as a squad of players and as a management have to give the fans something to cheer about as well. I’m sure our people will respond if we go out there and they see that our lads are proud to play and that they’ll do their best for Liverpool.”
Dalglish’s first game in charge could hardly be tougher as he faces Manchester United away in the third round of the FA Cup but he said he was relishing the occasion.
“Old Trafford is fantastic stage to go and play your football, it’s an FA Cup tie and the FA Cup has been devalued of late with people fielding weakened teams,” said the Scot, who won the trophy as a player and manager with Liverpool.
“United lost to Leeds last year after putting out a weakened side and I can’t see him (Alex Ferguson) doing that tomorrow. All we’ve got to do is concern ourselves with us.
Dalglish, who will be in the dugout at Old Trafford, praised the achievements of long-time rival Ferguson.
“You have to respect what Alex has done in the game and you don’t do it through gritted teeth,” he said. “His track record is fantastic, we respect him as a person and a football manager.”
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