KOP News # 1223

Kenny: Support my successor

17th May 2012 - Latest News

Kenny Dalglish hopes Liverpool supporters will get behind whoever replaces him as manager.

The legendary Scotsman believes his successor will inherit a good squad of players - and with the help of the fans, he thinks glory can come our way in 2012-13.

"Hopefully they will support that person as well as they have supported myself, which has been fantastic," Dalglish told the Echo. "The support the fans gave us was a huge influence in winning the Carling Cup.

"To be perfectly honest, in most of the games this season the players have covered themselves with great credit. They have been a credit to themselves and to the football club.

"The fans will always, always stick with Liverpool Football Club and support the players and the team and the person that is to be the next manager of the club. That's the way these fans have been brought up and that's the way it should continue.

"For me it's obviously going to be different, not being involved in the way I have been as before. But that doesn't mean I don't want Liverpool to go on now and be really successful. And that's the same for anyone who now comes in to the club.

"What Liverpool FC deserves and the supporters deserve is far more important than me."

Dalglish believes young players like Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson will flourish after their first full seasons at Anfield.

He added: "You cannot over-estimate the pressure that is on a boy who comes to play for Liverpool.

"But in the first year, what they have done has been a credit.

"There is now a great foundation to build on and to move forward with. The supporters, not just for myself but for everyone else, have always been fantastically supportive of the team - and that should not change.

"No one should underestimate the role the Liverpool fans play - or the appreciation the players have for the supporters.

"Taking aside the decision made about myself, for four players to be in Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2012, and for Jordan Henderson to be on standby as well, is a great credit to the players.

"It's fantastic for the club and those players - and I hope they go on and represent everybody well."

Dalglish also had words of praise for the club's owners.

He said: "I would hope nobody would prejudge things now. The owners have their own reasons for doing what they have done.

"They came in to help the club at a time when it wasn't in a great condition. They have improved it, taken it forward and are doing the best they can."