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28 March 2024

Ex-Chelsea boss AVB lined up for Liverpool job

Andres Villas-Boas had a traumatic nine-month spell that lasted for just 27 league matches at Stamford Bridge. (FILE)

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By Staff

Former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas could make a spectacular return to the Premier League at the expense of bealeaguered Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish.

Dalglish's Anfield future hangs in the balance with a definitive decision expected with the next 24-48 hours, according to a report in the Mirror.

Speculation about his imminent exit has been fuelled after the ominous silence maintained by Liverpool's American ownersJohn Henry and Tom Werner after Dalglish delivered his end of season review during a summit meeting in Boston.

Dalglish flew from Heathrow with his assistant Steve Clarke to explain that the job he undertook - after inheriting a side 18 months ago that was dropping towards the relegation zone - was too big to turn around in a single season.

In his presentation, the manager argued there are clear signs of progress from a young, newly constructed side, despite the obvious disappointment of a dismal league performance in which they finished eighth.

Dalglish left the meeting to head straight back to the airport, while Clarke accompanied Henry and Werner to Fenway Park to watch a Boston Red Sox baseball match.

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Dalglish has already set plans underway for next season, as he identifies summer transfer targets and in some cases has already opened talks.

However, the delay in the Fenway owners to public back him suggests the Kop legends has failed to impress his bosses despite winning the Carling Cup and barely missing out on bringing home the FA Cup.

Villas-Boas who was considered by the Americans for the Anfield job before Dalglish was appointed is one of the favourites though Wigan's Roberto Martinez is heading the list to become the next Liverpool manageer, the Mirror reported.

There are also suggestions the owners could look to Germany, with the highly-rated Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp hugely admired, and less obvious candidates in Freiburg's Christian Streich and Lucien Favre, who has performed wonders with Borussia Monchengladbach this season, also in the picture, it added.

Kuyt puts Liverpool in Kenny crisis

Out of favour Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt has put Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish in a spot.

Kuyt claims he is being forced out by Dalglish, The Sun reported in an exclusive.

He said: "Under this manager I don’t have the feeling any more that he will put me in the side every week.

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“I’m under no illusion about playing every week. But I believe I am still good enough to play for Liverpool every week.

“My physical stats are better than ever before.”

The Dutch star slammed the rotation policy followed by Dalglish for his loss in form.

Last season I was scoring goals all over the place. But this season the manager bought three players who all played in my position," he said referring to Luiz Suarez, Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing.

“In the rotation system he used, I never found my rhythm again and never felt my old self," he added after being kept on the bench for most of the season.

He made a plea to the Liverpool management to give him one final chance to bid farewell in style to the club he loved.

“Deep in my heart I’d love to stay at Liverpool so I could have full revenge on everyone in my final season at the club,” said Kuyt who is being chased by Roma and Hamburg.

He revealed: “Clubs from real big leagues are knocking on the door. I’ve turned down an offer from my old club Feyenoord for financial reasons. I’d have to take an 80 percent wage cut.”

Kenny's 'no sell' plan to hurt Liverpool

Liverpool fans do not yet know the fate of Kenny Dalglish.

The King’s crown may yet be taken away given the kind of clearance the club is going through.

However, Kenny himself seems confident that he will be there next season and so will many of “his” players.

The manager says he is only looking to strengthen over the summer and has no plans to sell any of the current squad.

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Which is not the best of news for Anfield die-hards given that the squad has largely under-performed and despite a Carling Cup, fell away in dismal fashion towards the end of the season.

Fabio Aurelio, Joe Cole and Alberto Aquilani, lead a list of players whose fate hands in the balance.

Bring in to that mix Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez and you wonder which players Kenny is looking to keep and why.

“We are not looking to move anyone out. The only one who will be moving out will be Fabio as his contract is up,” said Dalglish.

“All we want to do is to add to the start we have had (with the squad he has assembled) and see what happens to us.

“The transfer market brings up surprises but what they will be I can't help you, I'm not clairvoyant. But we are not actively looking to move anyone out.”

Hamburg have tracking Kuyt, while Rodriguez wrote on Twitter: “Last home game and had a goodbye to the fans. Thank you very much to the people of Liverpool for much love”.

Which brings Kenny’s new bunch into question: Charlie Adams, Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll.

“Most of our plans are in place. We need to get the work done and get on with it,” he added.

The club is certainly getting on with things after director of football Damien Comolli left the club last month.

“It is an ongoing process and not much has changed. Maybe because the transfer window opens there will be some business done - but that is the same for everyone,” he said.

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