Kenny and His Elusive Contract

One of them got back to me and again confirmed the information to be true, but added that, he felt, John Henry will not say anything because it may affect the way the players are playing at the moment. He seems to feel that if they were told Kenny was their permanent manager, they would drop their guard and the effort they have put in over the last few weeks would drop.

Yesterday evening, David Maddock, who I have got to know well because of the help he gave me during the takeover - we swapped information and I ensured that the Mirror got the scoops they wanted, published his own version of the story.  I have pasted the link below, but he basically has said that Kenny will be given a 2 year contract with a clause that will enable it to be extended should Liverpool win the premiership within that time. This ties in with what John Henry has already said about us being top of the premiership at the end of season 2012/2013. This will apparently happen in the next 2 weeks IF and ONLY IF, we win our next three games.  John and Tom are apparently using these as a sign that Kenny is indeed moving the club forward.  David also said that Steve Clarke will be offered a contract for two and half years, not that he has one.

He also hinted that there would be massive clear out, which could see players such as Joe Cole, Aurelio and Lucas moved on.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-Caretaker-boss-Kenny-Dalglish-is-a-fortnight-away-from-being-installed-as-the-permanent-manager-provided-next-three-games-go-well-article713833.html

Now for the life of me, and I can only think that perhaps their understanding of the English game is still not as good as it should be, but why on earth are Tom and John hesitating on this matter? The changes since Kenny has been brought in have been immense.  The supporters are back together as a unit, the team is finally beginning to come together as one and our results are gradually improving. I know that there are many of us out there, who hoped and indeed expected us to win every game from the moment Kenny walked in the door, but it was never go to happen and there will continue to be hiccups as we head towards the end of the season.  How John Henry can say, it will depend on the results of the next three games, I will never know, because even the best manager in the world, whoever he may be, will have losses to his name.

I know that there are many of us out there, who hoped and indeed expected us to win every game from the moment Kenny walked in the door, but it was never go to happen and there will continue to be hiccups as we head towards the end of the season.  How John Henry can say, it will depend on the results of the next three games, I will never know, because even the best manager in the world, whoever he may be, will have losses to his name.

 John and Tom as we all know, are fully aware of the state the club was in prior to the takeover and after the inept appointment of Roy Hodgson. At the end of last season we were left with players, that were simply unsuitable for the club and these were added to by Roy, who due to lack of funds, brought in absolute rubbish.  There was also dissent in the dressing room that had to be dealt with but it was unfortunately left to fester throughout the beginning of this season.  This of course all added to the horrific season that we were having during the takeover and for several weeks beyond it.

The supporters of the club, who in their own right had taken on the burden of trying to sort out the takeover mess watched in horror as their beloved club was literally being dragged downwards and eventually tried to sort out the managerial situation themselves by calling for Kenny during games - I am not ashamed to say that I was one of them.

On the 8th January 2011 at precisely 11.00 a.m. it was announced that Kenny would be the clubs caretaker manager. Kenny as I have already said has made such a massive impact on the club, that things are definitely moving in the right direction.  He has by bringing in Steve Clarke already changed the training methods thank goodness.  I don't know how you all feel, but it is also lovely to see the lads training properly again.  The dissent in the dressing room has also disappeared the team is a single unit once more.

I could not understand that at the time but accepted that as he had not been in management for a while it was the right course of action to take.  What I cannot understand now is why the offer, if true is for two years only to begin with.  It is going to take a lot longer than that to continue pushing Liverpool in the right direction and four years - which apparently Kenny prefers would be a much better deal. It would give him the time to rebuild the team, flush out the players who are not good enough and providing the funds are available, ensure that players suitable for Liverpool are brought in and I don't necessarily mean, world class players.

It would also give him the time to give us the prize that we crave the most - The Premiership and I am sure he would certainly do his best to bring us what other trophies there are for the taking as well.

Kenny is a manager who follows the philosophy of Shankly and must be given the time to do this and if it requires John and Tom to be a little more patient than they are at the moment about progression and winning trophies, then so be it.  To remove Kenny from his post of manager too quickly would be a massive mistake and all the good work would then be undone.  I also feel it would again alienate the clubs supporter's and without those, Liverpool Football club, will suffer untold damage.

So please John and Tom,  I believe I am speaking on behalf of every Liverpool Supporter out there when I say, please put us all out of our misery and let us know that we have the King by our side for many years to come.

My thanks to David Maddock of The Mirror for allowing me to use parts of his article.