Liverpool managing director Steve Ayre has rubbished claims Kenny Dalglish’s re-appointment was a mistake after his sacking from the club this week.
Dalglish was given the chop by the Reds after a disappointing 2011-12 campaign, where they finished down in eighth, but lifted the Carling Cup.
The Liverpool legend had been hastily appointed after Roy Hodgson’s ill-fated time in charge but Ayre insisted it wasn’t a mistake despite his dismissal less than 18 months on.
“It absolutely wasn’t a mistake and couldn’t be further from it, to be honest,” Ayre told reporters. “If you look back across that period, let’s be clear - we asked Kenny to come back, he didn’t ask for the job. We very much went and asked him to take the position, to come back and to help and he did all of those things.
“He always said “if I can be of any help, I will”. He really was the catalyst to everything we have now to go forward. He was the person who galvanised everyone around such a difficult time, he brought people together, he brought the club, the fans and the players together.
“There were issues all over the place and in bringing all of those together he cemented us all with this unity to work together. That’s such a legacy for him to leave here today.
“I don’t believe there’s anybody else who could have done that and Liverpool fans and Liverpool Football Club will always be grateful to Kenny for that, but like any plan there are different people at different times along that journey.
“Kenny has done a fantastic thing in his part of it and we move to the next chapter. He’ll always be a part of it and he’ll always be a part of the club.”
Liverpool have been linked with Wigan boss Roberto Martinez to be Dalglish’s replacement, while Alan Pardew and Brendan Rodgers are also reportedly in the mix.