Dalgish would have kept Houllier

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish revealed today that he would not have axed manager Gerard Houllier.

The Frenchman lost his job this week after failing to win the championship despite leading them to the Champions League and winning trophies at home and in Europe during his tenure.

But Dalglish, who won almost everything there is to win in the game as a player and manager at Anfield, believes the club should not have parted company with Houllier.

He said: “I thought he would have been there next season but unfortunately it was not my decision and now they have got a decision to make.”

Dalglish believes that Houllier’s successor will be lucky to get his hands on a “great” rather than “difficult” job.

Valencia coach Rafael Benitez heads a glittering array of names being linked to the post including Martin O’Neill.

“It’s quite a crucial time for them to make sure they make the right decision,” Dalglish added.

“That’s not just for who’s coming in but also for the situation with the Thai people as well. It’s not a difficult job, the manager’s job, – it’s a great job and whoever comes in is going to be lucky.”

Current Celtic boss O’Neill is the second favourite for the job but Dalglish refused to join the speculation.

The Scotland legend added: “You might as well throw Martin’s name in because everybody else is. Martin is more eloquent than me and I’m sure he can speak for himself.”

Dalglish, himself, has been given odds on what would be a sensational return to management but he admitted that no-one at Anfield had approached him about any position.

“They must have run out of names to get to me,” he smiled.

“I have never had a conversation with them as regards any position at Liverpool.”