As a football player, Kenny Dalglish can be proud of his achievements with Liverpool, winning four League Cups, six League titles, the FA Cup and three European Cups. In his first spell as a manager he has been equally successful in leading his team to two FA Cups and three League titles. He has treasured each of these moments when reflecting on the good old days at Anfield.
As his second spell as a manager gathers pace and the chanting of his name gets louder on the Kop, even the normally taciturn Scot must admit to a surge of excitement and some humility. It is as if he has never left. It would be better for me if the punters chanted the names of the players rather than mine, says Dalglish, as they are the ones doing the work on the field.
After his promotion from caretaker to manager, confirmed by American owners, Fenway Sports Group, Dalglish said that if he could help he would and he has returned. He felt it is an honour to have been asked and to be here.
Birmingham manager, Alex McLeish, has said that there is no other conclusion to make. Kenny has returned and has made everyone happy. He has them all laughing again, he just has that way about him. Players respect him and his decisions and they pay attention to his orders shouted from the touchline. McLeish cannot see Dalglish not getting the job.
Under the leadership of Roy Hodgson, Liverpool held 12th position in January and chances of a challenge for a European place were slim. Now after 27 points and 14 matches they are in 6th spot and are in a very good position to take full advantage of any blunder by an unsteady Tottenham Hotspur.