Reports: Dalglish could be appointed LFC caretaker

Reports this evening suggest Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (formerly NESV) have lost patience with manager Roy Hodgson and could appoint Kenny Dalglish on an interim basis until the end of the season.

Hodgson has lost the backing of the Liverpool supporters, with the club’s lowest home league attendance since 2004 witnessing the narrow victory over Bolton – after which Hodgson claimed the side were “back with a bang” after defeat to Wolves.

The Independent newspaper reports “(John) Henry’s concerns about his relationship with the fans have contributed to the feeling that imminent change is due.”

And continues “There had been hopes of a permanent replacement in mid-season, though that reduces the possible candidates – the former Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard is one of the few likely candidates not already contracted – which is why the idea of a stopgap has come into the equation.”

The Telegraph write “Liverpool’s owners are so determined to end Roy Hodgson’s reign as manager that they are now prepared to delay the search for his long-term successor until the summer and install a caretaker until June, raising the prospect of an emotional return to the club for Kenny Dalglish.”

Adding “John W Henry and Tom Werner, had hoped to make the first managerial appointment of their reign a permanent one. They are believed to have examined the credentials of a number of candidates, including the Porto manager Andre Villas Boas and Marseille’s Didier Deschamps.”

“The difficulty and cost associated with enticing the right long-term appointment midway through the season, however, has now forced FSG to rethink their strategy, with the group now thought to favour introducing an interim manager before installing their preferred candidate in June.”

Meanwhile, other well placed sources have suggested that Bolton boss Owen Coyle is also in the running for the position but he is not willing to move during the season, as he did last season from Burnley.

A poll on This Is Anfield this week claimed 96% of LFC supporters wanted Hodgson sacked – and that was before the defeat to Wolves.