Dalglish throws hat into the ring

[Nosferatu]

Dalglish throws hat into the ring

By Daniel McDonnell
Wednesday December 05 2007

Kenny Dalglish is interested in a return to football as the manager of Ireland.

The Scot, who almost became Irish boss after the departure of Jack Charlton, has told friends that he fancies the challenge of replacing Steve Staunton.

Liverpool legend Dalglish was mooted as a potential replacement consultant to Staunton when Bobby Robson's health problems appeared grave early in the Louthman's reign.

While nothing came of that, Dalglish has kept an eye on the Irish the set-up and is understood to have indicated that he would like the FAI to know of his curiosity about the post.

Officially, the FAI are now refusing to comment on candidates as they insist that the process has been completely handed over to kingmakers Don Howe and Don Givens.

Terry Venables remains the clear favourite to replace Staunton but it's believed that Howe and Givens have arranged, or will arrange, meetings with a number of other candidates and Dalglish may now appear on their radar.

The 56-year-old has been out of football for seven years since his disastrous stint as Director of Football at Celtic alongside manager John Barnes.

A former sparring partner of Dalglish publicly threw his hat into the ring yesterday with ex-Everton boss Howard Kendall declaring his intentions and stating that he would bring in Peter Beardsley as an assistant.

"I've had long enough out of the game now and I feel it would be perfect for me and hopefully for them," said the 61-year-old who has been out of management for eight years.

FAI Chief Executive John Delaney faces a grilling over his part in the prolonged debacle at today's official opening of the association's new headquarters at Abbotstown.

[Nerik]

61yrs old. Wow. Keep on thinking of Kenny as in his late 30s/early 40s and ready to come on and play in a game if needed.

[Robser]

No thank you to both him and definitely Kendall!

[kopdude]

Shouldn't this be in general footy?

[Robser]

I would of thought so!

[George Costanza]

61yrs old. Wow. Keep on thinking of Kenny as in his late 30s/early 40s and ready to come on and play in a game if needed.

I thought the same.

Looked up his DOB on Wiki, and it's:

March 4, 1951 (age 56)

[Nerik]

Makes sense. He was playing in 1987 and was definitely not in his 40s then. Welcome on board by the wya.

[Nosferatu]

Liverpool legend so always welcome in this board.