Kenny Dalglish given three-year contract as Liverpool manager with Steve Clarke as his assistant

FA Cup – Manchester United vs Liverpool, Kenny Dalglish(Getty Images)

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Kenny Dalglish has been awarded a three-year deal to take over permanently as Liverpool manager, with Steve Clarke continuing in his role as assistant on a similar contract.

The Scot returned to management as the Reds caretaker boss in January following the sacking of Roy Hodgson and has led the Merseysiders from the bottom half of the table up to fifth spot in the Premier League.

Liverpool are now within a win of securing  European football for next season – facing a Europa League shoot-out with Tottenham on Sunday – in what has been a phenomenal improvement in performances since the Anfield legend’s return.

Speaking about his full-time appointment, Dalglish outlined his plans to make Liverpool ‘special again’ and paid tribute to the owners of the club, Clarke and the players for all their efforts since January.

He said: “I said when I took the job on in January that I was just happy to help the Club out for the remainder of the season.

“Now the owners have decided in their wisdom that they want me to stay a little longer and it’s fantastic news for both myself and Steve Clarke that we have signed these contracts.”

“Both John John W. Henry and Tom Warner have taken their time to assess what was best for the football club and bring in the people they wanted to take the Club forward. They are both winners, but understand what the supporters want from a Liverpool side and the way that we should go about things.

“This is a unique football Club and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help build something special here again”

“I want to salute the efforts of all the players as they have been fantastic and thank everyone at the Club for the welcome they have given me since I returned in January,” Dalglish added.

Dalglish went on the laud the impact Clarke has made since his arrival, with the former Chelsea and West Ham assistant having helped the club achieve eight clean sheets since joining the club.

“I also want to pay tribute to Steve Clarke’s input since we started working together as he has brought great experience and knowledge to the role,” he continued. “The players enjoy the training sessions, understand their relevance to our actual football games and have responded brilliantly.”

Owner John W. Henry praised the effect the former Reds player has had on the team since his arrival and admitted no other manager could have achieved what Dalgish has done since taking over the managerial reins in four months ago.

The American also stated the importance of signing Steve Clarke to his deal as his coaching skills have tightened the Merseysiders defence helping them keep eight clean sheets in the 21 games he’s been at the club.

“Kenny is a legendary Liverpool figure both as a supremely gifted footballer and successful manager,” said Henry. “Since returning in January he has shown extraordinary leadership and the ability to bring the best out of so many people associated with the Club.”

“It was obvious to us very early on that the atmosphere surrounding the Club had been transformed by his presence. No one else could have produced such a response. Therefore, I’m delighted we have agreed to a new contract. We didn’t need nor want to look elsewhere for the right man to manage the team.”

“Working closely with him, we’ve seen first-hand his love for the Club and his determination to do whatever is necessary to produce a winning side again,” Henry continued.

“He has a unique relationship with our supporters and embodies everything that is special about the Liverpool way of doing things.”

“Liverpool enjoys a global standing within the sport, but having Kenny in the dug-out will help us in our efforts to bring the best available talent to the Club as we continue to move the club forward.”

“I’m also pleased we have reached an agreement with Steve Clarke, as his contribution to Kenny’s backroom team has been significant over the past four months.”