Many fans want Hiddink

The following story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club:

KENNY Dalglish emerged as a possible Kingmaker at Anfield yesterday - as support gathered for the Scot himself to become the King!

Liverpool confirmed King Kenny would join managing director Christian Purslow in identifying and assessing possible new managers.

But many fans and ex-players believe Dalglish himself is the man for the job - at least in the short term.

He is just 7/4 to be interim manager and was backed into 7/2 to return to the Anfield hot seat permanently after a gap of 20 years.

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson believes former teammate Dalglish would be the perfect man to take over in the interim.

Manager from 1985-91, he led the Reds to the double in his first season.

"I would have thought Kenny would be heavily involved and quite rightly so - maybe not just in choosing the manager but holding the fort in the meantime."

An ECHO website poll on the identity of the next manager attracted almost 5,000 votes, with Gus Hiddink a clear victor, securing 35 per cent support.

Dalglish was next with almost 13 per cent, Martin O'Neill third with six per cent and Roy Hodgson on almost three per cent.

Many fans remained loyal to Benitez, with 34 per cent saying he should have stayed at Anfield.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.