MAY 24
Houllier given chance of dignified departure

By Stuart James and Dominic Fifield - The Guardian

Gérard Houllier's tenure as manager of Liverpool is expected to come to an end within 24 hours.

It is understood that he talked with David Moores at the chairman's home in the Lake District over the weekend, though a formal announcement will be delayed until the chief executive Rick Parry returns from Spain in the next couple of days.

Moores will be anxious to keep Houllier's departure as amicable as possible and the Frenchman, who arrived at Liverpool in 1998, may well be offered the opportunity to resign "with dignity" - a word he has emphasised in the past week. They will also need to reach an agreement on the remaining 12 months of his £1.5m contract.

The former France manager's exit will signal the end of a six-year reign at Anfield, during which Liverpool have failed to usurp Manchester United, Arsenal and more recently Chelsea at the head of the Premiership. Despite the success of 2001 when Liverpool secured the Uefa Cup, League Cup and FA Cup under Houllier's tutelage, supporters have become increasingly frustrated at the club's inconsistent performances.

The search for Houllier's successor gathered momentum last week, with the Valencia coach Rafael Benitez and Charlton manager Alan Curbishley among the leading candidates for a position which could well necessitate working with Kenny Dalglish, who is expected to return to Anfield either as technical director or as a go-between from the board to the supporters. There is interest too in Gordon Strachan, though it is thought that Curbishley is at the top of the Liverpool shortlist.

The Charlton manager, who was in Spain this weekend with his chief executive Peter Varney to help launch a European football school, has a clause in the 3-year contract he signed in February that allows to him to talk to specific clubs, among them Liverpool. The appointment of Curbishley, who has impressed the Anfield board with his achievements at The Valley, would be well received by the Liverpool players too, particularly Steven Gerrard, who is a known admirer.

Meanwhile Benitez, who is believed to be favoured by Michael Owen, was yesterday celebrating the culmination of a highly successful season at Valencia, with Uefa Cup success and a second Spanish title in the past three seasons.

Any attempts to lure the Spaniard to Anfield are likely to be resisted by Valencia, who are understood to be in the process of offering him a two-year extension to his current contract which expires at the end of next season.

Porto's Jose Mourinho, who has intimated he might prefer the managership of Liverpool to that of Chelsea, has not been discounted, but the likelihood remains that Roman Abramovich will lure the young coach to Stamford Bridge.

MAY 23
Benitez cool on Liverpool

By Oliver Brett - BBC Sport Online

The agent of Valencia coach Rafael Benitez has insisted the Spaniard has not been approached by Liverpool.

The Sunday Times reported Benitez, who guided Valencia to the league title and the Uefa Cup this season, had been shortlisted to replace Gerard Houllier.

Charlton's Alan Curbishley, Porto's Jose Mourinho and Gordon Strachan were the other names on the shortlist.

Benitez's agent Manuel Garcia Quilon told BBC Sport: "Nobody from Liverpool has been in contact with him."

On Saturday Houllier said he was convinced he would be in charge at Anfield next season despite continued speculation he is set to lose his job.

The Reds' refusal to publicly comment on the rumours has led to suggestions that a managerial change is imminent.

But the Frenchman insisted: "I am 100% sure I will be here next season.

Last week Quilon was reported to have said Benitez had received an offer from an English club.

"I cannot comment further from what I said the other day. We do not have any agreement in place at present with Liverpool football club," said Quilon.

Since taking over from Hector Cuper in June 2001, Benitez has guided Valencia to two Primera Liga titles.

He joined Valencia from Tenerife after a short spell with Extremadura.

Previously, he had undistinguished tenures at Valladolid and Osasuna, while he also spent two years at the helm of Real Madrid's high profile B team.

MAY 22
Houllier to leave Anfield in 'amicable' agreement

By Denis Campbell - The Observer

Gérard Houllier's increasingly fraught six years in charge of Liverpool will end today when he meets chairman David Moores for talks.

The manager's departure will be confirmed in an official announcement tomorrow, which will describe the split as amicable.

On the list of likely replacements being compiled by chief executive Rick Parry are Charlton boss Alan Curbishley, former Southampton manager Gordon Strachan, Middlesbrough's Steve McClaren and Rafael Benitez, whose Valencia side have just won a double of La Liga and the Uefa Cup,.

Moores has finally accepted that the growing clamour for Houllier to go has to mean the departure of the once-favoured son. He won the respect of everyone involved in the game, undergoing heart surgery in 2001, after leading Liverpool to a treble of the Uefa Cup, FA Cup and League Cup.

Houllier is understood to want to stay in club management and either Tottenham or Celtic, if Martin O'Neill leaves, could be interested in his services. The Parkhead club tried to hire him before he went to Liverpool, the club he supported, in 1998. O'Neill has been linked with the Anfield job and is thought recently to have rebuffed overtures from Spurs.

Developments in the next 48 hours will finally end one of the most protracted departures of recent times. Just yesterday, the Frenchman was claiming he was 'one hundred per cent sure I will be here next season' and describing suggestions that he was about to leave as 'a load of rubbish'.

In his defence, Houllier drew attention to his record in steering Liverpool to qualification for the Champions League in three of his six seasons in charge, half of the first in 1998-99 in an unproductive partnership with Roy Evans.

But his side's failure to challenge Arsenal and Manchester United's stranglehold on the Premiership, the poor performance of many of the players he bought and increasing discontent among the fans have brought about his downfall.

Steve Morgan, the property magnate and Liverpool shareholder who has seen three attempts to invest further in the club turned down, is an outspoken critic.

Houllier is admired by senior figures at the Football Association for his technical knowledge of the game, and was discussed as a possible replacement for Sven-Göran Eriksson recently, when it looked like the Swede would be joining Chelsea.

The Frenchman, as technical director of the French Football Federation in the 1990s, helped lay the groundwork for his country's rise to becoming world and European champions in 1998 and 2000 respectively, although his stint as national-team boss ended in failure when les Bleus did not qualify for the 1994 World Cup.

The FA has lacked a technical overlord since Howard Wilkinson's departure, but it is thought he has lost some kudos with the FA top brass.

He is likely to wait and see what openings the summer break may produce in club management, in which he first made his name in the 1970s and 1980s.

MAY 21
Just listen, will you, Gerard!

By David Prentice - Liverpool Echo

Even during the death throes of his Anfield career, Gerard Houllier is still falling victim to the ailment which has cursed his entire reign - an unwillingness to listen to anybody else's point of view.

Managers must be single-minded. They must have a clarity of vision and purpose. And they must have absolute confidence in their own ideas.

But it also helps to accept a little responsibility and occasional blame.

During Houllier's reign it would appear he has not made a single mistake. Liverpool's failings are solely down to injuries, refereeing decisions - and on two spectacular occasions, the wind.

Even now he appears unwilling to accept the inevitable.

It appears Liverpool's board want him to step down gracefully and with dignity.

But Houllier insists it is "business as usual" and is intent on carrying on.

Houllier has undoubtedly been a force for good at Anfield and has helped develop the club positively. But he has taken them as far as he can - and it would be sad if his good work is over-looked by a refusal to see the bigger picture.

MAY 21
Flood of offers swamps Anfield

By Chris Bascombe - Liverpool Echo

Liverpool have been bombarded with applications for the manager's post, even though a decision on Gerard Houllier's future won't be revealed until next week.

And emerging as an early front-runner to take over should Houllier depart is Valencia's Rafael Benitez.

No decision on Houllier is likely this weekend.

David Moores is currently on a break in Scotland.

It will be next week before a statement is made by the club either retaining his services or bringing Houllier's six-year reign to an end.

As speculation grows, representatives of several managers interested in the post have been trying to contact Liverpool officials.

The Reds are refusing to enter any such discussions. They have too much respect for the boss to openly court the attention of other managers while Houllier is still in charge.

But it has been an eyeopening few days for board members as potential successors manoeuvre into position.

Interested parties were pushing candidates' names forward in number even before it emerged Houllier's position was under review.

Benitez is believed to be desperate to meet Liverpool and discuss a possible move to Anfield.

Having led Valencia to a championship and UEFA Cup double this season, he's eyeing the chance to test himself in the Premiership.

Benitez began his coaching career with Real Madrid where he trained the 'B' side. He moved to Tenerife before success-fully moving to Valencia.

Whether Liverpool would recruit a European coach with a proven track record or go for someone with Premiership experience is another matter.

Charlton's Alan Curbishley is highly-rated, for example, but it would represent a risk to recruit someone who is unproven at such a huge club as Liverpool.

Porto's Jose Mourinho is also being touted by his representatives, but he's still favourite to join Chelsea when Claudio Ranieri is sacked.

With European knowledge, a track record and Premiership experience, it could be Ranieri who fits the bill at Anfield best of all should the board find itself in a position where they're seeking a new boss.

MAY 21
Liverpool wait on Mourinho outcome

By Andy Hunter - Daily Post

Liverpool are prepared to delay a declaration on Gerard Houllier's Anfield future until Jose Mourinho resolves his proposed move to Chelsea.

Houllier was still at his Melwood desk yesterday despite indications the club's board have already decided to end his six-year tenure as manager.

Anfield officials are not expected to break their silence on the manager's position until next week.

But it is believed they have drawn up a possible short-list for his replacement and the Porto coach is among the leading candidates.

Mourinho recently expressed interest in a move to Liverpool but is expected to sign a four-year deal with Chelsea in the next few days having led the Portuguese champions to the European Cup Final against Monaco.

Liverpool cannot compete with the £4million a-year offered to Mourinho by Chelsea and are considering Alan Curbishley and Rafael Benitez as alternatives.

Negotiations between Chelsea and Mourinho, however, have hit several obstacles lately and Anfield officials will make a move if the deal collapses at the 11th hour.

Liverpool are in no rush to announce a managerial change as they await the availability of possible alternatives - Benitez collects the Spanish title with his Valencia team on Sunday - but their stance is increasing the considerable pressure under which Houllier is working.

Kenny Dalglish yesterday confirmed his willingness to help the club if an offer was made, with chairman David Moores in favour of recruiting the Anfield legend in a liaison role.

Dalglish said: "I have not spoken to anybody about any position at Liverpool Football Club. But if the club think I can help they just need to ask."

Liverpool have put transfer activity on hold until they have resolved the managerial situation at the club, although Djibril Cisse's £14m switch from Auxerre is a done deal and will not be affected by any change.

MAY 20
Hansen: New boys need to deliver

By Paul Eaton - LFC Official Website

lan Hansen says Liverpool's new summer arrivals will need to settle in quickly and produce the goods immediately to ensure the Reds enjoy a better campaign next year.

With Djibril Cisse set to arrive in the summer and other new faces expected to be recruited, Hansen is optimistic that Liverpool will at least make a stronger challenge for the championship.

But he insists the first six weeks of the new season are going to be crucial and that our new arrivals simply won't have the luxury of being given time to adapt to their new surroundings.

He said: "I don't know who the influx of new players will be but it is important that whoever is bought this summer settles early and settles well.

"People talk about the way forward and what needs to be done. At the end of the day that means revamping the team and getting players in. It's a big summer for everybody.

"The last thing anyone connected with Liverpool wants is another season in the doldrums. Everyone accepts and knows it has been a season of under-achievement.

"It's got to be put right and the only way of doing that is by putting better players on the pitch.

"Next year is crucial for Liverpool. The first six to 10 weeks of the season are absolutely crucial for Liverpool and where they go."

MAY 20
Gerrard demands changes

By Peter O'Rourke - Planet Football

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has warned the club that major changes are needed at Anfield if they are to challenge the top three again.

Gerrard was unhappy with his side's performances this season despite his own stellar showings.

The England international revealed he has been promised by the club that they will be doing everything they can to close the gap on the leading pack by making a number of top-class signings over the summer.

"The next two or three months are going to be very interesting," said Gerrard.

"Things are going to change and there'll be some money available to invest in the team.

"That's nice to know because we need three or four new faces to freshen things up on the playing side.

"It goes without saying that we all want to make next season a better one than this. In fact we won't have another season like this - I'm positive about that.

"There's no doubt that the squad needs strengthening if we are to get back up among the top three because they are operating on another level to us at the moment.

"If I come back and there are only one or two new faces here then I don't think that will be good enough for this club.

"I've been promised this won't be the case, though, so I'm optimistic for the future.

"I'm a fan myself and I'm frustrated just as much as them when we get beat. I listen to the phone-ins on the way home and I know how the fans feel.

"I share their frustration at times and I get down just like them when we suffer a bad result."

MAY 20
Liverpool may look to Dalglish in shake-up

By Tim Rich and Alan Nixon - The Independent

Gerard Houllier's position as Liverpool manager looked increasingly under threat last night as the club debated whether to bring Kenny Dalglish back to Anfield.

The Liverpool chairman, David Moores, is under intense pressure to appease supporters outraged by the club's dalliance with the Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, and a second successive failure to mount a credible title challenge.

The sight of Dalglish returning through the Shankly Gates in an official capacity for the first time since his resignation in February 1991 would win approval from a fan base wedded to the past. In a board meeting in the Lake District, Moores has floated the idea of appointing Dalglish as director of football.

It is unlikely that this is something Houllier could swallow. The Liverpool manager has long been distrustful of those who played a leading role in the club's domination of English and European football, arguing Anfield needs to move forward.

Houllier insisted last night that he is "carrying on as normal," despite the speculation

"I am carrying on my work as normal and have been holding meetings with staff preparing for next season," he said. "I have been discussing contracts and other matters, as well as when the players will report back.

"So I am carrying on my work as normal and with the same dignity as normal."

Although Dalglish's reputation on Merseyside is unquestioned, his record in the nebulous role of director of football is somewhat cloudier. Friends question whether Dalglish would be prepared to take such a high-profile role after five years out of the spotlight.

He was appointed to a similar position after steering Blackburn to the championship in 1995, but found it frustrating. He was not even consulted about the transfer of Alan Shearer to Newcastle. When the 1996-7 season began he was on holiday in Spain and the Blackburn chairman, Robert Coar, relieved him of the post and the £300,000 salary.

Dalglish enjoyed a similar role at Celtic, as mentor to the inexperienced John Barnes. Defeat in the Scottish FA Cup by Inverness Caledonian Thistle ended that relationship and if Dalglish were to succeed at Anfield, his would need to be a far more interventionist role.

Moores and his chief executive, Rick Parry, require all the support they can muster. Their deal to inject £60m into the club by offering Thaksin a seat on the board has been fiercely attacked and not just for the Thai government's questionable human-rights record. Thaksin is believed to want more seats on the board than Moores is comfortable with. The sale of marketing rights in Asia, which would be the price of the deal, has also come under fire and talks have stalled.

Thaksin's representatives were to have flown to Liverpool yesterday to finalise the deal, but that trip has been indefinitely postponed until lawyers from both sides sort out the differences.

The alternative is to accept a counter-bid from building magnate, Steve Morgan, who would demand Houllier's sacking as part of any agreement.

Moores has failed to swing the highly influential local media behind him. But the Liverpool Echo, which ran a poll showing 87 per cent of Liverpool fans backing Morgan's bid, yesterday reported that Houllier's job was "hanging by a thread".

The paper, which has close links to Steven Gerrard, did not dismiss Chelsea's reported interest in the midfielder. They claimed Gerrard, who would cost Chelsea a minimum of £30m, required reassurances.

"Gerrard has no intention of allowing his career to stand still at a club satisfied with fourth place," the Echo reported.

"Anfield officials must reassure him they match his ambition and can launch a serious title challenge with several top-class signings. Otherwise, Chelsea's optimism they can secure the most dramatic transfer of the close season will not be misplaced."

Thor Zakariassen ©