Source: Daily_Mail
Didier Deschamps snubbed Kenny Dalglish's offer to take charge of Liverpool
Liverpool failed in their attempt to hire Didier Deschamps last summer, according to the Marseille boss.[LNB]The former France World Cup winner and Chelsea star revealed he was asked by current caretaker manager Kenny Dalglish to succeed Rafa Benitez in the Anfield hotseat before Roy Hodgson was handed the role.[LNB]But ultimately he opted to stay in France because he had given his word that he would stay at Marseille and see out the final year of his contract.[LNB] Staying put: Marseille boss Didier Deschamps rejected an offer from Liverpool last summer[LNB]'I was immensely flattered to receive Liverpool's offer but there are two principal reasons that made me stay at Marseille,' Deschamps, who prepares his side to play Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League this week, told The Sun.[LNB]'I thought about it for more than two seconds, I won't lie to you. Believe me. It's not every day Liverpool come knocking on your door.[LNB]'It was not an easy decision, I tell you, not easy. But I had given my word here.[LNB]'I had a year left on my contract and committed myself to staying, giving my promise to the president, the fans and the players.[LNB]'There were players who came here for me. Then Liverpool's offer came two days before we started pre-season at the end of June.[LNB] Calling the shots: Dalglish is firm favourite to be handed the Liverpool post on a permanent basis[LNB]'As I am a man of my word, I couldn't do it.[LNB]'At the same time we also had the controversy of the French team at the World Cup in South Africa and I couldn't see myself adding to that by dropping Marseille in it.'[LNB]Deschamps, 42, admitted that the saga surrounding the Merseyside club's then American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett played a part in his 'difficult' decison to reject Dalglish's offer.[LNB]'The Champions League was not decisive. The most important thing for me is the sporting project, the conditions in which I will be able to work.[LNB]'Today, Liverpool's sporting project is not the same as last summer. There was also the sale of the club going on at the time.'[LNB] Izaguirre can solve a problem for Reds as Dalglish runs rule over Celtic aceCarroll is a perfect fit at Liverpool, insists Dalglish after Europa tripEverton boss Moyes eyes summer move for Liverpool kid Eccleston All the latest Liverpool news, features and opinion [LNB]
