Following the exit of Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, football pundit and former Republic of Ireland captain Andy Townsend told Football.co.uk's Gareth Burton he expects club legend Kenny Dalglish to take the reins at Anfield.
Dalglish has been out of management for ten years and currently holds an ambassadorial role at the club. Although he delivered the Reds' last league title in 1990, he could now risk damaging his glistening reputation if he fails, but Townsend is adamant he is the right man for the job.
"Kenny looks like he's going back in there," Townsend said.
"Liverpool need galvanising on the field, off the field, upstairs, everywhere. The only way you can do that is with someone who understands the club, lives there and has been successful there.
"I don't think there is a better candidate than Kenny."
Townsend, a former Chelsea and Aston Villa midfielder, accepts that under the ownership of want-away Americans George Gillett and Tom Hicks the club are in an unenviable position, but is firmly backing their latest decision.
"I think they are going down absolutely the right route," he said.
"Kenny's aware of the situation. He knows that ultimately the American guys want to sell, but it could be two years before they can find a buyer. "
Given the increasingly tight purse strings at Anfield, Townsend also believes the appointment could prove a fruitful cost saving measure.
"He probably doesn't need as much transfer funds as somebody else because he has an affinity with the club and doesn't have to put an immediate stamp on it," he said.
"He will want to improve the squad, but he doesn't have to think 'right I'm going to rip up this whole Spanish mentality at Liverpool'.
"I think he has to nurse it back to health, but if you employ a Hiddink or a Hughes then those guys go 'right, I want x, y and z and now'."
Andy Townsend is an ambassador for Lucozade Sport. FIND OUT MORE HERE
Source: DSG
