End of an Era - Who will be Rafa's successor?

Following the departure of Rafael Benitez from Liverpool, club legend Kenny Dalglish is stepping up his search to find the next in line for one of the most illustrious jobs in football.


Benitez was at the helm of the Merseyside club for six years and after leaving by mutual consent only last week, he has now taken up the vacant post of head coach of Inter Milan. The 50 year old Spaniard parted company with the reds after a bitterly disappointing season in the 09/10 campaign. Benitez will be remembered for winning the Champions League in his first season in charge of the Reds, but he failed to deliver what the fans crave the most, the title of the English Premier League.


The last man to win a league title for Liverpool is the club's current academy ambassador and former player and manager, Kenny Dalglish.  The 59 year old has been put in charge of finding a suitable replacement for Benitez, but the Scot has been heavily touted to take the reigns himself.


Dalglish is amongst the fans favourites to steer the team back to the top of English football, but top of King Kenny's list sits a familiar face in Roy Hodgson.  The current Fulham boss just had a successful season taking his side all the way to the Europa League final and his managing credentials and success in Europe are attractive to any top flight club. Hodgson, now 60, has previously managed such teams as Inter Milan, Blackburn Rovers and Udinese, and also coached Switzerland in the 1994 World Cup finals, helping them through to the last 16 for the first time in 34 years.


I personally think Hodgson could be a worthy Liverpool manager and he could use his expertise and experience to propel the Reds back into the top four, and back into winning ways. I think a British duo of Hodgson and Dalglish working together would be an ideal combination. The two of them working side by side would see an exciting blend of experience, tactical genius, knowing what the fans want and getting the best out of the players.


Other managers who have been highlighted as potential replacements to Benitez include Aston Villa's Martin O'Neil, Louis Van Gaal, Guus Hiddink, Harry Redknapp, Mark Hughes and a certain Sven Goran Eriksson also popped up on the list.


Meanwhile Liverpool Football Club still remain up or sale as Chairman Nigel Broughton continues his search to find the club new owners and some much needed investment.