Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterBy 1985, Kenny Dalglish had already established himself as an all-time Liverpool great.But after eight years as being the Reds talismanic force on the pitch, Dalglish was handed the opportunity to play an even bigger role at the club, when he was asked to succeed manager Joe Fagan.While Dalglish would excel in his new dual player-manager position, it was not a role he had expected to take on, but he admits he was unable to refuse the offer.Dalglish on taking over in the Anfield dugoutI don't know why the club asked me to become player-manager in 1985, the Scot tells FourFourTwo.But they did, so I said, OK, no problem for me. If that's what you want, I'll have a go. You may like Kenny Dalglish on his remarkable career and trophy after trophy Kenny Dalglish: "It's not often that Liverpool fans go to Anfield and want the opposition to win, is it?" Jan Molby on the Liverpool legend who helped shape his Anfield career For Dalglish, it was the structure and culture of the club that made what would be a daunting transition more manageable.The people around me were important there was a vast experience in that dressing room, with the coaching staff, and Bob Paisley came back to help, he continues.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.He was fantastic. The people upstairs, the chief executive, they'd do all the negotiations for wages and transfers, I didn't want to be involved in money. It was really well organised.This backing from everyone in the club allowed Dalglish to focus on the on-pitch matters.They said, All you can do is be your best' to come out of the dressing room and sit in the manager's office, those were my team-mates and it was tough at times, but it wasn't something that you could turn down, he adds.And Dalglishs best would prove to be more than good enough, as he would win the first of three league titles as manager of Liverpool in that very first season in his new role.TOPICSLiverpoolPremier LeagueJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff Writer
