Politics led to Benitez's downfall

Rafael Benitez exited stage left from Anfield on Thursday and the talk is now switching to who will take the reins. But whoever is ushered in at Liverpool could be in for a bumpy ride, as the Guardian’s Andy Hunter feels boardroom politics led to Benitez’s downfall.

Were it simply a football decision, a detached analysis of where Liverpool should be in the midst of a debt-ridden power vacuum, then Rafael Benítez, for the many faults, facts and suspect full-backs, would not be leaving Anfield with a lucrative pay-off. But it is not simply football that has done for Benítez.

It is the politicking that is as much a feature of the Spaniard's managerial career as European expertise and the misfortune to fall into the employ of Tom Hicks and George Gillett. The leverage buy-out experts promised a spade in the ground for a new stadium within 60 days of their arrival in February 2007 but have only dug the hole into which Benítez has now fallen. He moved closer to the exit with every refinancing deal the Americans secured while his reputation inevitably suffered with every transfer window without additional funds. Not that Benítez walks away blameless.

In announcing the end of the manager's six-year reign Martin Broughton, the chairman parachuted into Liverpool from British Airways to lend gravitas to the sale of the club, and who could not attend the final home game of last season due to his Chelsea allegiances, stresses that football was behind the departure. No one would dispute Broughton's analysis of the "disappointing season" just gone but this was one dreadful campaign following five seasons of steady progress. The man who delivered Liverpool's fifth European Cup in such miraculous style in 2005 and the FA Cup a year later had enough goodwill left on the Kop to be allowed a shot at redemption. Circumstances inside the club, many Benítez-created, however, ensured that could never happen.

And the man to succeed Rafa is...

So who will succeed Benitez? Roy Hodgson has been linked, as has Guus Hiddink, but the Times’ Tony Evans is convinced Kenny Dalglish is the man in the right place at the right time.

Great players have the knack of being in the right place at the right time. Kenny Dalglish had that uncanny ability. Now, with Liverpool in turmoil, he is in the perfect place.

Dalglish is the only man who can unite a club in danger of imploding.

Twice before the man they call “King Kenny” has provided leadership off the pitch in times of crisis. Twenty-five years ago, after Heysel, he stepped into the manager’s role vacated by Joe Fagan. With the club’s image at an all-time low, his calm leadership won back friends and produced a Double in his first season.

Four years later the Scot’s reputation on Merseyside was enhanced further. In the wake of Hillsborough, Dalglish brought comfort to the families of the dead and injured at great personal emotional cost.

When he left Anfield in 1991, his career as a manager unhinged by tragedy, he remained — alongside Bill Shankly — the towering figure in the club’s history.

Now he finds himself charged with finding the next Liverpool manager after the departure of Rafael Benítez — a massive task for anyone. Dalglish rejoined the club last summer in a wide-ranging position. He was encouraged to return by Christian Purslow, the managing director and a long-time friend. Purslow has had plenty of criticism in recent months but his role in taking Dalglish back to Anfield may prove to be a masterstroke.