Dalglish in for Hodgson at Liverpool

Liverpool FC have parted company with Roy Hodgson and placed club legend Kenny Dalglish in charge for the rest of the season.

The 63-year-old Hodgson was appointed to replace Rafael Benítez in July, seven weeks after leading Fulham FC to the UEFA Europa League final, but oversaw just seven wins in 20 Premier League matches to leave the Reds 12th in the table, four points above the relegation zone.

The former FC Internazionale Milano coach said: "Being asked to manage Liverpool Football Club was a great privilege. Any manager would be honoured to manage a club with such an incredible history, such embedded tradition and such an amazing set of fans. Liverpool is one of the great clubs in world football. I have, however, found the last few months some of the most challenging of my career.

"The club has some great, world-class players, with whom it has been a pleasure to work and I wish the entire squad well for the rest of the season. I thank those with whom I have built up a close working relationship at the club for their loyalty and support during very testing times, and finally of course to the Liverpool fans."

Dalglish, 59, ranks among the highest achievers in the British game. He won 26 major trophies as player and manager, in addition to a record 102 Scotland caps and 30 goals. He signed for Celtic FC in 1967 and inspired the club to six league titles and two cups before joining Liverpool in 1977. After winning three European Champion Clubs' Cups and numerous domestic titles he became player-manager in 1985 and guided, uniquely, the team to a league and cup double in 1986.

Liverpool were never out of the top two during his six years in charge, a spell which reaped two other league titles – including the club's last in 1990 – and another FA Cup triumph. He also won the league at the helm of Blackburn Rovers FC and went on to manage Newcastle United FC and, briefly, Celtic FC. More recently he has been club ambassador at Anfield.

Dalglish's first match in charge will be Sunday's FA Cup third-round fixture away to Manchester United FC, while a UEFA Europa League round of 32 tie against AC Sparta Praha follows next month. "Kenny was not just a legendary footballer, he was the third of our three most successful managers. We are extraordinarily fortunate and grateful that he has decided to step in during the middle of this season," club owner John Henry said.