Liverpool Football Club Chairman Tom Werner today spoke exclusively to the official website at Anfield and, amongst other things, discussed Kenny Dalglish, transfers, the ongoing search for a new CEO and the latest on the stadium.
First of all Tom, how much are you enjoying the job - and the responsibility - of being Chairman of Liverpool Football Club?
It's a privilege to be working for Liverpool and we all feel as though we are working for something greater than ourselves. I'm excited about the future, we're moving forward and it's just a great privilege to come into work and to do what we can to improve the short term and long term fortunes of the club.
You will have no doubt attended big sporting events all over the world - how does a Merseyside derby compare now that you have experienced it for yourself?
I loved the first half and the last ten minutes! It was a great day and made even more special by Kenny Dalglish's return. There is no other place in the world as exciting as Anfield and I'm looking forward to more victories here.
If you needed any proof that Kenny Dalglish's appointment as manager has given the whole club a lift, did Sunday provide it for you?
Kenny is a terrific stabiliser of the situation. He's been a great manager, as we all know, of the club as well as an iconic figure beloved by all the supporters. He's done everything that we could have hoped for and more to raise the spirits of the fans and I'm looking forward to many victories in the future.
Why were you so sure that Kenny was the right man to see us through until the end of the season?
He certainly knows the club and has been working here for the past 18 months. He knows the history and the passion we all have for this club. I think he's the right man for the job.
We know Kenny has the job until the end of the season - could there be a scenario whereby after that he is offered the job on a permanent basis?
Sure. We've said at his press conference that he fits the criteria that we're looking for for a manager. He's extremely competent, he's excellent at man-management, he knows the philosophy of the club and he's been everything we could have hoped for. At the same time we are certainly looking at what we can do to strengthen the club in the long term and he would be a candidate.
What qualities would any new manager of Liverpool Football Club need to possess?
As I said, you have to understand the philosophy of Liverpool. We understand it ourselves. We've had a great history here and I've watched a lot of videos and watched the attacking, the relentlessness of the team, never being satisfied with a draw. You can just study the words and the actions of our great managers, Paisley and Shankly, and I certainly would include Kenny Dalglish as part of that triumvirate. They know what it means to win and what it means to be a big four club. Our intention is not just to become eligible for the Champions League, but to be the best team in the league.
We're at the start of a new era in Liverpool's history under the ownership of Fenway Sports Group - how important is it that you make the right decision about who your next manager is going to be?
We feel we're not going to be worrying about the pressure of winning or losing on any given weekend. What we want to do is move forward in a responsible way. People expect us to have a certain sort of leadership which I hope we've demonstrated with our winning in Boston and we hope to bring those same qualities - which is finding excellent managers whether that's the manager of the team, or Damien Comolli or the excellent team we have at Chapel Street. They expect us to move forward in a smart way and in a way which honours our traditions.
How big a role will Damien Comolli play in that search and in the discussions which will take place?
Damien is an outstanding talent. I think we'll look back and be very proud of what he will accomplish. He's right now on the phone working on the club's behalf and we've been extremely delighted and impressed with his judgement and his experience. We're looking forward to the results.
Do you expect new players to arrive before the end of the month?
I'm sure you'd want be to be more specific about it! Obviously we're hard at work. It is our intention to improve the club short term. We know there are ways to improve the club and we do have targets. We hope to announce something but we are going to be driven by long term decisions. It's very important for us to strengthen the club not just this season but next season. I think our supporters understand that if we can move forward and be better, not just this week but next week and the week after then that's more important than any short term decision.
Away from on-field matters, what's the latest on your search for a Chief Executive and when do you think you will be in a position to make an announcement?
That's part of the reason we have been over here. We have been talking to a few people. There's nothing to announce but I'm always impressed by the desire that people have to work for Liverpool. This is a great football club and we've been meeting some very interesting people.
All fans will also be keen to learn if there is any update on the stadium decision - is there anything you can tell us?
I'm sorry to be vague but that's another reason we've been over here. We are moving forward with a few ideas but we've nothing to announce yet. It would be much better for me to be quiet about it and then one day say 'Here's our strategy.' But we're going to do it in a deliberate way.
How big is the job which lies ahead of you to take Liverpool back to the top of English football and how driven are yourselves and John to do all you can to make it happen?
It keeps us moving forward. As I said, it's a great privilege to be working here and we feel we're part of a team that is dedicated to the same goal. We want to win trophies and when we go to our museum and see the words of some of our great players and managers, it's inspiring and drives us to be excellent. We know what it takes to win and we are going to be successful here.
Finally, what would your message be to Liverpool fans who are waiting for all sorts of questions to be answered in terms of transfers, new manager, stadium etc...what would you say to them at this crucial stage in the club's history?
I understand the desire that fans have that we need to be successful and regain success quickly. I guess our message is that we are hard at work at it, it's going to take a bit of patience but we are moving forward and we will hopefully improve the club this season. We are going to be successful, it just may take a bit of time.
