GARY MCALLISTER HAS been revealed as Liverpool’s new first-team coach as Brendan Rodgers continues to restructure his back-room staff ahead of the new Premier League season.
The 50 year-old spent two years at Anfield between 2000 and 2002, making 49 appearances and scoring seven times. In 2001, he was part of the Liverpool squad that walked away with the FA Cup, Uefa Cup and League Cup and scored in the memorable 5-4 European final victory against Alaves from the penalty spot.
After his spell at Anfield, McAllister moved to Coventry as player-coach before taking over as Leeds manager in January 2008 but was gone by the end of the year. There was a brief coaching stint at Middlesbrough before he became Gerard Houllier’s assistant at Aston Villa in September 2010 but left Villa Park at the end of the season.
Speaking to Liverpool’s official website about his new appointment, McAllister said:
“I’m delighted. I’m really excited about the prospect of coming back. It’s fantastic and I’m really looking forward to it. I feel as if I owe Liverpool, getting that opportunity at the last stage of my career, at 35 and getting that opportunity.”
“This is similar, I feel the same as I did with that – that was a surprise phone call back then when I was given a chance to come and play at Liverpool as a 35-year-old.
“Right place at the right time, and I just hope it repeats itself. A lot of hard work and dedication… everything is there, Liverpool is a club where you can win things – that’s a fact.”
There has been plenty of changes to Brendan Rodgers’ staff since the end of last term. His assistants, Colin Pascoe and Mike Marsh, were sacked in June while Sean O’Driscoll was announced as Rodgers’ new number two earlier this week. Dutch coach Pep Lijnders has also been promoted to the senior staff.
I like GAA too! If only I cold find a way to wriggle out of my PAYE obligations, I could then throw out a bit of the cash I’d save to my pet sport and everyone would say I’m a great fella.
@Hibernicus: There’s always one who has nothing good to say.
@Richard Ford: You misunderstood, I am inspired & keen to emulate the great man!
@Hibernicus: the man owns and runs a Swiss based company where he is clearly doing pretty well. This is also where he pays tax. I appreciate that might be a difficult concept to wrap your head around when you’ve likely spent your life in the one village.
@Hibernicus: . Well then please do your very best to do so. All donations gratefully accepted Hibernicus.
@Hibernicus: typical
@Paul Odeier: succinct!
@Hibernicus:you come across as a great fella.revenue are crying out for great fellas
As I said to Shane below, we are a tax haven. Tax avoidance is the way of the world. We gratefully accept multiple billions from corporations who base their headquarters here to avoid tax. We can’t have it both ways. People be careful not to fall off their high horses.
Fantastic balanced journalism from the headline down, exactly why I decided to pay for a subscription.
I look forward to the day when I can stop paying tax like all the smart people and donate an iPad to the club raffle for a gushing write-up in the local paper.
@Shane Griffin: When are you expecting to become one of the smart people?
@Shane Griffin: how do you feel about the fact that Ireland is a tax haven? Do you think we should send back the multiple billions we receive from tax dodging corporations every year???