* Clubs discussing compensation
* Martinez set to stay at Wigan
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By Justin Palmer
LONDON, May 30 (Reuters) – Liverpool are poised to entrust
Brendan Rodgers with moulding the former European champions into
Premier League title challengers after Swansea City said their
highly-regarded coach had been offered the job as Kenny
Dalglish’s successor.
“Following on from discussions with Liverpool’s owners,
Brendan has informed us that he would like to take up their
offer to manage Liverpool,” Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins said on
the club’s website (www.swanseacity.net) on Wednesday.
Swansea said discussions were still ongoing with Liverpool’s
American owners over compensation for Northern Irishman Rodgers,
who guided the Welsh side to a respectable 11th-place finish in
the Premier League last season, their first campaign at the
highest level since 1983.
“At the moment we are currently in talks with the owners to
agree compensation. We are trying to finalise that within the
next 24 hours,” added Jenkins.
“Although we are very disappointed to lose such a talented,
young British manager, we didn’t wish to stand in his way. We
will always remain good friends and we thank him for his hard
work and passion at this football club over the past two years.”
Liverpool have been searching for a replacement for Anfield
great Dalglish, whose second spell in charge ended after he was
dismissed following the club’s eighth place finish in the
Premier League, their worst for almost 20 years.
Once the dominant force in English football, Liverpool have
not won the championship since 1990. They finished their 2011-12
campaign 37 points behind champions Manchester City and recorded
their fewest wins in a top-flight season since 1953/54.
Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez also held talks with
Liverpool but Wigan chairman Dave Whelan told Sky Sports News
that the Spaniard would remain in charge.
“He moves into the second year of the deal previously
agreed,” Whelan said.
Rodgers, 39, and Swansea won plaudits for their eye-pleasing
passing game and their 1-0 victory over toothless Liverpool in
their final match of the season could not have failed to impress
the Anfield hierarchy.
Whether Liverpool’s long suffering fans will be convinced
remains to be seen with many unhappy at Dalglish’s departure
after a League Cup triumph and FA Cup final appearance.
After spells in charge of Watford and Reading, Rodgers moved
to Swansea in 2010 and guided the Welsh club to promotion from
the Championship (second division) via the playoffs.
Dutchman Louis van Gaal has been linked in the media with
becoming Liverpool’s new Director of Football after Damien
Comolli left in April.
(Editing by Mark Meadows)
