One of the greatest players in the history of football, Kenny Dalglish is a legend at Celtic, Scotland, Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool. He was the IOC European Footballer of the Season, a Ballon D'or Runner Up and FWA Tribute Award recipient in his playing days, and has since been recognised in the FIFA 100, which is a list devised by Pelé of the greatest living footballers, as well as the Scottish, English and European Hall of Fames. As a manager he also goes down in history, having won the First Division title with Liverpool on three occasions and the Premier League with Blackburn Rovers, a season which also saw him presented with the Premier League Manager of the Season award.
Publications have also heaped praise of Kenny throughout his career, as FourFourTwo magazine named him as the greatest striker in post-war British football. Affectionately referred to as King Kenny by Liverpool FC fans, the former trickster was to top a 2006 Liverpool fan poll of 100 Players Who Shook the Kop.
Kenny continued the impressive legacy of his predecessors, Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan, leading Liverpool to their first double, by triumphing over Merseyside rivals Everton in both the League, by two points and in the FA Cup Final in 1985-86. Though his second season was to prove fruitless, he would sign the services of Peter Beardsley, John Barnes and John Aldridge, to give Liverpool the firepower for the road ahead. His new look side only lost two games the entire season and were subsequently crowned league champions.
Another all Merseyside FA Cup Final brought Liverpool fans more delight in 1989 as Liverpool secured another memorable double under Kenny. But that year was to bring the club significant distress, as the Hillsborough Disaster occurred, claiming 96 lives. His appearances at funerals and in helping in the aftermath were considered "colossal and heroic" and in 2018 he was knighted for his contribution to football, charity and the City of Liverpool. He would also have Anfield's Centenary Stand renamed The Kenny Dalglish Stand in recognition of his contribution to the club.
Since stepping away from football, Kenny has helped raise millions of pounds for charity, and founded The Marina Dalglish Appeal with his wife to support the treatment of cancer. Snippets from his remarkable personal and professional story has been widely broadcast and written about, and as an after dinner football speaker he is able to captivate audiences of all shapes and sizes. Ideal for speaking on themes such as leadership, teamwork and overcoming adversity, Kenny Dalglish is a must-have football speaker, capable of inspiring any team.
How to hire Sir Kenny Dalglish
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Sir Kenny Dalglish for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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