The King is dethroned- what now?

Kenny Dalglish's sacking leaves Liverpool in a state of flux. With no chief executive, director of football, head of sports science, head of communications or manager, the Reds enter yet another summer of rebuilding with nobody available to oversee the playing side of the club and uncertainty worryingly abounding.

Unceremoniously, after only one full season in charge, FSG chose to terminate the King's contract, announcing the controversial news on Wednesday afternoon after previously holding crucial talks with the legendary Scot in Boston.

Although it was a decision I disagree with, I can understand why the new American owners showed the 61-year old the door. At times, his tactics have been questionable, his handling of the Suarez-Evra fiasco was farcical and finishing behind neighbours Everton in eighth place is simply unacceptable.

Nevertheless, I believe the King deserved another season in the Anfield hot seat. One poor League finish is only a sackable offence if the football has been dire. That wasn't the case last season, as the Reds regularly played some entertaining and enterprising football but just lacked the striking prowess to turn beautiful build up play into goals.

Moreover, Liverpool have played at the new Wembley three times under Dalglish, reaching two cup finals and lifting the silverware after one of them. Clinching the Reds' first cup in six years in your first full season in charge is no mean feat, and should have been enough to secure another season as manager.

In all likelihood, had we been able to pull off another cup final miracle and recover from two goals down to beat Chelsea then the domestic cup double would have glossed over our woeful League form and FSG would have found it almost impossible to dethrone the King. The fact, therefore, that Dalglish was essentially sacked due to one defeat frustrates me.

Whatever the rights or wrongs about Dalglish's sacking, FSG are now swiftly searching for his successor and many managers have been linked with the Liverpool job. Jobless Josep Guardiola, the former Barcelona manager who led the Catalans to countless cups, would be a dream appointment, although it seems extremely unlikely that FSG will be able to persuade him to occupy the Anfield dugout next season.

The three main contenders are Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Martinez and Rafael Benitez.

Villas-Boas rose to fame during his time at FC Porto, where he won four trophies in his single season in charge. At the tender age of 33, the affectionately nicknamed AVB became the third youngest coach to win the Primeira Liga and the youngest manager ever to win a European competition, as the talented Portugese outfit triumphed in the Europa League.

There were even reports linking him with Liverpool, until Dalglish was given the job full-time. He did move to England eventually, though, managing Chelsea for a chaotic nine months, in which his team leaked goals copiously and Villas-Boas struggled to build a stable back four. Crucially, he lacked the support of the overly influential, experienced players at Stamford Bridge and was sacked by the Blues' petulant owner Roman Abramovich after a lengthy losing streak culminated in defeat to Roy Hodgson's West Bromich Albion in early March.

Villas-Boas adopts an attacking style of play that would prove easy on the eye and Liverpool already have a solid defence. He would also potentially be in it for the long haul, which is what Liverpool need, because of his youth. However, after such a difficult time at Chelsea, he would be under immense pressure immediately and, as a result, I wouldn't be surprised if he preferred a managerial role on the continent.

Having only managed Swansea City and Wigan Athletic, Roberto Martinez may seem an unlikely contender to takeover from Dalglish. However, he has become the hot favourite, and Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has given the Spaniard permission to speak to Liverpool.

Alongside his tirelessly positive attitude and commitment to forward-thinking football, Martinez is noted for bringing the Latics back from the brink of relegation on two occasions. In 2010/2011, Wigan survived thanks to a seventeenth place finish secured following a run of only two defeats in nine matches as the season drew to a conclusion.

This season, despite a disastrous string of defeats eight matches long, Wigan recovered magnificently to finish three places and six points above the drop zone. Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle and even Liverpool were all beaten as Martinez turned his team's campaign around.

Consequently, FSG appear to be interested in bringing him to Anfield, which would undeniably be a huge gamble. It could pay off and the Merseysiders could unearth a managerial gem who transforms the side and becomes a respected big club boss. On the other hand, he could prove to be another, admittedly more promising but ultimately just as disappointing, Roy Hodgson, who succeeds at small clubs but fails on the big stage.

The return of Rafael Benitez has also been discussed. The legendary former Liverpool manager led the club to their fifth European Cup triumph during his first season at the helm, before then landing their latest FA Cup a season later and appearing in the Champions League final again in 2007. The Reds also came the closest they have ever been to winning the Premier League when they finished as runners up under Rafa's guidance in 2008/2009.

Unfortunately, though, with increasing pressure from fans and a shocking lack of support from the former owners, as well as little money to spend on improving a thin squad, Liverpool finished seventh a year later, and Benitez was finally forced out of the club he loves in June 2010.

After a brief spell at Inter Milan, where he won the Italian Super Cup and the Club World Cup, Benitez returned to the Wirral, where he currently lives. His decision to return to Merseyside revealed the deep affection he has not only for the club, but for the whole area as well. Ever since, Benitez has made known his desire to return to manage Liverpool one day and I'm sure he'd bite John Henry's proverbial hand off if the American offered him the chance to return.

As a big Benitez fan and somebody who didn't want to see him leave Liverpool in the first place, I would love to witness Rafa's return. However, it would be a controversial appointment that would divide the fan base, something I'm sure FSG would like to avoid. Perhaps more importantly, FSG are looking to appoint their own men and have a fresh start, so bringing back Benitez probably wouldn't fit with their ideas for progressing forward.

Ultimately, whoever FSG appoint as the new manager, they must be in it for the long term in order to provide much needed stability. Additionally, they must receive the backing of the supporters and be willing to adopt a style of play befitting of Liverpool FC, while not sacrificing all important results and points.

I can't see us finishing much higher than fifth or sixth next season, though, as the new boss will be in the process of implementing his style of play and coaching philosophy and hence results are unlikely to immediately significantly improve.

That's why I don't understand Dalglish's dismissal, as the Reds would probably progress to around fifth or sixth anyway under the Scot, the only difference being that the King would have had an extra year to build his squad and integrate new signings. As it is, we're starting all over again with a new manager and, although expectations will doubtless skyrocket, the reality is turning around Liverpool will be a long process that requires patience.

Let's hope FSG have that patience and, most importantly, a plan.

YNWA