By Peter Wilson

Last updated at 13:25, Thursday, 24 May 2012

THERE are times when football does the right thing and it happened only last week. Liverpool sacked their manager.

Peter Wilson

There was none of the usual “by mutual consent” rubbish that normally springs from boardrooms and chief executives’ offices – Kenny Dalglish was shown the door.

And, much as the fans outside the Shankly Gates protested at the decision for the TV cameras, it was the right thing to do.

Handled with ham fists by an anonymous figure in a suit, certainly, but still right.

Mr Dalglish is something of a legend on Merseyside. After all, you don’t get elevated to the status of King Kenny just because it rolls off the tongue.

Although he is not everybody’s cup of tea – some of his smart Alec, graceless press conferences and the Suarez T-shirt affair – the former golden boy of Celtic, Scotland and Liverpool has a reputation to protect.

He was a magnificent player worth every penny of anybody’s ticket money and he has been an excellent manager.

Who else, even given all the wealth of a benevolent and mega-rich owner, will ever take Blackburn Rovers to a Premier League title?

In his first stint as Liverpool boss, he was an outstanding success, winning cups and leagues in true Anfield tradition.

But that was then – and this is now.

Liverpool fans have suffered more than 20 years of seeing that other lot from down the East Lancs Road hogging all the titles, so when he suggests that a Carling Cup victory – achieved by beating a Championship club in a penalty shootout – will live long in the memory, he is clearly kidding.

Perhaps finishing below Everton might live a lot longer, though.

Even one of his current bacth of Red idols – it was either Jamie Carragher or Steven Gerrard – has suggested that Liverpool are miles away from where they yearn to be and when that happens something has to change.

And, as in every other case from Sir Alf Ramsey down, it has to be the manager.

Even the most loyal Koppite can hardly argue against the notion that another modest season lies ahead of the Reds unless a lot of money is spent.

And on the evidence of Mr Dalglish’s near-£100m shopping spree for the likes of Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and even Andy Carroll, is he the man the Americans are likely to trust with their wallet?

Supporters have suggested that Mr Dalglish should have been given more time – and presumably more money (not like Roy Hodgson apparently) to see what happens.

But, however fond the faithful subjects are of their king and may not think it now, a legend has to be preserved without suffering further damage.

So football has done the right thing and said farewell to Mr Dalglish. Now, is there any chance that it might say the same thing to a certain Mr Joey Barton?

First published at 13:11, Thursday, 24 May 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk