Manuel Pellegrini, the former Real Madrid coach, has held talks with Kenny Dalglish over the managerial vacancy at Liverpool despite Roy Hodgson remaining the club's preferred candidate to succeed Rafael Benítez at Anfield.
Pellegrini was dismissed by Real last month for failing to deliver in the Champions League or beat Barcelona to the title, although he did produce a club record 96 points during his one and only season at the Bernabéu. The Chilean's agent last night denied reports that the 56-year-old met Dalglish at Heathrow airport but Pellegrini was in England yesterday and did meet the Liverpool legend who is overseeing the search for Benítez's replacement alongside the managing director, Christian Purslow. Dalglish has told the Liverpool board that he would like the job in the absence of any superior candidates.
Negotiations with Pellegrini, who worked with the Liverpool goalkeeper José Reina during a successful five-year spell in charge of Villarreal, reveal that Anfield officials are working through a short-list of candidates to succeed Benítez, although it is understood Hodgson remains top of that list. The Fulham manager has yet to receive an official approach from Liverpool and last night reaffirmed his contentment at Craven Cottage from South Africa, where he is commentating for the BBC.
Asked about Liverpool's interest, Hodgson said: "I'm happy at Fulham. It is all speculation and I can't enlighten you. I don't know any more than you do." An official move for Hodgson from Liverpool is anticipated next week however.
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