Rafael Benitez insisted it was more than just the Scouse connection that secured Sammy Lee the job as his assistant manager.
The Liverpool manager said that Lee, who was unveiled as his number two yesterday, was his first choice regardless of the fact that he became an Anfield legend both as a player and as a coach.
“He is a very experienced and very well respected coach in his own right and his reputation in football made him the outstanding candidate when we knew we were looking for a new member of our coaching staff,” Benitez said.
“We are very pleased because he is someone who knows the club really well.
“He also knows about the passion of the club and about the standards that we set here so that will make it much easier for him to settle into his new role.
“But we have not brought Sammy back simply because he used to play for the club and used to work here as a coach.
“He will add something different to what we already have and it will be good to work with him.
“I already have a good relationship with him and I will be looking to build on that in the weeks and months to come.”
Lee had been out of football since Bolton Wanderers sacked him as their manager in October.
He returned to work as Liverpool held their final training session of the season at Melwood yesterday and said: “When a club the size of Liverpool comes in for you, and when a manager of the magnitude of Rafael Benitez wants you, then you cannot say no.
“When I found out they were interested in me I was really thrilled.
“After the sabbatical I have had I just wish the season was starting tomorrow, but the players have had a long, difficult and demanding season and they need to get away and get their batteries recharged.
“I have been around the Melwood training ground this morning and seen a lot of old faces but a lot of new faces as well.
“I have shaken hands with everyone and introduced myself. There are some great people here and I cannot wait to get working with them. It is so nice to be back.”
Lee also insists he has no regrets about his ill-fated first foray into management after being promoted to take over from Sam Allardyce at Bolton last season.
He added: “I was very honoured and privileged to be given the position as Bolton manager.
“The pride and the honour I felt to be their manager was only outweighed by the sheer disappointment that it did not go well. I have to say the Bolton fans were fantastic towards me. I have not had the chance to say that before but I want to thank them.
“Even when results were not going well they were very supportive towards me and, most importantly, to the players.”
The Liverpool manager said that Lee, who was unveiled as his number two yesterday, was his first choice regardless of the fact that he became an Anfield legend both as a player and as a coach.
“He is a very experienced and very well respected coach in his own right and his reputation in football made him the outstanding candidate when we knew we were looking for a new member of our coaching staff,” Benitez said.
“We are very pleased because he is someone who knows the club really well.
“He also knows about the passion of the club and about the standards that we set here so that will make it much easier for him to settle into his new role.
“But we have not brought Sammy back simply because he used to play for the club and used to work here as a coach.
“He will add something different to what we already have and it will be good to work with him.
“I already have a good relationship with him and I will be looking to build on that in the weeks and months to come.”
Lee had been out of football since Bolton Wanderers sacked him as their manager in October.
He returned to work as Liverpool held their final training session of the season at Melwood yesterday and said: “When a club the size of Liverpool comes in for you, and when a manager of the magnitude of Rafael Benitez wants you, then you cannot say no.
“When I found out they were interested in me I was really thrilled.
“After the sabbatical I have had I just wish the season was starting tomorrow, but the players have had a long, difficult and demanding season and they need to get away and get their batteries recharged.
“I have been around the Melwood training ground this morning and seen a lot of old faces but a lot of new faces as well.
“I have shaken hands with everyone and introduced myself. There are some great people here and I cannot wait to get working with them. It is so nice to be back.”
Lee also insists he has no regrets about his ill-fated first foray into management after being promoted to take over from Sam Allardyce at Bolton last season.
He added: “I was very honoured and privileged to be given the position as Bolton manager.
“The pride and the honour I felt to be their manager was only outweighed by the sheer disappointment that it did not go well. I have to say the Bolton fans were fantastic towards me. I have not had the chance to say that before but I want to thank them.
“Even when results were not going well they were very supportive towards me and, most importantly, to the players.”
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