Gerard Houllier has resigned from his position as manager of
Liverpool Football Club to take
over a new role as 'Director of Football'.

Rumours of a move 'upstairs' have been doing the rounds ever since
Houllier was taken ill and
despite various denials earlier in the season, KopTalk.com can
confirm that Houllier stood down
as manager earlier today. An emergency press conference was called
and Sky Sports News are now
showing the footage every hour.

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has been appointed as the new manager
with Ian Rush replacing
Phil Thompson as assistant manager. They will take charge of the
first team in time for
Liverpool's next game against Manchester United on Saturday.

A statement read by Rick Parry confirmed the news. It
read: "Liverpool Football Club can confirm
that Gerard Houllier has resigned as manager of first team affairs to
take over the role as
Director of Football with immediate effect.

"This unselfish decision was made by Gerard Houllier to allow the new
coaching team take over
now rather than in the summer. Liverpool Football Club would like to
stress that the decision
was entirely Gerard Houllier's in taking the post which was to be
advertised in the summer and
has nothing to do with our poor league form this year.

"We thank Gerard Houllier for laying new foundations for the club and
for taking us into the new
millennium."

A very emotional Gerard Houllier to thank his staff and players for
all their assistance during
his time as manager.

Houllier said: "I would like to thank everyone, especially Phil
(Thompson), for their support
both on and off the field. I am looking forward to my new role at the
club and will continue to
be a regular face at Melwood on a daily basis. I wish Kenny and Ian
all the luck in the world
and hope that he adopts my family (the squad?) well. I have every
faith that he will.

"More importantly I would like to thank the fans for their support
too. They have been like a
rock to me ever since I came to the club. I would like to assure them
that I will continue to
give the club 100% in my new role."

Houllier, who revealed that he rejected an offer from Fulham to take
over as manager, added:
"Kenny knows where I am if he wants me!"

Dalglish and Rush spoke briefly only to wish Gerard Houllier well.

"Leaving Liverpool was my biggest regret," said Dalglish. "I'm just
pleased that Gerard Houllier
is not leaving as I am sure he would regret making such a decision as
the years tick by. Gerard
is a friend of mine and I know that we can exchange ideas and
thoughts on a daily basis."

Sammy Lee will be retained by the club but there's no room for Phil
Thompson or Joe Corrigan who
have already stepped down. There are rumours that Thompson is a
target of Fulham.

Dalglish is expected to axe several first team players in the summer.
At the press conference
Rick Parry confirmed that Emile Heskey could be one of the first to
go.

"We have received a bid from Spurs, yes," said Parry. "But Kenny
needs to sit down and discuss
the matter with Emile and his agent later this week."