KENNY Dalglish almost quit as manager of Blackburn Rovers, before the Premier League title came to Ewood in May 1995.

Dalglish, who left his Ewood post of director of football last month, revealed today that he was reviewing his situation the summer before the championship was clinched.

And, if it had not been resolved, he could have left three months into the season which culminated in triumph.

"If I had left, just look at what I would have missed," says Dalglish in a national newspaper serialising his book.

"In the summer of 1994 the board had offered me a new deal, which I refused. Blackburn had reservations about me working on a week-to-week basis, which I wanted. I understood their concern but being without a contract gave me greater control of my situation. I wasn't thinking of leaving. I just preferred the freedom so if I wanted to go I could.

"Blackburn didn't think it was a good idea and, eventually, I agreed to stay until the end of the season.

"If it hadn't been resolved, I would have left Blackburn three months into the season which turned out to be their Championship one."

Dalglish also points out that he had decided to step down as manager while the title race was still in the balance. But he kept it quiet so as not to rock the boat. "I had had enough of the daily grind. I didn't want that any more. I just couldn't be bothered," he says.

When Dalglish told chairman Robert Coar of his decision, he said: "There was not a lot he could do or say. My contract had expired."

He also refutes any suggestion that he had fallen out with Jack Walker, stating their relationship had never changed.

And, on Europe, he says: "Blackburn's failure in Europe was not through any shortcomings in preparation. Ray could only use the players at his disposal and Blackburn did not have enough.

"The last thing anyone wants to do is dismiss our displays in the Champions' League or insist Blackburn could not have done better but I don't think the performances were as bad as they were made out."

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