OKAY. Here we go. Deep breath. I’ll just say it: I was wrong.

That wasn’t so bad. I actually feel better now.

Friends will tell you that those words do not trip lightly from my lips. In fact some will now be requiring defibrillation over their morning cereal.

But to continue to maintain a position when faced with mounting evidence to the contrary risks damaging not just your credibility but also your peace of mind, when holding that opinion represents the exact opposite of what you fervently hope will actually be the case.

It wasn’t as if I didn’t want Kenny Dalglish to reclaim the manager’s job; I just wasn’t sure whether this Kenny would be the same one who laid claim to my eternal idolisation as a player and manager between 1977 and 1991.

I shared the doubts expressed in the media about his knowledge of the contemporary game; his lack of experience as a manager in Europe; and whether, at 60, he still had the drive and resources to tackle the undoubtedly testing demands placed on the modern Premier League manager.

I also felt that we were in danger of becoming another Newcastle United, responding to each new crisis with a misplaced nostalgic yearning for former heroes to save us from current tribulations.

But most of all I was scared: scared for Kenny himself, in that returning to the hot seat might rekindle the fears that drove him from the job 20 years ago; and scared that, should he fail, a modern generation of fans might remember him as just another passing manager, rather than the iconic figure who thousands of us regard as the finest player to wear the shirt, and an inspirational manager who built a marvellously entertaining side in the late 80s.

I should have had more faith. His restoration of course immediately healed the growing division between club and fans, and brought to an end the shameful public discontent that marked the end of his predecessor’s reign and made going to the match a painful experience in more ways than one.

Much more difficult would be the marshalling of a mediocre playing staff into a unit which could at least salvage some respectability from the remainder of the season. In achieving this he has undoubtedly been helped by the acquisition of Carroll and, in particular, Luis Suarez, but Kenny’s true achievement has been to improve the contributions made by those still at the club and to introduce new local talent with a zest for the game that has engendered a revitalised team spirit and produced more attractive, enjoyable football. Lucas, Spearing, Kuyt and Meireles have all improved under Kenny; and anyone who can coax a hat-trick out of Maxi Rodriguez must have something going for them.

What comes across loud and clear is that Kenny loves footballers; in turn, they tend to return this affection and want to play for him.

His man-management skills are second to none; all he asks is for his players to display the same passion for the club as he does, and appreciate the privilege of playing for one of the great clubs of world football.

The owners were right to grant Kenny a probationary period but now is the time to acknowledge the will of thousands of supporters, and one chastened columnist, and confirm the return of one of our greatest icons.