Jamie Carragher says Kenny Dalglish sacking was a 'sad day' for Liverpool

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher admitted it was a "sad day" to see Kenny Dalglish leave Anfield, but accepts everyone must now be "fully committed" to the challenges ahead.

Reds managing director Ian Ayre insists owners Fenway Sports Group are taking the advice of "pre-eminent people in football" in their quest to find the right man to replace Dalglish, sacked after a disappointing Premier League campaign despite winning Carling Cup & reaching FA Cup final.

Long-serving defender Carragher, 34, revealed he had chatted with Dalglish, who remains an Anfield legend, and would now look to next season and supporting the new manager.

Speaking at this morning's ITV Sport Euro 2012 launch in central London, Carragher said: "I spoke to him just before he was getting on his flight and asked: 'is it Kenny now or gaffer?'. He said 'it is Kenny now'

"I am sorry to see him go, but that is football.

"It is a sad day for him, but we respect the owners decision and we have to look forward now.

"I will be fully committed to whoever the manager is."

Carragher won 38 caps for England over 11 years, and came out of retirement to be selected for the 2010 World Cup squad in South Africa.

The Liverpool stalwart feels new Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson will have little option but to hit the ground running this summer.

"Roy said himself he has picked a squad, but does not really know his players yet," added Carragher, who will be part of ITV's media analysis team at the finals.

"I am sure he would like to be a bit more prepared, but he has gone straight into a tournament, and we all know how hard it is to qualify, so hopefully England can do well."

ITV will broadcast their Euro 2012 coverage from a specially-constructed studio in Warsaw, which includes 14 live matches - including England's opening group match against France in Donetsk on June 11 and Ireland versus Spain from Gdansk on June 14 - as well as producing streams on ITV.com.

Former France midfielder Patrick Vieira, 35, is another signed up for ITV's pundit panel, which also includes ex-Manchester United enforcer and Republic of Ireland international Roy Keane France may have imploded at the last World Cup in South Africa, but are rejuvenated under Laurent Blanc, but Vieira believes things will be different this summer.

He said: "They have come a long way since South Africa and Laurent Blanc has changed a lot.

"When you look at the guys up front, they are playing very well as they are through the team.

"Their preparations mean they have created that spirit and momentum to take us to the European Championships and do very well."

PA