Kenny Dalglish, the legendary Scottish footballer and manager, is set to be immortalized in a documentary by acclaimed director Asif Kapadia. Known for his masterful documentaries on Maradona, Amy Winehouse, and Ayrton Senna, Kapadia has now turned his focus to the story of Dalglish, a football icon revered by millions, particularly Liverpool fans who still refer to him as “King Kenny.”
The documentary, titled King Kenny, will chronicle Dalglish’s extraordinary career both as a player and manager, primarily highlighting his illustrious years at Liverpool Football Club. Dalglish, now 73, played an integral role in Liverpool’s dominance in the 1970s and 1980s, with 355 appearances and 118 goals, contributing to numerous trophy wins. His impact on the club was so profound that he is frequently hailed as Liverpool’s greatest player, both by his teammates and in fan polls.
Kapadia’s passion project
Asif Kapadia, a lifelong Liverpool fan, expressed his excitement about the project, calling it a “huge honor” to work on a film about his childhood hero. “Kenny Dalglish was my favorite player growing up. I had his picture on my wall as a kid, so it’s a dream come true to have full access to Kenny, his family, and never-seen-before material from his career,” Kapadia said.
Kapadia aims to create the definitive film on Dalglish, focusing not just on his on-field genius but also on his personality, intelligence, and wit. “I hope to make a film that reveals what made him tick, what made him smile, and what he was thinking on the pitch. This is a film for the younger generation who never saw King Kenny play, as well as those of us who remember him vividly,” Kapadia added.
Dalglish’s humble reflections
Dalglish, who was interviewed on stage by Gabby Logan in London after the documentary was announced, expressed his modesty and gratitude. Reflecting on his journey, he credited his success to the support of his family. “I was lucky growing up. I had good parents that encouraged us. Dad was into football and took me to watch and play. For me, it was something I always wanted to do. The best team I ever had was my family,” Dalglish said.
When asked about the documentary, Dalglish humorously noted the fact that some of Kapadia’s most famous documentaries were made posthumously, such as those on Amy Winehouse and Ayrton Senna. “When I spoke to Asif, it was a huge compliment he came to me. The only thing I was conscious of was that two of the films he made were done posthumously, so I hope we have enough time to finish it,” Dalglish quipped.
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Despite his modesty, Dalglish acknowledged the significance of the project, saying, “It is fantastic what he has done, and I hope I don’t sound disrespectful to those two people who passed away. If he wants to sit down and do it, it is a pleasure, and we have already done about six hours of conversation.”
Dalglish added, “We sit down and talk, and he has got his camera. It’s a different side he’s coming from, considering the performances he has documented in the past. I know how good they are, and this will be a wee bit different. For me, it wasn’t the taking part that counted; it was the winning.”
A tribute to a football legend
The documentary is expected to feature contributions from other football greats who have admired Dalglish throughout his career. The late Franz Beckenbauer once described Dalglish as “one of the best players in the history of football,” and Sir Alex Ferguson, another football legend from Glasgow, praised Dalglish for his “unbelievable vision and strength,” stating that he is “a man I shall always respect.”
Asif Kapadia, who won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, a BAFTA for Best Documentary, and a Grammy for Best Music Film for Amy in 2015, is poised to bring his unique storytelling abilities to King Kenny. The film is slated for release in 2025 on Prime Video, which has previously streamed documentaries on sports stars like Wayne Rooney. The anticipation surrounding this project is immense, as fans and football enthusiasts eagerly await what is sure to be a fitting tribute to one of the sport’s greatest figures.
