Lee clinches return to Liverpool

Lee was sacked as Bolton manager after just six months in charge

Anfield legend Sammy Lee has returned to Liverpool after being appointed as Rafael Benitez's assistant manager.

Lee, a midfielder in the 1980s glory days, previously worked as reserve team manager and then first team coach under Graeme Souness and Gerard Houllier.

He eventually left for a full-time role with England in 2004 before joining Bolton Wanderers in 2005.

Benitez said: "Sammy knows about the passion of the club and about the standards that we set here."

Lee made 294 appearances for the Reds when they won a string of trophies and was a hero to a generation of Liverpool fans.

606: DEBATE Welcome back Sammy! Zed_The_Red

He will help fill the gap left by Alex Miller, who left his role as first team coach earlier in May to take up a managerial role in Japan.

Benitez has also lost Spanish assistant Paco Ayesteran and sorely needed support on the bench for the 2008-09 campaign.

Lee served as Sam Allardyce's deputy at Bolton for a while before replacing him as boss in April 2007, shortly before the end of the season.

But he endured a terrible start to the following campaign, with Bolton lying second from bottom of the Premier League table when he was removed from his post.

Liverpool were so close to having a great season this time around Sammy Lee

That was not on Benitez's mind, however, as the Spaniard commented: "We have not brought Sammy back simply because he used to play for the club and used to work here as a coach.

"He is a very experienced and very well respected coach in his own right and his reputation in football made him the outstanding candidate when we knew we were looking for a new member of our coaching staff."

Lee said: "The club have made great progress over the last few years and they were so close to having a great season this time around.

"Hopefully we can keep improving and get to where we all want."