http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/jun/29/roy-hodgson-england-manager-crisis? (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/jun/29/roy-hodgson-england-manager-crisis?)
Roy Hodgson could provide the solution to England's identity crisis
As England lurch from scientific foreigner to tub-thumping patriot, Hodgson is the only candidate to offer the best of both words
The quotes write themselves. "He treats us like grown-ups." "He's put a smile back on our faces." When the FA eventually gets around to replacing Fabio Capello, those words, or something very like them, are likely to be the first uttered after the players emerge from their initial exposure to the new man's methods, with the undisguised suggestion that it was the last fellow's personality that was the problem all along, rather than the intrinsic quality of the squad at his disposal.
And when the man who put the smile back on their faces and gave them the key to the drinks cabinet is gone, his replacement will be welcomed with praise for his rigour, his iron discipline, his refusal to indulge a bunch of overpaid superstars, Until he, too, finds the task too great.
The business of appointing England managers is a drama as formal as a Noh play. When one method is perceived to have failed, there is a reflexive swing to the opposite extreme. In this the FA is encouraged and even led by the fans, who perceive in every defeat the failure of an entire set of values. A scientific foreigner is followed by a flag-waving Englishman, and then by a foreigner again. And so on.
One reason for this bipolar behaviour is the lack of a system for appointing managers within the FA. The age-group teams have their coaches, but little consideration is given to the possibility that a suitable candidate may rise up through the ranks to take control of the senior squad.
Continuity gives the comforting impression of a governing body in control of its own affairs. Sometimes it comes up with the right result, but not always. It was the principle through which Germany appointed Jupp Derwall to succeed Helmut Schön in 1978 and Berti Vogts to take over from Franz Beckenbauer 12 years later; all of them won major trophies, but the Mannschaft are now successfully in the hands of an incomer, Joachim Löw. A similar preference for long-term planning and in-house promotion carried France to the World Cup in 1998 with Aimé Jacquet and to the European championship two years later with his former assistant, Roger Lemerre. But this summer, with Raymond Domenech, the system broke down.
When the FA appointed Steve McClaren, Sven-Goran Eriksson's assistant, four years ago, it hoped to secure the benefits of continuity with the added ingredient of an Englishman's natural patriotic fervour. But the man and the moment were wrong, temporarily discrediting the idea of promoting a locally produced coach who had achieved decent results with an unfashionable club.
That formula may now be back in the minds of those FA men who control the national team's affairs, assuming they are of a mind to end their relationship with Capello. But if they want Roy Hodgson to replace the Italian, they had better hurry up. The 62-year-old Fulham manager is so much the flavour of the summer that it was a surprise he did not turn up at Glastonbury to introduce Shakira.
It seems that the power-brokers at Liverpool, having taken a few weeks to reflect on the next step after the dismissal of Rafael Benítez, are also keen to see Hodgson, who may even be installed at Anfield by Thursday, according to some reports. It would seem a perfect appointment. But then Hodgson currently looks like the perfect appointment to every vacancy in English football, particularly to the one that may or may not soon involve the national side.
His CV is an impressive one – if no match for Eriksson's or Capello's – and he has just finished a season in which he took Fulham, a club held in widespread affection, to the final of the Europa League. But there is more to it than that. What Hodgson represents, at this particular moment, is a yearning for a return to older values – in Liverpool's case those of the legendary Boot Room, in England's those of Alf Ramsey and Bobby Robson.
He is a football man, in the wonderfully plain phrase used by Arthur Hopcraft, once of this newspaper, as the title of his classic 1968 survey of the game in its birthplace. At a time of uncertainty, when it is becoming apparent that a Spanish or Italian coach of high achievement and vast earning power offers no guarantee of success, he seems to offer a certain kind of security.
But Hodgson is a football man with an added dimension of sophistication. Thanks to an early decision to seek his fortune in such places as Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Finland, Denmark and the UAE, he speaks five languages and is widely respected in European football. So he may offer, in a sense, the best of both worlds.
But why would Hodgson now seem an ideal candidate for two extremely demanding jobs when he was not considered last time they fell vacant? The answer lies in the fundamental insecurity afflicting English football, in a long-running crisis of identity that would best be eased, in the case of the national team, by the appointment of a modest, perceptive, articulate man with a deep understanding of the culture of the players who would be at his disposal, and a knowledge of their deficiencies as well as their merits. And then we can reassure ourselves that, after all, no World Cup has ever been won by a team with a foreign coach.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/worldcup/article-23850719-bobby-zamora-and-owen-hargreaves-are-not-the-answer-to-englands-future.do? (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/worldcup/article-23850719-bobby-zamora-and-owen-hargreaves-are-not-the-answer-to-englands-future.do?)
Bobby Zamora and Owen Hargreaves are not the answer to England's future
Just when you thought the gloom surrounding the England team couldn't get any worse coach Fabio Capello mentioned two names for the future: Bobby Zamora and Owen Hargreaves.
For many that admission alone will be the final evidence that the Italian should be removed from his position having arguably overseen the worst World Cup campaign in the nation's history.
Judging by the Football Association's refusal to back him yesterday it appears only a matter of time anyway, however while he can be blamed for picking the wrong team or an outdated formation in South Africa, it would be wrong to hold him accountable for a lack of talent to choose from.
n his final press briefing he was asked which players could reignite England in the European Championships qualifiers, which begin in September.
His sense of helplessness was clear for all to see. To be fair, apart from the 29-year-old uncapped Zamora and crocked Hargreaves, who has played just 30 seconds of football in two seasons, he also named Adam Johnson, Kieran Gibbs, Michael Dawson, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere.
Still, it is a list that is hardly going to strike fear in Hungary, who England meet in a friendly next month, let alone the powerhouses of European football right now in Germany, Spain and Holland. Far from revolution, it just sounds like we should expect more of the same.
Is it any wonder though when foreign players continue to dominate the squads of Premier League clubs, leaving little room for new talent to develop?
Statistics have shown that for the last few seasons the amount of English players in the top flight continues to hover around the 35 per cent mark, but that figure looks like it will only get worse not better.
"Where are the young players?" Capello moaned. "The best are in the Under-21 side but they are just not good enough at the moment."
Try telling that to the Germans. Four of the starting 11 who beat England 4-0 in the European Under-21 Championships last summer were instrumental in the 4-1 drubbing of the senior side in Bloemfontain on Sunday.
The difference between the two country's is not just what happened on the field that day, but the mentality when it comes to developing young players.
When they were knocked out of Euro 2000 at the group stage, huge investment was provided to create football schools, while greater emphasis was put on clubs to improve their academies.
Crucially as players developed they were given the chance to play in the top flight rather than seeing a foreigner take their place.
As former England international and FC Koln striker Tony Woodcock explains: "Younger players are getting a chance now in German football which was never the case. We can discuss reserve systems, second teams and winter-breaks, but the fact is that the players that have been given the chance in the Bundesliga over the past two seasons are now developing into top performers at the highest level.
"The authorities over there are very thorough. They've looked at youth development and they've tried to keep the same sort of methodical organisation, but also open it up and get a little bit more flair going in to it."
What a contrast to over here where so many young players are rotting in the reserves or loaned out to lower league clubs.
Just look at Daniel Sturridge. Blessed with great talent he has swapped the bench at Manchester City for another one at Chelsea.
Still if you asked any fan at Stamford Bridge who they would prefer to see up front, they would have no hesitation in saying Didier Drogba's name.
Club still comes before country in the mindset of most supporters let alone the powers that be, especially with the fortunes that can be won or lost in the Premier League.
Howard Wilkinson, who served as Technical Director at the FA between 1997-2001, first proposed the need for a National Football Centre 13 years ago. All the politics at the top level has seen delay after delay and at present the site at Burton will be completed in 2012, but a lot of time has been wasted.
He said: "When I was technical director from 1997, what Germany did is what I proposed and in part what we did for a while.
"But as we do in this country it got eroded and people weren't as privy to it as they should have been in power.
"We need to have more English players playing in the top flight, but given the popularity and competitive nature of the Premier League, the current number of English players reducing is going to get worse.
"You can't change it. You can't force clubs to play English players. We are stuck unless football is prepared to make some radical organisational changes in its structure.
"My view is that we have to put more resource and backing to providing tournament football for young international teams and we have to support that as opposed to now where it is very difficult to get players released."
The Premier League will argue they have already taken steps by introducing a new rule for next season which requires eight 'home-grown' players to be included in a squad of 25, but that clearly doesn't mean they will get a chance to play.
It is just a step in the right direction, which is timely considering England's Under-17's won the European Championships last month, the nation's first age-group title since 1993.
There is a lot of hope for that generation of players to be stars for the future. We have witnessed one group waste their opportunity, we can't afford another.
One of the biggest differences between England and Germany is the difference between how many players who played in the final of the European Under-21s Championships last year have played regularly for their clubs in the top flight.
England
Scott Loach
Watford's No 1. this season, but playing in the Championship is hardly preparation for international football.
Martin Cranie
Same applies for this Coventry defender.
Micah Richards
Started only half the Premier League games for Manchester City and is set to be sold as more expensive foreign talent is expected to arrive at Eastlands this summer.
Nedum Onuoha
Another talented youth product from Manchester City's youth ranks, but he was in the first XI just five times in the Premier League.
Kieran Gibbs
Talented left back at Arsenal, yet with Gael Clichy ahead of him his number of appearances didn't get to double figures.
Fabrice Muamba
One of the few to make a real impact in the top flight. The former Arsenal traineee only missed two Premier League games for Bolton and has a promising future.
Lee Cattermole
A knee injury disrupted the midfielder's season, but he still featured regularly for Sunderland, which is his third club in as many years.
Mark Noble
Promising talent from West Ham's Academy who is now a first team regular.
James Milner
The only one to make the progression into the senior squad after a good season at Aston Villa. Can expect many more games for England.
Adam Johnson
Impressed after moving from Middlesbrough to Manchester City in January and only just missed out on going to the World Cup.
Theo Walcott
Has become a fringe player at Arsenal and it affected his confidence. Ended up being surprisingly dropped by Fabio Capello after failing to impress in the friendlies before the tournament.
Germany
Manuel Neuer
Germany's No. 1 has been Schalke's starting goalkeeper for a few years now and has a wealth of experience in the Bundesliga at the age of just 24.
Andreas Beck
Plays regularly for unfancied 1899 Hoffenheim, but already has six caps for the senior Germany side.
Benedikt Howedes
Has progressed through the Schalke youth ranks from the age of 13 and is now an ever present in the team.
Jerome Boateng
Says it all that the Hamburg left back, who kept Milner quiet on Sunday, has even attracted the attention of Manchester City's millions and will play for them next season.
Sebastian Boenisch
Continuing to establish himself at another top flight club in Werder Bremen with 50 appearances in last three seasons.
Mats Hummels
He may not have made the grade at Bayern Munich, but the defender has starred for Borussia Dortmund since he moved there on a permanent basis last year.
Fabian Johnson
One of the few players from the team struggling to make much of an impact. Only made 10 appearances for Wolfsburg this season.
Gonzalo Castro
The 20-year-old made his debut for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and Champions League three years ago. He already has played 149 matches in Germany's top division.
Sami Khedira
This impressive midfielder has been at Stuttgart for 15 years and was part of their title winning side in 2007. Won his first cap nine months ago and was called up as Michael Ballack's replacement.
Mesut Ozil
One of the best players at the World Cup and it is no surprise having and played over 100 matches in the Bundesliga. His career took off after joining Werder Bremen from Schalke two years ago.
Sandro Wagner
The striker has yet to make his debut for Werder Bremen having joined from Second Division side MSV Duisburg in January.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/chris-kamara-fabio-capellos-position-untenable-14859072.html? (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/chris-kamara-fabio-capellos-position-untenable-14859072.html?)
Chris Kamara: Fabio Capello's position 'untenable'
Chris Kamara has branded Fabio Capello's position "untenable".
The TV pundit has been in South Africa throughout the World Cup, paying special attention to England games and has been left aghast at the dismal performances the Three Lions have served up.
Capello and his players landed at Heathrow this morning but were whisked away without offering any further opinion on Sunday's shattering 4-1 defeat by Germany in Bloemfontein that consigned them to an early flight home.
After a meeting with Club England chairman Sir David Richards yesterday, Capello must now wait two weeks before he finds out whether he will be allowed to see out his recently revised £6million-a-year contract, that runs to Euro 2012.
Kamara feels the Italian has no chance and should go now.
"His position becomes untenable," he said.
"That is the worst performance at a tournament I have ever seen from an England team. That performance was shocking.
"The tactics were poor. The decisions he made were poor. He never got any cohesion around the squad. He failed basically.
"I am sure he is not going to walk away. The FA are going to have force him out.
"But it would be a hard, long way back now for him to convince people he is the right man for the job."
While Capello takes a short break, Richards will seek further discussions with Club England managing director Adrian Bevington, FA director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking and acting chief executive Alex Horne before making his recommendations to the full international board.
If Kamara had his way, the decision would be fairly straightforward.
"The manager's decisions were all poor," he said.
"We didn't play and we didn't have any tactical nous. But the manager is not big enough to hold his hands up and say 'it was my fault'."
A failure to admit his mistakes is one of the major complaints over Capello's management style.
England's players grew irritated by remaining in their rooms at a remote training location near Rustenburg for long periods, which an extended four-week build-up, that started with an altitude training camp in Austria, did not help.
Another major complaint was the staid, regimented adherence to the 4-4-2 approach, which seems to have limited use on the international front as the more fluid formations of Brazil, Argentina, Holland and Germany hold sway.
Wayne Rooney enjoyed a phenomenal season at Manchester United operating mainly as a lone striker, and huge calls to use him in that role, with Steven Gerrard just behind, went unheeded.
"Basically Fabio Capello got found out," said Kamara.
"We all know. Everybody knows. He played 4-4-2. He played a formation that didn't suit us.
"He is trying to make excuses for himself but he stuck with that formation and made like-for-like substitutions. The game and the pattern of the play never ever changed.
"The players tried to tell him. John Terry tried to tell him. Wayne Rooney, in the way that he played, tried to tell him. Joe Cole's body language off the bench. They all tried to tell him.
"They wanted to feel comfortable in the positions where they wanted to play. Unfortunately, the ostrich stuck its head in the sand."
Kamara's withering assault continued as he assessed Capello's belief that a winter break is needed to get the best out of England's player.
It has been pointed out the likes of Carlos Tevez and Dirk Kuyt still appear full of energy after an arduous Premier League season, and Kamara has little sympathy.
"It is a lot of rubbish," he said.
"Capello said they trained well enough, it was just the games.
"Well, don't train them so hard. Give them loads of time off if they are tired.
"Those players were ready for this competition. We know they were ready for this competition.
"It is the pattern of play or rather there wasn't a pattern if you are being honest.
"We were full of optimism going right into the last game. We wanted to give Fabio the benefit of the doubt.
"But it never changed. If anything, it got worse instead of better."
Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/chris-kamara-fabio-capellos-position-untenable-14859072.html?#ixzz0sJgeXwhh (http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/chris-kamara-fabio-capellos-position-untenable-14859072.html?#ixzz0sJgeXwhh)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/arsenal/7861942/Arsenal-agree-Laurent-Koscielny-deal-and-turn-attention-to-Mark-Schwarzer.html? (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/arsenal/7861942/Arsenal-agree-Laurent-Koscielny-deal-and-turn-attention-to-Mark-Schwarzer.html?)
Arsenal agree Laurent Koscielny deal and turn attention to Mark Schwarzer
Arsenal have reached a verbal agreement with Lorient on the £8.5million signing of centre-back Laurent Koscielny and will now turn their attention to clinching a deal for Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
The last details on Koscielny's contract are being finalised, with confirmation of his arrival expected within the next week.
Koscielny will effectively replace William Gallas as the likely centre-back partner to Thomas Vermaelen, with Arsène Wenger still hoping that Sol Campbell will agree an extra year on his contract and so provide defensive cover alongside Johan Djourou.
Campbell is also wanted by Celtic and, if he does move on, Wenger would be forced to sign a second new centre-back this summer.
Both Gallas, who turned down the offer of a one-year contract, and Mikaël Silvestre will become free agents at midnight on Wednesday when they reach the end of their respective contracts.
Agreement has also been reached for Francis Coquelin, a France Under-19 international, to move to Lorient on loan next season, while Arsenal will listen to offers for Eduardo.
The Croatia forward did agree a new contract at the end of last year, but Arsenal clearly cannot meet his desire for regular first-term football and Wenger is sympathetic to his predicament.
Eduardo still did not appear completely recovered last season from his horrific ankle injury, while Arsenal now also have new signing Marouane Chamakh competing with Robin Van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner to be the main central striker in the preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. There is a feeling that a fresh start may well suit both parties.
The interest in Schwarzer will encourage Arsenal supporters who have generally lost faith in Manuel Almunia as well as his deputy Lukasz Fabianski following mistakes at critical moments of last season.
Arsenal have been knocked back by Fulham with their initial inquiry, but will renew their interest and are hopeful of clinching a deal.
The situation with Joe Cole, who is now a free agent after being released by Chelsea, also remains fluid. Wenger will be mindful both of his age and recent injury record, but knows that the addition to his squad of another senior player with recent trophy-winning experience could be invaluable.
The signing of Cole would become far more likely, however, if Eduardo or Cesc Fabregas depart. Barcelona have had an offer of £29.2million turned down for Fabregas, with Arsenal expecting at least £45million for their captain.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/29/2001664/roy-hodgson-on-verge-of-resigning-from-fulham-to-force-liverpool-? (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/29/2001664/roy-hodgson-on-verge-of-resigning-from-fulham-to-force-liverpool-?)
Roy Hodgson on verge of resigning from Fulham to force Liverpool switch
Chairman Al Fayed unwilling to let manager leave Craven Cottage
Roy Hodgson is on the verge of resigning from Fulham to force through his appointment as the new Liverpool manager, Goal.com UK can reveal.
Liverpool were granted permission to speak to the 62-year-old two weeks ago and were confident they could announce Hodgson as Rafael Benitez's successor on Thursday.
But Fulham owner and chairman Mohamed Al Fayed is digging in his heels because he does not want Hodgson to go.
Fayed does not believe that £2.5 million – the compensation clause written into Hodgson's 12-month rolling contract – is sufficient for a manager who took the club to their first European final last month and has been strongly linked with the England position.
It is understood Liverpool and Fulham have had discussions about the London club taking a number of young first-team fringe players from Merseyside to Craven Cottage to force through Hodgson's switch rather than pay a flat fee.
Talks have broken down over which players should be included in the deal and sources say Hodgson might have to resign in order to take over at Anfield.
Liverpool have decided to act quickly after the Football Association revealed it has given itself a fortnight to consider the future of Fabio Capello following England's humiliating World Cup exit.
Hodgson was unwilling to commit to Liverpool before England's make-or-break World Cup group game against Slovenia last week but has now decided that the challenge of managing a club of such prestige is too good to miss, despite boardroom instability.
Hodgson has already told the Anfield club that he wants to take his Fulham assistant Mike Kelly to Liverpool.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/29/fabio-capello-roy-hodgson-england-manager? (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/29/fabio-capello-roy-hodgson-england-manager?)
Support for Fabio Capello grows with Roy Hodgson Liverpool bound
• Key figures in FA ready to back England manager
• Options are limited if Capello is sacked
Fabio Capello received the public backing of one of the senior figures within the Football Association to stay in his job with Roy Hodgson, the leading candidate to replace him, on the verge of joining Liverpool.
The England manager arrived in London with his crestfallen England players today following their humiliating World Cup elimination to Germany having been told by Sir Dave Richards, the chairman of Club England, that no decision would be made on his future as the national manager for two weeks at the earliest. The Italian has since departed on holiday, although it is understood he already benefits from the support of influential figures within the FA to retain his post.
That could yet prove significant as Richards gauges opinion within and outside the game's governing body as to how to progress with the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign to begin in the autumn. The Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside, a member of the FA's main board and a close ally of Richards, voiced that support by telling the BBC tonight: "We've got the best man for the job. It's not his fault. I hope he stays and I think he will stay. He has done a good job and he needs to be able to get on with it. It's not about the money, we have to be strong."
Capello has made it clear to his employers that he does not intend to resign with two seasons remaining on his £6m-a-year contract, effectively placing the onus on them to sack him if they wish to instigate a change at the top. The financial reality of terminating the 64-year-old's contract, however, would force the FA into paying around £10m in compensation for the Champions League, Serie A and La Liga winning coach, a figure the body will instinctively consider prohibitive.
The FA's options for a potential successor appear to be dwindling with Liverpool on the brink of agreeing terms with the Fulham manager, Hodgson, to move to Merseyside. The 62-year-old has been the frontrunner to replace Rafael Benítez as Liverpool manager since the Spaniard accepted a £6m severance payoff to leave the club this month.
Hodgson has long coveted the England manager's job and told the Observer recently that the national position would represent "a crowning glory" in his nomadic career. Yet, despite the possibility of a vacancy arising at the FA within a fortnight, his appointment at Liverpool could be made official as early as today.
Negotiations between Anfield officials and the former Internazionale coach have advanced significantly since Hodgson's return from commentary duties in South Africa, to the extent that only the specifics of his contract have to be resolved. Liverpool are happy to meet the £2.5m compensation fee in Hodgson's 12-month rolling contract with Fulham, although a complication could be that he may have to quit Craven Cottage in order to clear the way for the move north. Yet they are confident the uncertainty over the club's ownership and the future of their leading players has not diminished Hodgson's desire to remain in club football at Anfield.
Liverpool, who have not qualified for next season's Champions League after their seventh-placed finish in the Premier League, had wanted Benítez's successor in place before their players return for pre-season training. The first batch of Liverpool players report back on Thursday, a second group are scheduled to return on Monday and their World Cup contingent will start pre-season training at staggered times throughout July depending on their nation's progress in South Africa. The club's assistant manager, Sammy Lee, will be at the helm in the event of their managerial search being prolonged.
As well as Hodgson, the former Real Madrid and Villarreal coach, Manuel Pellegrini, and the Marseille coach Didier Deschamps have all been linked with the Liverpool vacancy. Kenny Dalglish, who has been involved in the managerial search alongside Liverpool's managing director, Christian Purslow, made it known that he wanted the job in the absence of better qualified candidates. However, the Liverpool board wanted a manager who has been working in the game recently.
Deschamps, whose presence on the Liverpool short-list was revealed last week by the Marseille president, Jean-Claude Dassier, today signed a one-year extension to his contract with the French champions, taking him to 2012.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290685/Red-hot-Roy-Why-Hodgson-Liverpools-wanted-.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290685/Red-hot-Roy-Why-Hodgson-Liverpools-wanted-.html)
Red hot for Roy: Why Hodgson became Liverpool's most wanted...
Roy Hodgson will be unveiled as the new Liverpool manager this afternoon. With Fabio Capello fighting to keep the England job after a disastrous World Cup, Hodgson had also been touted as a leading contender to replace the Italian. How has the 62-year-old from Croydon become the hottest asset in English football?
Fulham had just reached the Europa League semi-final courtesy of a 1-0 win in Wolfsburg - at that point arguably the biggest game in their 131-year history - and Roy Hodgson was asked how he felt to be flying the flag for English football. 'It'll help our UEFA co-efficient,' he replied, without a hint of irony.
It was pure Hodgson: straightlaced to the point of suffocation but making an intelligent, considered point. He does not deal in vacuous, off-the-cuff soundbites and devours Jewish-American fiction (Philip Roth, Isaac Bashevis Singer and Saul Bellow) in his spare time.
Hodgson is a manager who spends his days honing, organising and coaching on the training pitch. He was - briefly, from 1972-73 at Alleyn's School in south-west London - a PE teacher, after all.
'Of course it's nice for people to believe some managers are born with a magical quality that will transform bad into good, but I don't,' he says. 'It's about leadership skills, practice, repetition and bloody hard work.'
Repetition is the cornerstone of Hodgson's success. There were grumblings from within Fabio Capello's World Cup squad that the Italian didn't spend enough time on 'pattern of play' drills, but Hodgson's Fulham did this every day. Fellow coaches and managers, such as Steve Coppell and Glenn Roeder, often attended sessions to watch the 62-year-old in action.
'Every day in training is geared towards team shape on the match day coming up,' said midfielder Simon Davies. 'Every day is team shape and it shows.
'He gets the 11 that he wants on a match day and he drills everything in that he wants. There are no diagrams. It's all on the pitch with the ball, nothing unopposed.'
Hodgson has described his approach as 'player-orientated'. Words 'spill out left, right and centre' from a man who speaks five languages. His players know exactly what he expects and how they can be successful in their ascribed roles. They also know who's playing more than two hours before kick-off.
After failing to make the grade at Crystal Palace and playing non- League football, Hodgson gained his full coaching badge aged just 23. He followed the likes of Don Howe, Sir Bobby Robson and Terry Venables - tracksuited English coaches who relished their 'time on the grass', as Robson called it.
With Hodgson it was 11 versus 11 every day, the manager stopping play to make a tactical or technical point, or to tell a player they weren't in the right position at the right time. Hodgson was at the heart of everything, in his shorts with his socks pulled up to his knees.
Zoltan Gera said: 'We do the same thing in every session and sometimes it gets boring but we know it's working so I'm happy to do it. Put it this way, when I wake up in the middle of the night I know what I need to do in the game, I know everything about how we play.'
Fulham players could have slotted back into position in their sleep last season but, for all Hodgson's emphasis on repetition, he is not a man resistant to change. Quite the opposite, in fact. It is part of the reason the League Managers' Association's manager of the year has rarely been out of work during a 33-year coaching career.
At Fulham he introduced a basketball defensive system, called a 'zonal trap', where his team moved as a unit when protecting their goal. When he joined Inter Milan in 1995 he asked Italian World Cup winner Giuseppe Bergomi, who had always marked man-to-man, to mark zonally. The team switched from a libero system to a back four and Hodgson asked Bergomi to play at right back.
After taking over at Hamstad in 1976, his first management role, Hodgson and his great friend Bob Houghton revolutionised Swedish football. They abandoned man-to-man marking all over the field in favour of a zonal approach. It is no wonder Hodgson tends to bristle at the suggestion he is an old-fashioned manager.
Now he will find himself rebuilding a Liverpool side bereft of confidence and star quality, against a backdrop of high expectations. Hodgson will need to draw heavily on those decades of experience.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290685/Red-hot-Roy-Why-Hodgson-Liverpools-wanted-.html#ixzz0sJiWZlCe (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290685/Red-hot-Roy-Why-Hodgson-Liverpools-wanted-.html#ixzz0sJiWZlCe)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7862114/Fulham-poised-to-make-move-for-Sven-Goran-Eriksson-to-fill-gap-left-by-Roy-Hodgson.html? (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7862114/Fulham-poised-to-make-move-for-Sven-Goran-Eriksson-to-fill-gap-left-by-Roy-Hodgson.html?)
Fulham poised to make move for Sven-Goran Eriksson to fill gap left by Roy Hodgson
Fulham are set to move for the former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson to replace the departing Roy Hodgson, who looks likely to take over at Liverpool.
The Swede was considered by Fulham before the appointment of Hodgson in December 2007 and the Europa League finalists have identified Eriksson as the coach to maintain the club's progress.
Before Hodgson appointment, the club's then chief executive, David McNally, had approached Eriksson and the two parties were close to an agreement before the appointment was vetoed by chairman Mohamed Fayed.
Other candidates include Mark Hughes and Tony Mowbray. Alistair Mackintosh, Fulham's chief executive, worked with former Wales manager Hughes at Manchester City and remains an admirer.
However, it is felt that Eriksson's success, particularly in Italian football, and experience managing three international teams, offers better credentials.
Eriksson who managed Ivory Coast during the World Cup, is available following the African team's elimination from the tournament.
He said recently that he was open to offers and, having enjoyed relative success during his time at Manchester City, would relish the opportunity to return to the Premier League.
Eriksson coached in Sweden and Portugal, with Benfica, before spells in Italian football with Roma, Sampdoria and Lazio. With the latter, he won the European Cup-Winners' Cup and reached a Uefa Cup final while also winning Serie A, in 2000.
Eriksson's most high-profile job was as manager of England, taking them to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2002 and 2006. He has not managed at club level since leaving City two years ago, when the fans took part in a march in an attempt to persuade the owners not to sack him.
He had a short, unsuccessful spell at Notts County, then in League Two, as director of football earlier this year.
The only potential stumbling block could be Eriksson's wage demands.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290692/Alan-Curbishley-tops-Fulham-wish-list-search-Hodgson-successor.html?ITO=1490 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290692/Alan-Curbishley-tops-Fulham-wish-list-search-Hodgson-successor.html?ITO=1490)
Alan Curbishley tops Fulham wish-list as they search for Hodgson successor
Alan Curbishley has been installed as the clear favourite to replace Liverpool-bound Roy Hodgson as manager of Fulham.
The former Charlton and West Ham boss is on a short-list at Craven Cottage which also includes Sven Goran Eriksson and Mark Hughes.
Former England manager Eriksson, who is a free agent after standing down as Ivory Coast coach, is aware of Fulham's interest and would be tempted by a return to the Barclays Premier League.
As for Hughes, his decision to reject the chance of a lucrative contract with Dubai team Al Ahli, despite two days of talks, means he remains on the market.
However, the cost of bringing either Eriksson or Hughes to Craven Cottage would seem to be prohibitive. That has opened the door for Curbishley, who has not managed since parting company with West Ham in September 2008.
The 52-year-old is no stranger to working on a tight budget, which is likely to appeal to Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed, having excelled on a shoestring with Charlton during 15 largely successful years at The Valley.
Whoever takes over is likely to have to field a bid for Brede Hangeland from Hodgson after his Anfield move.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290692/Alan-Curbishley-tops-Fulham-wish-list-search-Hodgson-successor.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0sJjkW2XD (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290692/Alan-Curbishley-tops-Fulham-wish-list-search-Hodgson-successor.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0sJjkW2XD)
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/29/2002088/napoli-target-fulham-and-usa-international-clint-dempsey? (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/29/2002088/napoli-target-fulham-and-usa-international-clint-dempsey?)
Napoli target Fulham and USA international Clint Dempsey - report
Italian club Napoli, who have qualified for this seasons Europa League, are interested in signing Fulham and United States attacking midfielder Clint Dempsey during the summer transfer window, as their search for attacking options continues, according to Italian newspaper Il Mattino.
Dempsey hit the headlines against Napoli's rivals Juventus in March of this year when he sensationally chipped Antonio Chimenti to end Juve's Europa League campaign, as they crashed out to a humiliating 4-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.
Fellow United States international and Villarreal striker Jozy Altidore is also on Naploi's radar, with the American's loan deal at Hull City ending in June and his future at the Spanish club in doubt.
Both Altidore and Dempsey featured for the United States in this summer's World Cup tournament in South Africa, with Dempsey scoring an equaliser against England in the opening game before crashing out in the knockout stages to Ghana after extra-time.
Dempsey signed an extension to his Fulham contract last summer, and is contracted to the club until 2013, so the Cottagers are in a strong position to fight off any advances made by the Italian club.
However, uncertainty regarding the possible resignation of Fulham manager Roy Hodgson to allow for a move to Liverpool could see Dempsey push for a move away from Craven Cottage.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/06/30/2002148/breaking-news-liverpool-to-unveil-roy-hodgson-as-manager? (http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/06/30/2002148/breaking-news-liverpool-to-unveil-roy-hodgson-as-manager?)
BREAKING NEWS: Liverpool To Unveil Roy Hodgson As Manager After Agreeing £2m Compensation Package With Fulham
Hodgson set to replace Benitez at Anfield helm...
Liverpool will unveil Roy Hodgson as their new manager on Wednesday having agreed a £2 million compensation package with Premier League rivals Fulham for his services.
Hodgson will replace Rafael Benitez, now at Inter, who left Anfield on June 3 following a disappointing season and continuous clashes with the Liverpool hierarchy.
Discussions have been ongoing since early June and while it was reported Hodgson would wait for the outcome of talks between England manager Fabio Capello and the FA before making any concrete decision, it seems the delay was simply a case of financial negotiations between Fulham and the Reds.
Hodgson's first task will be to resolve the futures of key players such as Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun, all of whom have been linked with moves away from the club.
Hodgson is not new to high level management, having himself managing at Inter, while he also been in charge of Switzerland and Finland on the international scene, as well as winning league championships in Sweden and Denmark with Malmo and Copenhagen respectively.
Although the draw has yet to be made, Liverpool begin their season in late July in the third qualifying phase of the Europa League.
http://cottagers.blogspot.com/2010/06/bye-woy-thanks-fro-everything.html? (http://cottagers.blogspot.com/2010/06/bye-woy-thanks-fro-everything.html?)
Bye Woy. Thanks for everything!
It appears that Woy has finally left the building - the allure of the big club on hard times was just too much. I can fully understand his decision and he has worked wonders with Fulham in order to be even linked with that kind of job. But why Liverpool? I'm going to struggle to wish him well while he's there. Growing up in East Manchester in the 80s when Liverpool were winning everything meant that I knew more Liverpool fans than Man City fans.
Still I hope he does well, but not great. Consistent Europa League qualification will do Woy. The Champions League is old news.
As for replacements? Well this news certainly brings a narrative to the up coming season which wasn't necessarily there before. No-one really knew what Fulham would do next with Woy at the helm. Now there is a clear ambition - survival! Personally I think Alan Curbishley would be a safe pair of hands, but after a season in which Fulham reached a European final, would the fans be happy with that? It's going to be an interesting few months.
Quote from: WhiteJC on June 30, 2010, 07:58:44 AM
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7862114/Fulham-poised-to-make-move-for-Sven-Goran-Eriksson-to-fill-gap-left-by-Roy-Hodgson.html? (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7862114/Fulham-poised-to-make-move-for-Sven-Goran-Eriksson-to-fill-gap-left-by-Roy-Hodgson.html?)
Fulham poised to make move for Sven-Goran Eriksson to fill gap left by Roy Hodgson
Fulham are set to move for the former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson to replace the departing Roy Hodgson, who looks likely to take over at Liverpool.
The Swede was considered by Fulham before the appointment of Hodgson in December 2007 and the Europa League finalists have identified Eriksson as the coach to maintain the club's progress.
Before Hodgson appointment, the club's then chief executive, David McNally, had approached Eriksson and the two parties were close to an agreement before the appointment was vetoed by chairman Mohamed Fayed.
Other candidates include Mark Hughes and Tony Mowbray. Alistair Mackintosh, Fulham's chief executive, worked with former Wales manager Hughes at Manchester City and remains an admirer.
However, it is felt that Eriksson's success, particularly in Italian football, and experience managing three international teams, offers better credentials.
Eriksson who managed Ivory Coast during the World Cup, is available following the African team's elimination from the tournament.
He said recently that he was open to offers and, having enjoyed relative success during his time at Manchester City, would relish the opportunity to return to the Premier League.
Eriksson coached in Sweden and Portugal, with Benfica, before spells in Italian football with Roma, Sampdoria and Lazio. With the latter, he won the European Cup-Winners' Cup and reached a Uefa Cup final while also winning Serie A, in 2000.
Eriksson's most high-profile job was as manager of England, taking them to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2002 and 2006. He has not managed at club level since leaving City two years ago, when the fans took part in a march in an attempt to persuade the owners not to sack him.
He had a short, unsuccessful spell at Notts County, then in League Two, as director of football earlier this year.
The only potential stumbling block could be Eriksson's wage demands.
Just threw up in my mouth reading this.
Quote from: WhiteJC on June 30, 2010, 08:02:11 AM
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/29/2002088/napoli-target-fulham-and-usa-international-clint-dempsey? (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/29/2002088/napoli-target-fulham-and-usa-international-clint-dempsey?)
Napoli target Fulham and USA international Clint Dempsey - report
Italian club Napoli, who have qualified for this seasons Europa League, are interested in signing Fulham and United States attacking midfielder Clint Dempsey during the summer transfer window, as their search for attacking options continues, according to Italian newspaper Il Mattino.
Dempsey hit the headlines against Napoli's rivals Juventus in March of this year when he sensationally chipped Antonio Chimenti to end Juve's Europa League campaign, as they crashed out to a humiliating 4-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.
Fellow United States international and Villarreal striker Jozy Altidore is also on Naploi's radar, with the American's loan deal at Hull City ending in June and his future at the Spanish club in doubt.
Both Altidore and Dempsey featured for the United States in this summer's World Cup tournament in South Africa, with Dempsey scoring an equaliser against England in the opening game before crashing out in the knockout stages to Ghana after extra-time.
Dempsey signed an extension to his Fulham contract last summer, and is contracted to the club until 2013, so the Cottagers are in a strong position to fight off any advances made by the Italian club.
However, uncertainty regarding the possible resignation of Fulham manager Roy Hodgson to allow for a move to Liverpool could see Dempsey push for a move away from Craven Cottage.
Not going to happen!
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Liverpool-Roy-Hodgson-Will-Be-Unveiled-As-The-New-Liverpool-Manager-Says-Liverpool-Echo/Article/201006415656935?f=rss (http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Liverpool-Roy-Hodgson-Will-Be-Unveiled-As-The-New-Liverpool-Manager-Says-Liverpool-Echo/Article/201006415656935?f=rss)
Roy Hodgson 'Confirmed As New Liverpool Boss'
Roy Hodgson will be confirmed as the new Liverpool manager, the Liverpool Echo is reporting.
The paper claims the 62-year-old is to be announced as Rafael Benitez's replacement after the Reds agreed a £2m compensation package with Fulham.
Negotiations had been going on between Liverpool's managing director Christian Purslow and Fulham's chief executive Alastair Mackintosh to release Hodgson.
The Echo reports he was always the frontrunner for the job, despite interest from former manager Kenny Dalglish.
Other names included former Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini and Galatasary's Frank Rijkaard.
The Liverpool post will be Hodgson's 16th managerial position in a career that has spanned almost 35 years.
He began managing at Swedish side Halmstads in 1976 before moving to other clubs including Inter Milan.
His first job in the Premier League was with Blackburn in 1997, when the side finished 6th in his first season and qualified for the UEFA cup.
But his second season in charge did not go to plan and he was sacked.
More foreign managerial roles followed until December 2007 when Hodgson was the surprise appointment at Fulham.
He had a difficult start, with the side picking up nine points from his first 13 league games.
But a run of 12 points from the last five games of the season secured their survival in the Premier League on the last day of the season.
The following season Fulham finished in 7th place and ensured qualification for the UEFA Europa League.
In the 2009-10 season Hodgson enjoyed an impressive run in the Europa League, taking Fulham to the final where they lost 2-1 to Athletico Madrid.
The news of his appointment has been met with mixed reactions from fans.
On Twitter Lainey_baby wrote: "Liverpool's new manager Roy Hodgson woo hoo. Come d pool."
But knricketritt wrote: "I urge all Liverpool fans to get behind Roy, Lord knows he'll need it."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290736/Roy-Hodgson-agrees-3m-year-deal-new-Liverpool-manager.html?ITO=1490 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290736/Roy-Hodgson-agrees-3m-year-deal-new-Liverpool-manager.html?ITO=1490)
Roy Hodgson agrees £3m-a-year deal to become new Liverpool manager
Roy Hodgson will be named Liverpool manager today after agreeing a two-year deal to replace Rafa Benitez.
Anfield bosses have ended a month-long search for Benitez's successor after assessing a short-list that also included Manuel Pellegrini and Didier Deschamps.
Hodgson's experience and recent track record at Fulham gave him a decisive edge, and he will begin his Anfield reign with immediate effect on a two-year deal worth around £3million a year. Fulham will receive around £2.5m in compensation.
The 62-year old will bring assistant-manager and goalkeeping coach Mike Kelly with him to Anfield and will waste no time trying to persuade Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to stay put.
Gerrard is a leading target for the Spanish club along with Chelsea left back Ashley Cole. Real director general Jorge intend to bring in two more players, following the arrival of Argentina winger Angel di Maria from Benfica in a £20million deal.
Alan Curbishley has been installed as the clear favourite to replace Hodgson as manager of Fulham. The former Charlton and West Ham boss is on a short list at Craven Cottage which also includes Sven Goran Eriksson and Mark Hughes.
Former England manager Eriksson, who is a free agent after standing down as Ivory Coast coach, is aware of Fulham's interest and would be tempted by a return to the Premier League. Hughes has rejected the chance of a lucrative contract with Dubai team Al Ahli.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290736/Roy-Hodgson-agrees-3m-year-deal-new-Liverpool-manager.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0sJmMA74n (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290736/Roy-Hodgson-agrees-3m-year-deal-new-Liverpool-manager.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0sJmMA74n)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/30/liverpool-roy-hodgson-new-manager? (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/30/liverpool-roy-hodgson-new-manager?)
Roy Hodgson set to be confirmed as Liverpool's new manager
• Anfield club happy to pay Fulham £2m compensation
• Hodgson also touted among candidates for England job
Liverpool are on the verge of naming Roy Hodgson as their new manager.
The 62-year-old has been the frontrunner to replace Rafael Benítez as Liverpool manager since the Spaniard accepted a £6m severance pay-off to leave the club earlier this month. The Fulham manager also has admirers within the Football Association and has been touted among the leading candidates to succeed Fabio Capello following England's dismal failure at the World Cup.
Hodgson has long coveted the England manager's job but, despite the possibility of the vacancy arising within a fortnight, he looks set to be confirmed as Liverpool's new manager possibly as early as today.
Negotiations between Anfield officials and the former Internazionale coach have advanced significantly since Hodgson's return from commentary duties in South Africa, to the extent that only the specifics of his Liverpool contract have now to be resolved. Liverpool are happy to meet the £2.5m compensation fee payable to Fulham under the terms of Hodgson's 12-month rolling contract at Craven Cottage.
Liverpool are confident the uncertainty over the club's ownership and the future of their leading players has not diminished Hodgson's desire to remain in club football at Anfield. Liverpool, who have not qualified for next season's Champions League due to a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League last term, had ideally wanted Benítez's successor in place before their players return for pre-season training. The first batch of Liverpool players report back tomorrow, a second group are scheduled to return on Monday and their World Cup contingent will start pre-season training at staggered times throughout July depending on their nation's progress in South Africa. The club's assistant manager, Sammy Lee, will be at the helm in the event of their managerial search being prolonged.
As well as Hodgson, the former Real Madrid and Villarreal coach, Manuel Pellegrini, and Marseille coach Didier Deschamps have all been linked with the Liverpool vacancy. Club legend Kenny Dalglish, who has been involved in the managerial search alongside Liverpool's managing director, Christian Purslow, made it known that he wanted the job in the absence of better qualified candidates. However, the Liverpool board wanted a manager who has been working in the game.
Deschamps, whose presence on the Liverpool short-list was revealed last week by the Marseille president, Jean-Claude Dassier, today signed a one-year extension to his contract with the French champions. "After the season that we have experienced there is still work to do," said Deschamps, who is now under contract at Stade Vélodrome until 2012. "A great club asked me. I am very flattered but if I ask for respect from my players the least I can do is to be comparable in my commitment to the club. I owe it to the OM."
It is unknown whether Liverpool have offered Hodgson a short-term contract given the public declaration from Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the club's deeply unpopular co-owners, to sell the club once their asking price is met.
http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-boss-hodgson-under-pressure-take-liverpool-job-941311? (http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-boss-hodgson-under-pressure-take-liverpool-job-941311?)
Fulham boss Hodgson under pressure to take Liverpool job
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is under pressure to make a decision about his future.
The London Evening Standard says Hodgson must decide whether take the Liverpool manager's job or watch developments at the Football Association regarding Fabio Capello's future as England coach.
The majority of Premier League clubs return to training next week and Liverpool are pressing for an answer from the Fulham manager.
Influential members of the FA also favour Hodgson to take over from Capello if the Italian is sacked.
The situation at Anfield, where the club are looking to cut costs next season and are prepared to sell both Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres, may influence his decision.
At 62, Hodgson may feel that the England job has come at the right time for him, rather than accept the day-to-day challenge of Liverpool.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/7862336/Roy-Hodgson-seeking-cash-guarantee-before-he-considers-joining-Liverpool.html? (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/7862336/Roy-Hodgson-seeking-cash-guarantee-before-he-considers-joining-Liverpool.html?)
Roy Hodgson seeking cash guarantee before he considers joining Liverpool
Liverpool are understood to be extremely close to agreeing terms with Roy Hodgson to become their new manager. However Hodgson is still seeking assurances from the club's owners over what proportion of funds from player sales will be made available to strengthen the squad.
On Tuesday night, Liverpool agreed a compensation package with Fulham, who have been seeking £2.5 million to release the 62-year-old from his contract, and talks continued to progress positively.
Hodgson is understood to have one or two issues that he wants to resolve before he signs a contract at Anfield although it is still hoped he will be presented as Rafael Benitez's successor by the end of this week. It's not thought Hodgson's demands are prohibitive.
If Hodgson does move then it will end a long process with Liverpool have initially sought permission to speak to him four weeks ago. Fulham were reluctant to allow that while it also appeared the Anfield club were looking at other candidates.
Liverpool are believed to have around £15 million set aside to bolster a squad which finished a disappointing seventh in the Premier League last season, though club sources admit that will be reduced by whatever compensation is paid to Fulham.
Though Anfield's financial straits preclude any increase on that figure, Hodgson is thought to be concerned at the prospect of losing several of Liverpool's most valuable assets and not being handed the finances to boost his resources.
Should he take over at Anfield, his first task is likely to be rubber-stamping Yossi Benayoun's £5.5 million switch to Chelsea, while Javier Mascherano is expected to depart.
Doubts continue to linger over the futures of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, too. Though reports that Real Madrid have lodged a £20 million offer for the Liverpool and England captain are believed to be premature, the Spanish side's new manager, Jose Mourinho, is a known admirer of the 30-year-old.
Gerrard, like Torres, is concerned that the continuing doubts over Liverpool's owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, may compromise the club's ability to compete on and off the field and, while he has not yet made a decision on where he will play next season, he is known to be considering his future.
His strike partner, meanwhile, is the subject of concerted interest from Chelsea, while the new Barcelona president, Sandro Rosell, has also made it clear he would like to tempt the Spanish international back to his homeland, though any such deal would be dependent on the sale of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Liverpool's senior players have been kept informed of developments in the club's search for Benitez's replacement and have raised no objections to the appointment of the Fulham manager, but Hodgson is nevertheless likely to seek talks with Gerrard and Torres in a bid to keep them on Merseyside.
Should either choose to leave, though, he does not wish to suffer a repeat of Benitez's final summer at Liverpool, when the Spaniard discovered he had far less money to spend than he had previously thought.
The former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has emerged as Hodgson's most likely replacement at Craven Cottage should he accept Liverpool's offer.
Other candidates include Tony Mowbray. Mark Hughes, who has also been linked to the job, turned down an approach from the Dubai club Al Ahli to become their manager on Tuesday.
http://www.lfconline.com/news/tmnw/hodgson_to_be_confirmed_later_today_534181/index.shtml? (http://www.lfconline.com/news/tmnw/hodgson_to_be_confirmed_later_today_534181/index.shtml?)
Hodgson to be confirmed later today
Roy Hodgson will be named the new Liverpool manager after agreeing terms with the club.
According to The Guardian:
Negotiations between Anfield officials and the former Internazionale coach have advanced significantly since Hodgson's return from commentary duties in South Africa, to the extent that only the specifics of his Liverpool contract have now to be resolved. Liverpool are happy to meet the £2.5m compensation fee payable to Fulham under the terms of Hodgson's 12-month rolling contract at Craven Cottage.
As well as Hodgson, the former Real Madrid and Villarreal coach, Manuel Pellegrini, and Marseille coach Didier Deschamps have all been linked with the Liverpool vacancy. Club legend Kenny Dalglish, who has been involved in the managerial search alongside Liverpool's managing director, Christian Purslow, made it known that he wanted the job in the absence of better qualified candidates. However, the Liverpool board wanted a manager who has been working in the game.
Deschamps, whose presence on the Liverpool short-list was revealed last week by the Marseille president, Jean-Claude Dassier, today signed a one-year extension to his contract with the French champions. "After the season that we have experienced there is still work to do," said Deschamps, who is now under contract at Stade Vélodrome until 2012. "A great club asked me. I am very flattered but if I ask for respect from my players the least I can do is to be comparable in my commitment to the club. I owe it to the OM."
It is unknown whether Liverpool have offered Hodgson a short-term contract given the public declaration from Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the club's deeply unpopular co-owners, to sell the club once their asking price is met.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/0630/hodgsonr_liverpool.html? (http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/0630/hodgsonr_liverpool.html?)
Hodgson to be appointed Liverpool boss today
Roy Hodgson will be named Liverpool manager later today, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The newspaper claims the Reds have agreed a compensation package 'in the region of £2million' with Fulham for the 62-year-old's release.
Hodgson is reportedly due on Merseyside to complete the formalities of the deal which will see him succeed Rafael Benitez, whose six-year spell at Anfield was ended by mutual consent earlier this month after a disappointing season.
Liverpool have remained tight-lipped regarding developments in the search for Benitez's replacement, leaving numerous names to be linked with the post.
Former Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, now an Academy ambassador at the club, was tasked with assisting managing director Christian Purslow in identifying the right man before emerging as a serious candidate for a second stint at the helm.
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill, Marseille coach Didier Deschamps, Galatasaray's Frank Rijkaard and former Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini were among those also talked about, but Hodgson was widely believed to be the number one contender.
The Fulham manager's stock has risen sharply since guiding the unfancied Cottagers to the final of the Europa League last season - beating Juventus along the way.
A seventh-place finish in the 2008/09 Premier League campaign also represented uncharted territory, and Hodgson excelled in the league once again last term as he kept Fulham comfortably in mid-table throughout.
He was named manager of the year by the League Managers Association in 2009/10.
Hodgson started out in management in 1976 with Swedish side Halmstad and also counts Bristol City, Inter Milan and Blackburn among his former clubs.
He has also managed at international level with Switzerland, Finland and United Arab Emirates.
Quote from: WhiteJC on June 30, 2010, 08:16:51 AM
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/7862336/Roy-Hodgson-seeking-cash-guarantee-before-he-considers-joining-Liverpool.html? (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/7862336/Roy-Hodgson-seeking-cash-guarantee-before-he-considers-joining-Liverpool.html?)
Roy Hodgson seeking cash guarantee before he considers joining Liverpool
Liverpool are understood to be extremely close to agreeing terms with Roy Hodgson to become their new manager. However Hodgson is still seeking assurances from the club's owners over what proportion of funds from player sales will be made available to strengthen the squad.
On Tuesday night, Liverpool agreed a compensation package with Fulham, who have been seeking £2.5 million to release the 62-year-old from his contract, and talks continued to progress positively.
Hodgson is understood to have one or two issues that he wants to resolve before he signs a contract at Anfield although it is still hoped he will be presented as Rafael Benitez's successor by the end of this week. It's not thought Hodgson's demands are prohibitive.
If Hodgson does move then it will end a long process with Liverpool have initially sought permission to speak to him four weeks ago. Fulham were reluctant to allow that while it also appeared the Anfield club were looking at other candidates.
Liverpool are believed to have around £15 million set aside to bolster a squad which finished a disappointing seventh in the Premier League last season, though club sources admit that will be reduced by whatever compensation is paid to Fulham.
Though Anfield's financial straits preclude any increase on that figure, Hodgson is thought to be concerned at the prospect of losing several of Liverpool's most valuable assets and not being handed the finances to boost his resources.
Should he take over at Anfield, his first task is likely to be rubber-stamping Yossi Benayoun's £5.5 million switch to the dark side, while Javier Mascherano is expected to depart.
Doubts continue to linger over the futures of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, too. Though reports that Real Madrid have lodged a £20 million offer for the Liverpool and England captain are believed to be premature, the Spanish side's new manager, Jose Mourinho, is a known admirer of the 30-year-old.
Gerrard, like Torres, is concerned that the continuing doubts over Liverpool's owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, may compromise the club's ability to compete on and off the field and, while he has not yet made a decision on where he will play next season, he is known to be considering his future.
His strike partner, meanwhile, is the subject of concerted interest from the dark side, while the new Barcelona president, Sandro Rosell, has also made it clear he would like to tempt the Spanish international back to his homeland, though any such deal would be dependent on the sale of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Liverpool's senior players have been kept informed of developments in the club's search for Benitez's replacement and have raised no objections to the appointment of the Fulham manager, but Hodgson is nevertheless likely to seek talks with Gerrard and Torres in a bid to keep them on Merseyside.
Should either choose to leave, though, he does not wish to suffer a repeat of Benitez's final summer at Liverpool, when the Spaniard discovered he had far less money to spend than he had previously thought.
The former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has emerged as Hodgson's most likely replacement at Craven Cottage should he accept Liverpool's offer.
Other candidates include Tony Mowbray. Mark Hughes, who has also been linked to the job, turned down an approach from the Dubai club Al Ahli to become their manager on Tuesday.
How many times do we have to read the same sh!t over and over again? Nothing against you WhiteJC, I love and appreciate what you do.
http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8671_6238196,00.html? (http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8671_6238196,00.html?)
HODGSON ON HIS WAY...AND ERIKSSON TO TAKE HIS PLACE?
The starting point to all of today's Gossipy proceedings is the widespread expectation that Roy Hodgson will be appointed as Liverpool's next manager in the very near future and possibly as soon as today.
The general claim is that he will sign a two-year deal worth £6m.
There's been very little word until now speculating about the identity of Fulham's new manager, but the Mail reckons that Alan Curbishley - very much the new Roy Evans - 'has been installed as the clear favourite to replace Hodgson as manager of Fulham. The former Charlton and West Ham boss is on a short list at Craven Cottage which also includes Sven Goran Eriksson and Mark Hughes.'
The Telegraph, on the other hand, is putting Eriksson at the top of their tree.
'It is felt that Eriksson's success, particularly in Italian football, and experience managing three international teams, offers better credentials. The only potential stumbling block could be Eriksson's wage demands.'
HANGELAND TO FOLLOW WOY
Back to Liverpool and their new manager for a moment because The Times reckons that Hodgson 'will make Brede Hangeland his first transfer target'.
The paper claims to be in the know that 'Liverpool have earmarked the Norway defender to partner Martin Skrtel next season with Jamie Carragher, 32, operating as experienced cover. The deal would need to be funded by player sales'.
Hmm. Not the line that Liverpool fans - or Hodgson, presumably - will want to read.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_6238210,00.html? (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_6238210,00.html?)
Hodgson set for Reds - report
Fulham boss expected at Anfield on Wednesday
Widespread reports indicate that Roy Hodgson will be named as the new manager of Liverpool on Wednesday.
It is claimed that the Reds have agreed a compensation package with Fulham for the 62-year-old's release and it has been speculated that the Craven Cottage club will be paid £2million.
Hodgson is reportedly due on Merseyside to complete the formalities of the deal on Wednesday morning.
The former Inter Milan boss would therefore succeed Rafa Benitez, whose six-year spell at Anfield was ended by mutual consent after a disappointing season and he has since taken over at Giuseppe Meazza.
Liverpool have remained tight-lipped regarding developments in the search for Benitez's replacement, leaving numerous names to be linked with the post.
Former Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, now an Academy ambassador at the club, was tasked with assisting managing director Christian Purslow in identifying the right man before emerging as a serious candidate for a second stint at the helm.
Monumental task
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill, Marseille coach Didier Deschamps, Galatasaray's Frank Rijkaard and former Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini were among those also talked about, but Hodgson was widely believed to be the No.1 contender.
The Fulham manager's stock has risen sharply since guiding the Cottagers to the final of the Europa League last season, beating Juventus along the way, while Liverpool lost to eventual champions Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals.
A seventh-placed finish in the 2008/09 Premier League campaign also represented uncharted territory, and Hodgson excelled in the league once again last season as he kept Fulham comfortably in mid-table.
He was named manager of the year by the League Managers Association in 2009/10, but he will face a monumental task in restoring fortunes at a cash-strapped Anfield after Liverpool finished seventh in the Premier League.
Reds co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks also want to sell the club to leave transfer funds in short supply for Hodgson, who will need to ensure Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres stay on Merseyside.
Hodgson started out in management in 1976 with Swedish side Halmstad and also counts Bristol City and Blackburn among his former clubs.
He has also managed at international level with Switzerland, Finland and United Arab Emirates.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-West-Brom-beat-Fulham-to-Frederic-Piquionne-article502875.html (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-West-Brom-beat-Fulham-to-Frederic-Piquionne-article502875.html)
West Brom beat Fulham to Piquionne
West Brom are set for talks with Frederic Piquionne today after Lyon accepted a £1million-plus offer.
The striker is due to fly in to meet Baggies boss Roberto Di Matteo after the French club agreed a fee.
Fulham were to make a move for Piquionne but uncertainty over Roy Hodgson has cost them their place in the chase.
Albion are still to thrash out the wages for the player who spent last season on loan at Portsmouth.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Birmingham-City-offer-6million-for-Fulham-s-Bobby-Zamora-article502873.html (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Birmingham-City-offer-6million-for-Fulham-s-Bobby-Zamora-article502873.html)
Birmingham offer £6m for Zamora
Birmingham City last night slapped in a £6million bid for Fulham striker Bobby Zamora.
MirrorFootball revealed on May 14 Blues would go for Zamora and his team-mate Paul Konchesky.
Zamora, 29, has been City boss Alex McLeish's No.1 target all summer to bolster his attack despite signing Serbian Nikola Zigic.
Big Eck's bid was rejected by Fulham, who want to tie their prized asset to a new long-term contract.
But Birmingham are offering a four-year contract worth around £50,000-a-week and will go back with an improved offer.
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Marcello-Lippi-in-late-Liverpool-link-although-Roy-Hodgson-remains-favourite-to-take-job-article502365.html (http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Marcello-Lippi-in-late-Liverpool-link-although-Roy-Hodgson-remains-favourite-to-take-job-article502365.html)
Lippi in late Liverpool link
Marcello Lippi has emerged as an 11th hour contender to take the Liverpool job - despite Roy Hodgson being on the point of agreeing to take the Anfield hot-seat.
Reports from Italy suggest the former Azzuri coach, whose team went out of the World Cup in miserable style last week, has become the Reds' fall-back position should anything go wrong with their move for Hodgson.
Fulham's manager is still expected to make the switch from Craven Cottage as early as Thursday and work in tandem with his friend Kenny Dalglish.
But with Fabio Capello's position as England manager now in serious jeopardy, the Premier League giants see Lippi as their top target in case Hodgson is persuaded to take the international job,
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/June/HangelandNewSeason.aspx? (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/June/HangelandNewSeason.aspx?)
A New Campaign
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Players/hangeland/clapping1.jpg)
With the start of pre-season training fast approaching, attentions now turn to the forthcoming Barclays Premier League campaign following a truly historic 2009/10 season.
Whilst the memories of Fulham's numerous European victories are still fresh in the mind, defender Brede Hangeland is looking ahead to the new season with a very measured attitude.
"We've had two good seasons now and I think it's important to keep our feet on the ground and stay modest," Hangeland told fulhamfc.com. "If we can try to repeat what we achieved last season and the season before that - it would be good. But we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves.
"We played an awful lot of games last season, which was a challenge in itself and we not only played all of those games but also picked up some good results along the way. It was the most physically demanding season of my career.
"When the games come thick and fast like they did last season, it's basically about staying on top of any injuries or niggles as best you can and concentrating on your recovery every day. We had only a few days in-between games so it was a challenge in that respect but I think we did well and the medical staff were brilliant all season.
"It felt like I was playing through the pain barrier all the time. It's harder to get rid of those little knocks and injuries when you play all the time but I think we coped well. You're in football to play the games so you'll never hear me complaining about the number of games."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/June/HangelandNewSeason.aspx?#ixzz0sKEndpkk (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/June/HangelandNewSeason.aspx?#ixzz0sKEndpkk)
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/30/roy-hodgson-is-the-new-liverpool-fc-manager-100252-26753865/? (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/30/roy-hodgson-is-the-new-liverpool-fc-manager-100252-26753865/?)
Roy Hodgson is the new Liverpool FC manager
ROY HODGSON will be officially named Liverpool FC's new manager today (Wednesday).
The 62-year-old is due on Merseyside to complete the formalities of signing a contract after the Reds agreed a compensation package in the region of £2million with Fulham for his release.
Cordial negotiations have been ongoing in the past 72 hours between Liverpool's Managing Director Christian Purslow and Fulham Chief Executive Alastair Mackintosh and they have now reached a successful conclusion.
Though Liverpool – who have remained tight-lipped throughout their search to replace Rafa Benitez – were linked with a clutch of names, Hodgson was always the number one candidate.
Other names in the frame included former Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini, Galatasary's Frank Rijkaard and Didier Deschamps of Marseille, while Kenny Dalglish also made it clear he was desperate to take the job on.
Dalglish had initially been named as part of the recruitment process but he was desperate to have a second crack at the post he occupied between 1985 and 1991 when he felt his claims were as strong as the other candidates.
The board, though, were anxious to pursue Hodgson and Liverpool will be his 16th job in a managerial career that has spanned almost 35 years.
His first post was with Swedish side Halmstads in 1976 and he enjoyed instant success, leading them to two Swedish titles; he would later coach Malmo after a brief stint with Bristol City.
Success in charge of the Swiss national team led to him being appointed Inter Milan manager in 1995 and the highlight of his time at the San Siro was an appearance in the 1997 UEFA Cup final appearance, which they lost on penalties to Schalke 04.
Hodgson's first crack at the Premier League came later that year, when he took over at Blackburn, but things did not go according to plan at Ewood Park – despite qualifying for Europe, he was sacked in December 1998.
Stints with Udinese, the United Arab Emirates, Viking Stavanger and Finland followed before Fulham turned to him in December 2007 and he successfully led their battle to avoid the drop, which they did thanks to a last day with at Portsmouth.
After that, his time at Craven Cottage went from strength to strength and he enhanced his reputation while transforming Fulham's fortunes, guiding them to their highest Premier League finish and an appearance in the Europa League final.
Now he has a fresh challenge and Hodgson, the LMA's current Manager of the Year, will meet those Liverpool players who have not been at the World Cup tomorrow when they return for pre-season training.
It had been mooted that Hodgson, who is expected to bring his trusted assistant Mike Kelly with him to Anfield, would be favourite to become England manager if the Football Association decided to sack Fabio Capello.
However, it is understood the delay in Hodgson being appointed to his new role had nothing to do with him waiting to see what happened with England.
One of Hodgson's first jobs at Anfield will be to ratify Yossi Benayoun's move to Chelsea after the clubs agreed a fee in the region of £6m for the Israeli midfielder.
http://www.clubcall.com/liverpool/hodgson-wants-fulham-duo-1074195.html? (http://www.clubcall.com/liverpool/hodgson-wants-fulham-duo-1074195.html?)
Hodgson wants Fulham duo
Roy Hodgson's top target is understood to be Fulham defender Brede Hangeland after he is confirmed as Liverpool boss today.
The Anfield club agreed a compensation package with Hodgson's current club late last night and will pay around £2million to secure his services for the next two seasons.
The 62-year-old will bring his current number two and goalkeeping coach Mike Kelly with him from Craven Cottage, but after he has dealt with trying to persuade star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to stay next season, his priority will be the signing of Hangeland.
The Norwegian was a rock at the back for Hodgson at Fulham for the last two seasons, having previously played for him at Viking Stavanger, and is highly regarded by Arsenal.
The 29-year-old signed a new contract at Fulham last season to fend off the Gunners' interest and it could cost as much as £7million to bring him to Anfield.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6238510,00.html? (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6238510,00.html?)
Blues fail in Zamora bid
Fulham reject offer for star striker
Skysports.com understands Fulham have rejected a bid from Birmingham for striker Bobby Zamora.
Birmingham have been chasing Zamora for the last few weeks as Alex McLeish looks to bolster his attacking options.
McLeish is keen to partner Zamora with recent signing Nikola Zigic in a new-look forward line next season after missing out Fabrizio Miccoli.
Zamora enjoyed his best season for Fulhamlast term and his performances saw him mentioned as a contender for the England squad for the World Cup.
Birmingham were hoping to capitalise on the uncertainty surrounding Roy Hodgson's future at Fulham by tabling an offer for Zamora.
However, Fulham have rebuffed their overtures and they are hoping to secure Zamora's future by tying him down to a new long-term deal.
It remains to be seen if Birmingham will come back with an improved offer for Zamora as they look to bring the former Tottenham and West Ham man to St Andrews.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/30/2002529/how-will-mark-schwarzer-solve-arsenals-goalkeeping-conundrum? (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/30/2002529/how-will-mark-schwarzer-solve-arsenals-goalkeeping-conundrum?)
Debate: How will Mark Schwarzer solve Arsenal's goalkeeping conundrum?
Wenger has interesting choices to make among his shot-stoppers
The news that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is about to bring an experienced goalkeeper to the Emirates in the shape of Fulham and Australia shot-stopper Mark Schwarzer will be greeted with a mixture of relief and curiosity by the majority of Gunners fans.
Probably all of them would agree that the goalkeeping position was the team's most glaring weakness last season, and that addressing the issue should top Wenger's list of summer priorities.
Indeed, the holey trinity of Manuel Almunia, Lukasz Fabianski and Vito Mannone produced something of an unintended sitcom between the Arsenal posts, undermining the Gunners' efforts to end their trophy drought. Given that a shaky 'keeper infects his back four with a collective unease, the aptly-dubbed 'Three Stooges' were central to Arsenal's defensive failings in 2009-10.
So how will the arrival of Schwarzer change things? Leaving aside Wenger's apparent willingness to disregard his own policy of offering only one-year contracts to players over 30, the 6ft 4½in Aussie, who turns 38 in October, will bring physical stature and a solid reputation to the ranks, and give the manager the option of priceless experience in a key position for the first time since Jens Lehmann lost the plot (or, for those who were never wholly convinced by the German, since David Seaman left the club seven years ago).
Schwarzer's experience includes World Cups (past and present), lengthy runs in Europe's second-tier club competition, and most valuably of all, approaching 400 appearances in the Premier League for Middlesbrough and Fulham. But how will Wenger deploy him?
Pole position?
At first glance, Schwarzer's arrival spells bad news for Manuel Almunia and good news for Wojciech Szczesny, the 20-year-old Pole who is widely regarded as by far the best goalkeeping prospect at Ashburton Grove, and Arsenal's future No.1.
He spent much of last season on loan at Brentford, significantly enhancing a growing reputation. Szczesny's potential is such that he played top-flight Polish football for Legia Warsaw when he was only 15, and despite his youth he is thought to have the authority, reflexes and temperament to make the Arsenal goalkeeping berth his own in due course and emulate his father, Maciej, who kept goal for Poland.
Adios Manuel?
Before then though, Wenger has some interesting choices to make. Will Schwarzer walk straight into the first team next season, deposing Almunia (and possibly taking his squad number)?
There would be little sympathy for the Spaniard if that happens. He has after all been given ample opportunity to assert himself and command the jersey, but has not done so with any great conviction.
There have been good performances, and some great saves, including from penalties; but too little consistency and some high-profile errors that have proved costly.
You have to assume that Schwarzer arriving will probably see Almunia, 33, departing sooner rather than later as it's a clear signal Wenger is not convinced by the Spaniard, much as Lehmann famously never was.
Alternatively, Wenger could be signing Schwarzer to put competitive pressure on Almunia in the hope that it will raise his game; but surely Schwarzer will rightly expect to be first choice, at least initially, leaving Almunia to ponder his future – or be offloaded.
Will Lukasz ever be fab?
Lukasz Fabianski, 25, had the most miserable time of any of the Three Stooges last season. He always seemed like an accident waiting to happen, and too often it did.
Yet Fabianski, like Szczesny a Pole, was regularly and rigorously defended by Wenger, who insists that Fab will prove to be fab. At the moment, the Frenchman is in a distinct minority; but with backing like that from Le Boss, Fabianski looks set to continue his Arsenal adventure for a while longer.
Presumably Wenger feels that the presence of Schwarzer in the squad will benefit Fabianski, helping him iron out his weaknesses and spurring him on to better things.
In fairness, the Polish 'keeper's deficiencies seem more to do with temperament than technique; but a keeper who panics under pressure is a liability, pure and simple. So Schwarzer needs to be a good tutor if Fabianski is to justify Wenger's touching faith in him. And Schwarzer may indeed be given a coaching or mentoring role to help the younger keepers.
Mannone mission
Vito Mannone's position in the pecking order is particularly curious. He enjoyed a short-run in the first team last season when others were injured, and his finest hour yet as a Gunner came with a man-of-the-match performance against Fulham, when Schwarzer was at the other end.
He briefly kept out fit-again Almunia, but the Italian, 22, was jittery in several games and was clearly third choice over the course of the season. With Szczesny the rising star, Mannone's future claim on the No.1 spot is likely to be tenuous, unless Schwarzer can inspire him.
Five goalkeepers in the senior squad is probably one, possibly two too many, and with wages an issue, especially for a cautious economist like Wenger, something will have to give.
Personally I expect it to be Almunia. I think Wenger has decided Schwarzer will be the safer, more reliable option while the younger men continue their development. And does he really want two keepers in their thirties?
That will give Fabianski a further chance to prove himself a capable deputy. But Mannone may question his longer-term prospects. And Szczesny should see his path to the eventual No.1 spot becoming less cluttered, given Schwarzer's age and Almunia's probable departure.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2890/world-cup-2010/2010/06/30/2002647/graham-taylor-believes-fa-must-appoint-roy-hodgson-as? (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2890/world-cup-2010/2010/06/30/2002647/graham-taylor-believes-fa-must-appoint-roy-hodgson-as?)
Graham Taylor believes FA must appoint Roy Hodgson as England manager
Young players must come into team as well...
Former England manager Graham Taylor can foresee a nightmare scenario where the nation wins the right to host the 2018 World Cup and then the team woefully underperform to the country's embarrassment.
He feels that action must be taken quickly to address the issues which hampered the Three Lions in South Africa.
Taylor's solution is to make sure that young players are trusted in the national side and to make sure that Roy Hodgson is appointed manager.
"My solution would be asking Roy Hodgson to take over on the proviso that he buys into the vision. Liverpool might have other ideas," the former Watford and Aston Villa gaffer told The Daily Express.
"Our only chance of winning the World Cup again is in 2018 and we have to do exactly what Germany have been doing, and did so well against us in Bloemfontein last Sunday.
"They recognised they have good, young but inexperienced players and fast-tracked them into the team. Mesut Ozil is one and, although England gave him the freedom of the pitch, he was exceptional.
"Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made a mistake for England's goal, but they have already said he is not quite ready, that he will make mistakes but that he will be the No.1 for a long time.
"We have to do likewise. Joe Hart must come into the team straight away, for one, and I'm told England's Under-17s are the best passing side the country has produced. Let's get them involved now."
Taylor also believes that the FA must make use of the experienced people involved in the English game who can help them.
"The other thing I would like the FA to do is put together a group of six to eight former football people who can help and assist with their knowledge," he added.
"Steve McClaren involved Terry Venables when he was England manager and while his reign didn't work out, he was trying to tap into the wealth of experience that Venables had. The principle has to be right.
"I left as England manager in November 1993 and only once since then has my opinion been sought by the powers that be over the national team's fortunes.
"I am not trying to talk myself into a job, but there are people out there who can, and would, help. If you explain to the public that this is what is happening and that there might be setbacks in the short term, then you will get them onside because they will see the merit in the masterplan."
The pressure will now build on Capello from fans, believes Taylor, who also identifies problems with England's preparations for the tournament.
"While in South Africa, I have met a lot of supporters and you can see that England's failure eats away at them. They have paid vast amounts of money to follow the team and they feel let down," he said.
"The flags in the stadiums here have not been from Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea, they have been from my home town, Scunthorpe, or lower league sides.
"They don't see Champions League football and so follow England. However, the rest of the country supports England only when there are no Premier League games.
"That is one of the big problems, and if Capello does stay on, he will have to deal with an enormous sense of pressure now.
"The build-up to the tournament was, I felt, a mess. I thought he should have named a 23-man squad, and put seven on standby, rather than naming 30 and leave people guessing whether they were in or out.
He added: "He was silly to get involved with the 'Capello Index' but how could he have expected that Wayne Rooney's four performances would be a million miles from what he has been producing for United?
"I believe that we do not produce what I call 'tournament players' in this country. Someone who can go away from his family for six weeks, suffer a disappointing result like the USA draw but have the confidence around the camp to shrug it off and do better next time.
"These are all factors the FA have to now weigh up. I actually think the decision to review England's performance over the next two weeks is a sensible one.
"But decisions have to be taken and acted upon. After every tournament failure we have the inquests and fall-out and nothing changes. Then we are surprised when things go wrong again."
BBC Sport - Football - FA wrong to leave Fabio Capello in limbo - Eriksson (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8775784.stm#id8770000/8775700/8775784-audio)
FA wrong to leave Fabio Capello in limbo - Eriksson
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson believes the Football Association should have made a quick decision on current boss Fabio Capello's future after the team's World Cup exit. The Swede also denied being approached by Fulham as a possible successor to Roy Hodgson.
http://www.tribalfootball.com/hodgson-appointment-greeted-warmly-liverpool-stars-942041? (http://www.tribalfootball.com/hodgson-appointment-greeted-warmly-liverpool-stars-942041?)
Hodgson appointment greeted warmly by Liverpool stars
Fulham captain Danny Murphy has told his former Liverpool teammates that Roy Hodgson will be good for them.
Liverpool will unveil Hodgson as their new manager today.
And his first task as Kop boss will be to resolve the Anfield futures of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
The Sun says Hodgson has the task of keeping star men Torres and Gerrard - as well as Javier Mascherano - on Merseyside.
Real Madrid have been pursuing England's World Cup skipper for months, yet have so far NOT made an official bid and are cooling in their interest.
And Hodgson received a boost after Gerrard's close pal and former Red Murphy gave the thumbs-up to the man he has played under at Craven Cottage for three years.
The appointment is also said to have got the green light from Torres and other senior players such as Jamie Carragher.
http://www.tribalfootball.com/dalglish-happy-stay-liverpool-alongside-hodgson-942031? (http://www.tribalfootball.com/dalglish-happy-stay-liverpool-alongside-hodgson-942031?)
Dalglish happy to stay with Liverpool alongside Hodgson
Kenny Dalglish is tipped to stay at Liverpool with Roy Hodgson set to be named new manager.
Liverpool will unveil departing Fulham boss Hodgson as their new manager today.
Despite claims that Dalglish was unhappy with the choice, Hodgson DOES have the full blessing of the Anfield legend, says The Sun.
In fact, Hodgson - who will take No 2 Mike Kelly as his right-hand man - could give Dalglish a bigger role in the new regime than his current ambassadorial duties.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6238548,00.html? (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6238548,00.html?)
Sven denies Fulham talk
Eriksson not been approached by Fulham but would love PL return
Former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson has denied speculation that he has been approached about the soon-to-be-vacant Fulham post.
Widespread reports suggest the present Cottagers incumbent Roy Hodgson is set to take over at Liverpool.
Eriksson has been linked with the Fulham post but he has "100 per cent" confirmed that no-one has contacted him about the job.
He said: "I have heard some rumours (about the Fulham job), there are absolutely no facts behind it.
"I think they have a brilliant manager and I do not know if he is staying or, as rumoured, going to Liverpool, but so far I have heard nothing."
But the former Manchester City boss admitted he would love to return to the Premier League following his spell as Ivory Coast manager for the World Cup.
He added: "It's a dream for every manager going into the Premier League, it is the best league in the world."
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/30/2002030/mark-schwarzer-set-for-arsenal-coaching-role-as-he-moves? (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/30/2002030/mark-schwarzer-set-for-arsenal-coaching-role-as-he-moves?)
Mark Schwarzer set for Arsenal coaching role as he moves closer to £4m switch from Fulham
Australian could combine No.1 role with mentoring young goalkeepers
Arsenal have offered Mark Schwarzer a coaching role as he prepares to complete a £4 million move to Emirates Stadium, Goal.com UK can reveal.
The Australia goalkeeper, 37, is set to be the new No.1 at the London club but there have also been discussions about him joining the Arsenal backroom staff to work with the club's other keepers.
Arsenal sources say long-time goalkeeping coach Gerry Peyton will still be at the helm when the club return to pre-season training next Monday despite a series of high profile blunders by first choice Manuel Almunia and his deputy Lukasz Fabianski in the closing months of last season.
Arsenal are ready to up their offer for Schwarzer to £4m, who has told Fulham that he wants to leave after two seasons at Craven Cottage. The possibility of a coaching role appeals to the Australian, who featured in all three of his country's group games at World Cup 2010, given that he is in the final stages of his playing career.
Wenger sees Schwarzer as the safe pair of hands he needs to steady what will be a new-look defence and also not impede the progress of the youngsters coming through the ranks.
Arsenal will listen to offers for Almunia but want to keep Fabianski, 25, and the club have high hopes for young keepers Vito Mannone, 22, and Wojciech Szczesny, 20.
Former Republic of Ireland keeper Peyton, 54, is held in high esteem by manager Arsene Wenger but is understood to have considered his position after seven years at the club because he feels his views are too often ignored by Wenger and his reputation has suffered as a result.
Peyton suffered from a hip injury last season and former Arsenal keeper Mart Poom, who works for the club on a part-time basis as the Irishman's assistant, took over many of his regular duties.
If Peyton stays at Emirates Stadium as full-time goalkeeping coach, Schwarzer could work alongside him.
http://www.anfieldroad.com/news/201006303725/no-matter-how-hard-we-try-hodgson-is-not-wanted-at-anfield.html/? (http://www.anfieldroad.com/news/201006303725/no-matter-how-hard-we-try-hodgson-is-not-wanted-at-anfield.html/?)
No matter how hard we try – Hodgson is not wanted at Anfield
Posted on June 30th, 2010 by Jim Boardman
The appointment of Roy Hodgson as Liverpool's new manager, after weeks of leaks from those senior sources that it's about to happen, will come as a massive disappointment to a large number of the club's supporters.
It was 50 years ago last December that Bill Shankly arrived at the club to begin what became a golden age for the club, and although not every manager since then has left the post with as much respect as they had when they started, every single one of them has been supported from day one.
Shanks was succeeded by Paisley, who made way for Joe Fagan, who handed the keys to the bootroom onto Kenny Dalglish. All of those men ended their time in charge with even more respect from supporters than they had when they arrived.
But even when that tradition of promoting from within came to an end, the supporters always greeted the next manager with respect and support. Whatever feelings fans had about them when they ended their time at the helm, Souness, Evans, Houllier and Benítez all started out with the backing of the Reds' passionate support.
That support is vital for any new manager. But that is just not going to happen with Roy Hodgson.
This isn't a threat and it isn't a call to fans to join together in not supporting the new manager. We all make our own choices on that one, and we all need to respect each other's choices. As fans we have to stop fighting – it's fine to disagree with each other, but not right to fall out about it. As we're fighting they're pillaging.
This is just a prediction. It's not a guess, it's a prediction based on general observation over the weeks of leaks and in particular views aired in the last 24 hours.
Some fans have made it clear he won't have their support. Maybe they'll calm down in a few days but only a naive out-of-touch banker with years of leveraged buyout experience and none at all in football would take that for granted. And calming down doesn't guarantee they'll give their support, it just means they may scale down their opposition.
Then there are the fans who have made it clear that ending the reign of the current regime and their management team will come before any support for a manager who proves just how much the club has let its standards slip in the three years since Tom Hicks invented "Man Ham" and George Gillett first lied to Liverpool supporters. Where did "Snoogy Doogy" go? Is it true he was sent to buy shovels and never came back?
Another large group of fans are those who have said that even though they didn't want him, they feel it's their duty to get behind him, or that they've no alternative, or that even though they aren't keen on the idea they are willing to give him a chance. In other words, their support is forced, based on guilt or a sense of duty. That kind of support usually starts to falter at the first conceded goal, let alone the first dropped points. By the time games are being lost the support has all but evaporated and the patience has run out. And of course that leads to more pressure, more dropped points, more despair.
The only genuine, unconditional, unforced support for the new boss seems to come from those most active in calling for the head of the last manager. The same people who wanted that manager sacked for only coming second in 2009 and used that as a starting point for judging him the following season know deep down that their pressure has brought this new manager onto the club. So deep down they told themselves he'd be a great replacement, told themselves to ignore his lack of major trophies and to ignore the fact he was sacked by Blackburn after taking them to the bottom of the Premier League. They wanted the last manager gone, and they really didn't care about what might happen next. They never cried out for a better manager, they weren't thinking that far ahead – they just wanted shut of the one they didn't like.
Obviously there are a lot of generalisations in those observations but they are genuine observations. Some of those who wanted the last manager out are even more devastated at the ultimate replacement than many of those who wanted the last manager to stay! But whether it's mild disappointment or seething anger at the appointment there's no getting away from the fact that it was a decision made against the wishes of the vast majority of the supporters. A recent Times poll gave Hodgson less than 7% of the votes for who the next boss should be, and that seems to be very indicative of opinion.
How people feel now and how they'll feel in a few months is obviously subject to change. But unless results are positive and performances exciting from day one there's a risk that fans will move rapidly towards vociferous opposition to the manager.
There will always be days when it doesn't go to plan despite the best efforts of all, days where players fail to follow simple instructions or had a crisis of confidence. All the planning in the world can't overcome bad luck and every manager makes signings he wishes he hadn't. If the fans respect a manager from the start, if they see that whatever the outcome that at least the required effort was put in, there'll be some leeway, some allowances. The hype from the Sky Sports pre-game scriptwriters will be ignored.
But to get that respect the manager has to be wanted in the first place and the majority of the supporters have to be more than just "willing to give him a try", or feeling as if they've been forced into showing their support; they have to be full of hope that this is the man with the experience to make it good again.
That hasn't happened on this occasion, instead of hope there's a sense of hopelessness, from countless supporters. Those supporters are trying to come to terms with the contempt the board has shown them.
People are asking why Benítez was sacked if the replacement the club had lined up was Roy Hodgson. People are asking why Hodgson is here when Kenny Dalglish felt he would be far better at the job than Hodgson.
People are asking why the club was willing to spend close to £9m on swapping Benítez for Hodgson. One comment seen yesterday compared swapping Benítez for Hodgson to swapping Torres for Heskey.
Although the vast majority of Liverpool fans don't see Hodgson as their first choice there is an even more worrying twist. The worry is that the feeling is mutual, that Hodgson doesn't see the Liverpool job as his first choice either. It's the England job he really wants and he's been on the record before to say as much, "I regard the job as the pinnacle of English football."
The impression he wants the England job more than the Liverpool job is not just based on the old quotes, or even the signs that maybe he was waiting until the FA made an announcement on Fabio Capello's future. Perhaps more will be revealed if the club actually schedule a press conference to unveil him, but so far the hierarchy have decided not to answer the questions put to them about the issue.
How popular Hodgson will be should those fears be realised doesn't need much thought. Some fans won't mind, but we all remember how Michael Owen was criticised heavily whenever it was implied he was putting his country before his club. To find out the next manager of this club was the same would rapidly and heavily cut down the numbers of fans willing to give Hodgson a try.
Some Liverpool fans do follow England but it's very much second – or much lower – in their hearts compared to LFC. Liverpool fans hear "St George" and don't think of the flags now discarded by the roadside in their thousands. Liverpool fans think of the place where Bill Shankly stood all those years ago to speak to his people. In fact St George's plateau is the place where thousands of Liverpool fans will gather this Sunday for Liverpool Football Club's very own Independence Day.
We want our club back. The owners have had long enough to sort out their mess and their damaging personal differences. They drafted Christian Purslow in last year but somehow he found a way of making the mess even worse. And now we've got Martin Broughton in place he seems content to leave Purslow to carry on as before, devaluing the club by the day.
Standard Chartered must be horrified at what they're about to be associated with. They officially become the club's main sponsor on Thursday, arriving at the time that discontent amongst supporters will be at its highest since the club was taken over. Alternative Liverpool shirts with a variation on the Standard Chartered name are already out. "Standards Compromised" is the message. The logo looks remarkably like the Standard Chartered logo, but on closer inspection it turns out to be a pair of snakes.
The club claim record sales for the new home shirt – but Standard Chartered will soon find that the alternative version of the shirt is popping up time and time again. Many of the places they thought they would see their name displayed will instead display the alternative version, a dig at the owners but a dig by association at the sponsors. They didn't pay all that money – whatever the amount might actually be when performance is taken into account – for negative publicity. But that's what they'll get, as protest after protest takes place during matches – not just at half time or afterwards.
Claims this week from two separate Liverpool FC supporters' forums this week that Christian Purslow had used lawyers to threaten them with some rather strong action should they not remove certain information suggests that the man now running the club is no longer interested in engaging the fans.
Those sites are run by people who would have responded just as quickly to a quiet word; in fact one of them had removed the information in any case, before the legal threats were received. The information is easily accessible to anyone with access to Google and ten minutes to spare, there's no need to pay extra to get it either, it's all available on free sites.
But that development and the release of the alternative shirts comes hot on the heels of the embarrassment FIFA official and South African authorities caused themselves for their heavy-handed approach to some "ambush marketing". Would anyone put it past the club to eject supporters wearing the new shirt?
The board were well aware of the opposition to Roy Hodgson yet persisted in their chase for him.
The owners have left the running of the club to Christian Purslow. Leaving someone in charge who refuses, point blank, to even listen to any advice (let alone take it) will always lead to problems.
Liverpool fans want that next league title and some trophies. That is why fans were calling for the last manager's head early on last season. That he eventually only finished seventh isn't why they wanted him gone. They wanted the league, thought they could have it after he'd finished second, then saw it go wrong.
But blaming Benítez for the club falling short is blaming the wrong person. If it's not, can we expect the league this season? Will we also win one of the other trophies? Nobody seriously expects that to happen, yet that was one of the main reasons Benítez was under pressure for the whole of that last season. If it was mainly the fault of Benítez last season, surely the same would apply to Hodgson?
Like it should have been last year, the finger of blame should be pointed first and foremost at the owners and also, very importantly, at the managing director. Purslow is paid very handsomely to run this club but the only football experience had before was as Chairman of the youth section of his local amateur side Corinthian Casuals. That's the youth section, not the whole club. As far as I know Corinthian Casuals of Surrey have nothing to do with the Corinthians side Tom Hicks was involved with some years before arriving at Anfield.
To win the league again and to keep being in contention for it this club needs to be run far better than it is now. That means it should be owned by an entity that has the means to see their investment through, obviously, but those owners also need to recognise the difference between say running a French property company or a chain of gyms and running one of the biggest and most popular football clubs in the world with almost 120 years of history and heritage behind it. Those owners need to see that football might be a business these days, but that it's still unlike any other business and so will not work well when run by, for example, a power-hungry and egotistical banker.
It doesn't matter who the current regime install as manager, although the appointment of Hodgson suggests they'll settle for mediocrity. What matters is that we fight for a new regime so that we can get a manager who is capable, and empowered, to start winning things for this club of ours.
With all due respect that manager isn't Roy Hodgson, and although we will wish him luck it will be impossible to look at him standing on the Anfield touchline without thinking about what his appointment really represents.
http://www.sportingintelligence.com/2010/06/30/sos-plan-for-anti-owner-protest-as-liverpool-get-ready-to-unveil-roy-hodgson-300604/? (http://www.sportingintelligence.com/2010/06/30/sos-plan-for-anti-owner-protest-as-liverpool-get-ready-to-unveil-roy-hodgson-300604/?)
SoS plan for anti-owner protest as Liverpool get ready to unveil Roy HodgsonBy Nick Harris
30 June 2010As Liverpool prepare for the official unveiling of Roy Hodgson as their new manager, the Spirit of Shankly fans group is calling on supporters to join a demonstration on Sunday (4 July, Independence Day), to "declare your independence" from the club's American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
SoS is calling on fans from around the world to print out an anti-Hicks and Gillett poster and take photographs of themselves at locations around the world. The pictures will be posted on the SoS website. The US owners are held responsible for Liverpool's meltdown, on and off the pitch, after making a string of promises about investment and a new stadium that they have failed to keep.
James Mckenna, spokesperson for SoS, said: "Spirit Of Shankly will be declaring their independence from Tom and George on the 4 July at St. George's Hall Plateau in Liverpool. Here is a chance for all fans across the world to join us in declaring their independence and saying Tom and George are Not Welcome Anywhere."
"We urge all those who can to attend the rally. But those who can't, you still have a voice and you can still speak out and make it known that this is our club, not theirs!"
An SoS statement adds: "Do you want to tell them that they are not welcome anywhere? We will be declaring our independence from Tom and George on 4 July , but for those that can't make it or even those who can, we want you to send out that message further, that it is not just those in Anfield or Liverpool that want Tom and George out, but many fans from right across the world.
"With a global fan base and many fans off on their summer holidays, let us show Tom and George that all of us want to shout out the words 'Tom and George – Not Welcome Anywhere.'
"Be it in Anfield, America or Australia; in front of a famous landmark, down at the supporters club or just at home. Take this chance to spread the message throughout the world, that they aren't welcome.
"All you need to do is print out the pdf and take a picture of it with yourself, your family, friends or your supporters' club where you live or where you are on holiday this summer. Please then send the picture to
[email protected] and we will upload it to a gallery on our website. All pictures will be displayed in our gallery."
http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/06/30/roy-hodgson-confirms-he-will-become-new-liverpool-boss-82029-26757526/? (http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/fulham-fc/2010/06/30/roy-hodgson-confirms-he-will-become-new-liverpool-boss-82029-26757526/?)
Roy Hodgson confirms he will become new Liverpool boss
ROY Hodgson this morning told friends he will become the next manager of Liverpool.
The 62-year-old Fulham boss has been favourite for the Anfield hotseat ever since Rafa Benitez left the Reds earlier this summer.
And the LMA manager of the year has confirmed he will be leaving Craven Cottage to move to Merseyside.
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/30/2002976/liverpool-legend-john-aldridge-new-boss-roy-hodgson-faces? (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/30/2002976/liverpool-legend-john-aldridge-new-boss-roy-hodgson-faces?)
Liverpool legend John Aldridge: New boss Roy Hodgson faces Bill Shankly-esque challenge to turn Liverpool around
Big challenge for Hodgson on the cards...
Former Liverpool hero John Aldridge has backed incoming manager Roy Hodgson to use all his experience to complete the "massive job" of turning his new club around.
Hodgson, 62, is expected to be named as the club's new supremo this week after Rafael Benitez left by mutual consent earlier in the summer. With the Reds spiralling into debt and finishing in a disappointing seventh place in the Premier League last season, the Fulham boss has plenty to do.
Aldridge starred on Merseyside in the late 1980s, grabbing 50 goals in 83 appearances before moving to Spain's Real Sociedad. Speaking to Sky Sports News, he insisted Liverpool had the right man in place to get the team back on track.
"He's got a massive job on his hands at Liverpool. I think this is the most important stage in Liverpool's history since Bill Shankly took over with what's happening off the field with the owners and the lack of stability at the club," Aldridge said.
"Something had to happen as soon as possible and you had to go in and test the situation about which players need to go out, what you've got to bring players in and who you can keep.
"That's very, very important as Javier Mascherano has been using the wild card about his wife and there's question marks about Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. They've got to be sorted out ASAP."
Aldridge added: "His experience is fantastic with the jobs he's done in Italy and Switzerland. A lot of people don't realise where he has been.
"He might have had a bad year or two at Blackburn Rovers, but when you've been in the game as long as he has, you are allowed a few mistakes."
The Club can confirm that Chris Buchtmann has today been transferred to FC Cologne.
Butchmann joined Fulham during the 2010 January transfer window on an 18 month contract and played a number of games for the Club's Development Squad.
The Club would like to wish Chris all the best for the future.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/June/BuchtmannDeparts.aspx#ixzz0sLgPmdo5 (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/June/BuchtmannDeparts.aspx#ixzz0sLgPmdo5)
http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/football-ealing/fulham-fc-ealing/2010/06/30/murphy-could-be-next-fulham-boss-64767-26759345/? (http://www.ealinggazette.co.uk/sport/football-ealing/fulham-fc-ealing/2010/06/30/murphy-could-be-next-fulham-boss-64767-26759345/?)
Murphy could be next Fulham boss
DANNY Murphy has emerged as an outside contender to become the next Fulham manager – once Roy Hodgson's departure to Liverpool is confirmed.
The midfielder was touted as a future boss by no less than Hodgson himself last season, and is already studying for his Uefa coaching licences.
The Whites have gone this route before when they appointed central defender and changing-room favourite Chris Coleman to the job in 2003.
Murphy would be expected to work with the more experienced Ray Lewington, and probably one other senior coach from outside the club.
But despite his inexperience, the former Liverpool, Tottenham and England international commands the respect of a squad that will need to focus on life after Hodgson just three days before they arrive back for training on Monday.
However, former Premiership bosses Alan Curbishley, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Mark Hughes head the bookies list to succeed Hodgson, who took Fulham to the Europa League final last season.
http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/hangeland-top-of-wanted-list-1074336.html? (http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/hangeland-top-of-wanted-list-1074336.html?)
Hangeland top of wanted list
Roy Hodgson's top target is understood to be Fulham defender Brede Hangeland after he is confirmed as Liverpool boss today.
The Anfield club agreed a compensation package with Hodgson's current club late last night and will pay around £2million to secure his services for the next two seasons.
The 62-year-old will take his current number two and goalkeeping coach Mike Kelly with him from Craven Cottage, but after he has dealt with trying to persuade star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to stay next season, his priority will be the signing of Hangeland.
The Norwegian was a rock at the back for Hodgson at Fulham for the last two seasons, having previously played for him at Viking Stavanger, and is highly regarded by Arsenal.
The 29-year-old signed a new contract at Fulham last season to fend off the Gunners' interest and it could cost as much as £7million to take him to Anfield.
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=203268 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=203268)
Fulham - Hodgson Gone!
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the England job, the tabloid press are very insistent that Roy Hodgson will be named as the new Liverpool manager.
In fact the news could well be, according to one tabloid, today whilst another reckons it`ll be inside the next forty-eight hours.
All, however, are insistent that Liverpool have agreed a compensation package with Fulham Football Club.
His potential appointment has, reputedly, met with the approval of the more talented Liverpool players and Roy is expected to take Mike Kelly as his number two.
All in all a bad time for Fulham Football Club and all we can ask ourselves is what have they got what we haven`t?
Well, Roy Hodgson for a start!!
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=203268#ixzz0sM4DDisb (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=203268#ixzz0sM4DDisb)
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=203266 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=203266)
Fulham - Birmingham Offer?
Who do they think they`re kidding?
It`s being reported that Birmingham City have had a £6 million deal turned down, by Fulham, for Bobby Zamora.
The deal is thought to have been a four year contract on circa £50,000 a week.
Now we thought we`d seen the last of Birmingham`s interest but apparently Alex McLeish is keen to continue the pursuit of a player that Fulham are desperately trying to tie to a new contract.
Shades of Hull City, last summer, all over again methinks!
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=203266#ixzz0sM4VETyA (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=203266#ixzz0sM4VETyA)
Abdeslam Ouaddou ( remember him ) has left Nancy after a dispute with the French outfit, putting a number of clubs on alert. Sunderland and Stoke are among those linked with the defender
