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Tuesday Fulham Stuff...(11/05/10)

Started by WhiteJC, May 11, 2010, 07:33:13 AM

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WhiteJC

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7706949/Fulhams-Roy-Hodgson-named-League-Managers-Association-manager-of-the-year.html
Fulham's Roy Hodgson named League Managers Association manager of the year
Fulham's Roy Hodgson has been named manager of the year by the League Managers Association.

Honoured: Fulham's Roy Hodgson has been named the League Managers Association manager of the year Photo: PA
Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsène Wenger and Harry Redknapp had led the call for Hodgson to be honoured and he was the overwhelming choice of his fellow managers.

Howard Wilkinson, the LMA chairman, said: "Since joining Fulham, Roy has transformed the club's fortunes. He initially saved them from the brink of relegation then took them to their highest ever league position last season.


"This year he has capitalised on that platform, achieving remarkable success in this season's Europa League. He is highly respected by the LMA members and also on an international level where he has worked his miracles in no fewer than seven countries. He is a great role model for all aspiring managers and coaches and is fully deserving of this recognition."

The LMA also honoured former England manager Steve McClaren, who took FC Twente to the Erdervisie in Holland, with the Special Merit Award.

The Barclays Premier League Manager of the Year was won by Spurs' Harry Redknapp, while Newcastle's Chris Hughton is the Coca-Cola Football League Championship Manager of the Year.

Norwich manager Paul Lambert and Rochdale's Keith Hill won the League 1 and League 2 awards respectively.

WhiteJC

http://football.uk.reuters.com/leagues/uefacup/news/2010/04/29/LDE63S2PE.php?rpc=401
Hodgson hails "magical" time at Fulham after Europa win


LONDON, April 29 (Reuters) - Roy Hodgson, who joined Fulham when they were fighting a Premier League relegation battle in December 2007, paid tribute to chairman Mohamed Al Fayed after his team clinched a Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.

Europa League

"The time at Fulham has been quite magical for me," the much-travelled manager told ITV after a 2-1 second-leg victory over Hamburg SV at Craven Cottage on the bank of the River Thames on Thursday.

"From the moment I came in I established an immediate rapport with the chairman who has been very good during my time here. He's given us the backing we need."

The former Inter Milan and Switzerland manager also thanked the London club's players and supporters after their 2-1 aggregate victory in the semi-finals.

"Tonight is a reward for the fans who have supported us so well over the last two years and it's certainly for all those really faithful Fulham fans who have seen some bad times through the years," said Hodgson.

"I know the players are never going to let me down. Football is an emotional game so in a semi-final they could be excused for losing their heads or discipline but they didn't do it tonight."

Just 13 years ago Fulham were in the fourth tier of English soccer.

Atletico also reached the May 12 final in Hamburg after beating Liverpool on away goals when their tie finished 2-2 on aggregate.

WhiteJC

http://football.uk.reuters.com/leagues/uefacup/news/2010/04/29/LDE63S2PO.php?rpc=401
Fulham find new heroes on memorable Europa night


LONDON, April 29 (Reuters) - Fulham have always been a club where old men talked fondly of the glory days long past but now a whole new generation have been given memories to last a lifetime after an extraordinary night at Craven Cottage.

Europa League

Space will have to be found on the walls of the Johnny Haynes Stand, alongside the black-and-white posters of the player who was "Mr. Fulham" for two decades from 1950, for the club's new heroes who took them into the Europa Cup final against Atletico Madrid on Thursday.

Simon Davies and Zoltan Gera, whose goals secured a 2-1 comeback win over Hamburg, will stand alongside past heroes such as Bobby Moore, England's World Cup-winning captain who took Fulham to the FA Cup final in 1975, and George Best, who treated the scarce-believing fans to the autumn of his career.

Davies and Gera struck in the second half of the semi-final second leg to give the west London club a 2-1 aggregate win and a first shot at European glory.

Under manager Roy Hodgson, the unfashionable but friendly club added the former European champions to an already impressive list of scalps.

Having begun their campaign against Lithuania's Vetra last July, Fulham eliminated holders Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and German champions Wolfsburg before beating Hamburg.

Again and again in this extraordinary run they looked dead and buried, not least when they trailed Juventus 4-1 on aggregate only to claim an astonishing 5-4 victory.

Fulham fans must have been thinking that the Juventus win would be the biggest memory of the season as Mladen Petric's brilliant 22nd-minute free kick put Hamburg in line for the May 12 final at their own ground.

With Fulham's leading striker Bobby Zamora unable to make any impact after needed an injection to overcome an Achilles problem, Hamburg looked comfortable and their shock decision to sack manager Bruno Labbadia on Monday began to look like a master stroke.

Fulham, however, have built up an enviable record in their short European experience. In their 15 home games before Thursday's clash they had 11 wins and four draws in the UEFA Cup, Intertoto Cup and Europa League.



RIVERSIDE HOME

Davies produced his own exquisite touch to equalise after 69 minutes and invigorate the home fans.

Shiny, new stadiums have their appeal but on such a night there is nothing to match a capacity crowd packed into a tight, Victorian-built ground like the riverside home of Fulham.

The deafening noise from the mass of fans just metres from the touchline turned the whole atmosphere and Fulham tore forward.

Hungarian forward Gera swivelled in the box to fire in the second goal seven minutes later and another roar went up.

Fulham still had to hang on in a tense finale but they did so with the calm control and application that has been Hodgson's career trademark.

When he arrived at the club two-and-a-half years ago they were staring relegation in the face and needed some last-day heroics to hang on to their Premier League status.

"The time at Fulham has been quite magical for me," Hodgson said. "I think we've made a major piece of history here tonight. That atmosphere is something I think we'll all remember for a long time.

"Tonight is a reward for the fans who have supported us so well over the last two years and it's certainly for all those really faithful Fulham fans who have seen some bad times through the years."

In 1996 Fulham ended up eight places from the bottom of the entire Football League but by last season they had achieved their best performance when they finished seventh in the Premier League.

That earned a place in the Europa League and the fans who set off for Vilnius last July could hardly have dared to dream where that journey would end.


WhiteJC

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=198349
Fulham - Sidwell a Plausible Target?
With it being common knowledge that Fulham wil be recruiting this summer, the name of Steve Sidwell seems to have become prominent in a leading red-top.

Sidwell who made his name at Reading before seeing his career stall with moves to, first, Chelsea and then Aston Villa, is ecxpected to leave Villa Park this summer.

With a home near London, obviously Fulham could be a convenient next stopping off point for a player that needs to resurect his career.

Would it be a good move for both parties?




Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=198349#ixzz0nbHUXKKp

WhiteJC

http://www.101greatgoals.com/having-got-this-far-fulham-must-believe-that-they-can-beat-atletico-madrid-in-the-europa-league-final/54956/
Having got this far, Fulham must believe that they can beat Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final


Fulham v Atletico Madrid, Premier League, May 12, 2010

Fulham 2.10; Draw 3.30; Atletico Madrid 3.50


Atletico Madrid and Fulham lock horns on Wednesday night in Hamburg as they battle to become the winners of the inaugural edition of the Europa League.

Fulham's passage to the final is the stuff dreams are made of. One of the more unfashionable clubs in London, the west Londoners have been living in the shadows of rivals Chelsea, Arsenal and even Tottenham for years now. But under Roy Hodgson, the toast of the media in England since negotiating the Cottagers' unbelievable route to the final, Fulham are on the brink of joining the big leagues as they aim to scoop the biggest prize in the club's history.

Quite simply, if you'd have lined up the likes of Roma, Basel, Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg in front of Fulham at the start of the season, only the most die-hard Cottager could have argued that the Premier Leaguers would advance all the way to the final. But now is not the time to reflect on the past - that can wait until Thursday morning - as Fulham's sole focus is to conjure up a game-plan that can upset Atletico in the showpiece final.

On Sunday at Arsenal, Fulham rung the changes and were duly thumped 4-nil by the Gunners. With the likes of Kagiso Dikgacoi, Bjorn Helge Riise, Erik Nevland and Stefano Okaka in the starting eleven, consensus opinion appears to have termed Fulham's line-up at the Emirates as a second-string XI who were almost beaten before they stepped out on the pitch.

Yet worryingly for the Cottagers will have been the glut of first-teamers who did play against the Gunners. In particular, few excuses could mask the horrible error from keeper Mark Schwarzer that gave away the opener to Andrei Arshavin. Similarly, Chris Baird was unable to pass off the blame for scoring an own goal, while Clint Dempsey (3.20 to score) and Jonathan Greening had poor performances ahead of the biggest match of their careers.

Also of major concern to the Cottagers is the prognosis on striker Bobby Zamora (7.00 to score first) ahead of the final. Zamora, Fulham's talisman this season with 16 goals and six assists in 41 matches, has been sidelined in recent weeks with an Achilles injury. While it is unlikely that 29-year-old Zamora will miss the biggest match of his life, it is also doubtful that the hitman will be on top form and Fulham could suffer as a result.

Rather than focus on single player participation though, where Roy Hodgson has been truly successful has been developing a "team first, individuals second" mentality. Accordingly, the experienced pros such as Danny Murphy and Damien Duff have been able to bond brilliantly with the likes of Brede Hangeland (11.00 to score), Dickson Etuhu and the exciting Zoltan Gera (3.50 to score) to form a well-oiled and effective unit that will prove highly competitive against the Rojiblancos.

While Fulham have stormed into the final on the back of a series of incredible and unlikely wins, Atletico appear to have stumbled into the final in a passage to the final has appeared far more subdued and seemingly fortunate.

At large the red and whites have had a miserable season, which kicked off in the worst possible manner with one win in their opening 11 league matches which saw former coach Abel Resino lose his job in October. Sanchez Flores was then installed and, though they remain a relatively lowly 9th in the league, their season has steadily improved at the back end of the campaign. That said, Atletico, with a run of three wins, three defeats and one draw heading into the final, have been notorious this season for being consistently inconsistent.

Much like Fulham, Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores rested a whole host of first teamers ahead of their last match at Sporting Gijon. Both leading striker Diego Forlan (5.50 to score first) and Kun Aguero (2.37 to score) were left on the sidelines, while midfielder Jose Antonio Reyes (3.75 to score) and Simao were both given the night off at the weekend.

While Atletico should have the attack refreshed them for Fulham, the problems for the Madridistas remain, as always, at the back. None of defenders Antonio Lopez, Mariano Pernia, Tomas Ujfalusi nor Alvaro Dominguez come highly recommended, although 19-year-old keeper David de Gea has proved to be somewhat of a revelation in his debut season in the first team.

Predicting who'll come out on top in the final is really difficult. Atletico, by historical rights, deserved to be labelled the front-runner, however something feels very wrong in making the Rojiblancos favourites. Fulham, on the other hand, have repeatedly defied the odds, and no-one would bet against them doing the same in their final match of the season.

Expect goals. Expect mistakes. And hopefully Fulham can come out lifting the trophy.

101gg predicts: Atletico Madrid 1 - Fulham 2 (9.42)


Fulham 2.10; Draw 3.30; Atletico Madrid 3.50

WhiteJC

http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2010/5/10/1466025/fulham-need-to-win-final-to-ensure
Fulham need to win Final to ensure return to the Europa League next year

To ensure the return to the Europa League next year Fulham will need to win the Final now .  This is according to the Daily Mail article " Blow for Burnley and Fulham as England slip in Fair Play ranking and lose extra Europa League spot" . In the article it states that England have dropped in the Fair Play rankings.

The top 3 spots in the "Fair Play League" give that country an extra spot in the Europa League. The latest results have England dropping to 7th. England do not get an extra spot which could have gone to Fulham.


WhiteJC

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6146242,00.html
Key Fulham duo back in training
Zamora and Duff boost prospects of being fit to face Atletico

Fulham have been handed a boost after Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff took part in training ahead of Wednesday's Europa League final.

Zamora has not played for the Cottagers since aggravating a long-standing Achilles problem in the second leg of the semi-final win over Hamburg last month.

Duff, meanwhile, sat out Sunday's 4-0 defeat at Arsenal after he suffered a recurrence of a calf problem in last week's game against Stoke City.

However, both players trained on Monday and will be out to prove their fitness to manager Roy Hodgson ahead of the final with Atletico Madrid in Hamburg.

Hodgson is also monitoring the fitness of John Pantsil and Bjorn Helge Riise, who were both substituted with knocks during the Premier League loss at Emirates Stadium.

Speaking after the game, Hodgson confirmed Pantsil had picked up a thigh complaint and Riise was struggling with a stomach problem.

Hodgson said on Sunday: "Pantsil has felt a slight problem in his thigh, but we do not think it is massive.

"It might be a slight muscle strain, but the physios did not seem to be terribly disturbed. We will have to reassess him.

"Riise was suffering from stomach cramps at half-time. That could be worse. He has had to go home, and we hope it is not a viral infection."

WhiteJC

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/7706044/Europa-League-final-ash-cloud-prompts-Atletico-Madrid-to-travel-24-hours-in-advance.html
Europa League final: ash cloud prompts Atlético Madrid to travel 24 hours in advance
Atlético Madrid will leave a day ahead of schedule to travel to Hamburg for Wednesday's Europa League final against Fulham to limit potential disruptions caused by Iceland's volcanic eruption.

The Atlético team will leave today [Monday] instead of Tuesday for Germany, the club announced on its website.

Their decision followed the club having to travel by bus to play their weekend league game against Sporting Gijon because several airports in the north of Spain were closed.

Potential travel disruptions has led Fulham manager Roy Hodgson to suggest to Uefa that the Europa League final should be postponed if ongoing travel concerns cause too many problems for either side.

"We are worried because they are always talking about changing wind direction and having to play this game on Sunday does not give us too much alternative," Hodgson said.

"It is all very well people saying change the flights, but we can only change that on Monday. We are talking about 40 people and a lot of kit - it is not like someone going on a package holiday, it is a major operation.

"We are training on Monday morning and I am not expecting to race around and try to contact the players now to say 'You had better bring your bags for nine o'clock.'

"It could be very problematic and I only hope we have the luck to see the ash cloud disappear from the airspace between England and Germany.

"It is a very, very complicated matter and while our administrative team are working on it as best they can, to some extent we are going to be very much in the hands of the aviation authorities.

"What we can and can't do will be decided by them, not us."

Meanwhile, Atlético goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo will miss the clash in Hamburg after being ruled out for up to six months at the weekend.

The 20-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left leg.

WhiteJC

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2010/05/10/1918551/fulham-manager-roy-hodgson-only-a-win-will-make-me-enjoy
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson: Only a win will make me enjoy Europa League final
Cottagers boosted by return of Zamora and Duff...

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that he does not expect to enjoy his side's first ever European final against, when they face Atletico Madrid in the Europa League on Wednesday evening.

The Cottagers have exceeded expectations this season to reach the Europa League final, beating the likes of Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk and Hamburg along the way.

Hodgson however, has revealed that he will not be able to sit back and enjoy the final unless his side triumph against the Spanish side.

"The idea of enjoying matches goes out of the window when you sign your first professional contract," Hodgson told FourFourTwo magazine.

"After that the only enjoyment you can get is doing your job well – that means winning."

The 62-year-old believes it will be a tough task to beat Atletico, who got the better of Liverpool in the semi-finals and thinks his side will have to be at their best on the night.

Hodgson, who has been in management since 1976, insists his experience will count for nothing however, on Wednesday evening.

He said: "Luckily, the match isn't going to be decided on who has the most previous experience in Europe or the most famous players.

"It'll be won by the team who play the best football on the night."

The Cottagers have been boosted by the return of Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff to training, ahead of Wednesday's showpiece.

The pair have been in fine form this season, and could prove to be the difference if Fulham are to triumph in Hamburg.


WhiteJC

http://www.epltalk.com/fulham-need-to-avoid-the-fairytale-turning-into-a-nightmare/19418?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EPLTalk+%28EPL+Talk%29
Fulham Need To Avoid The Fairytale Turning Into A Nightmare

To some, there's nothing more condescending than when their team are described as plucky, punching above there weight or a battling side. Each of the terms generally means the same thing when used towards a football club. You've punched above your weight and sooner rather than later, you're going to get brought down to earth. Fulham have got used to running the whole gambit of these cliche ridden back handed complements this season during their run to the Europa League Final.

Over the last couple of days, I've seen a few articles around stating it's the biggest game in Fulham's history. Sorry to deflate the collective bubbles, but that simply isn't true at all. It's possibly the craziest day in an average Fulham fans lifetime but it's not even close to biggest match in the clubs history. I doubt even the most ardent Cottage regular would have even considered getting to the final when you look at the teams they were up against. It's a brilliant day and they will want to win it, but I'll look at the clubs biggest game in the modern era further down.

Of course, I will be rooting for Fulham on Wednesday night in the final as if it's my own team. I like Fulham, I like the way they play the game, I like Roy Hodgson, so I naturally want the best for them. I'd love it if they won the game, but do not underestimate Athletico Madrid. Despite the fact that they are clearly the most disaster prone side in European football and have somehow got to the game by only winning 2 matches, they still have some quality in the team.

If any team can implode and throw any situation away, then Athletico are the team to put your money on. For example, they won the Spanish double in 1996 with Raddy Antic as manager and then four years later they dropped out of the Primera League. Their greatest era as a club coincided with Real Madrid being the greatest club side in the world for about 15 years. The fans burnt the club shop down in 2005 when the new Nike kit was discovered to have scrapped the red and white stripes. This is a club that make Tottenham look the model of consistency.



Despite all that, Fulham stand on the threshold of an amazing achievement. Don't patronise them by assuming by being in the final being good enough. Hodgson and his players will want to win the trophy. By falling at the final fence, everything will have been in vain. All the sweat, the comebacks, the fighting spirit will have come to nothing if they fail to come home without that trophy. Being there doesn't count unless you win the damn thing. Ask the Middlesbrough faithful.



Now, as for the biggest game in Fulhams modern history, the day they played Torquay United in a battle between the two lowest placed league sides in 1996 has to be up there. Only 14 years ago, Fulham faced relegation out of the league and financial implosion. Crowds were little better than 4,000 a game and they had less than a 1,000 season ticket holders. They lost the match and faced ruin and that was just 14 years ago. The same season, Hodgson was leading Inter Milan to a 7th place finish in Serie A and Fulham managed to survive by bringing Mickey Adams in as manager.

That's how far this club has come in such a short time and for all the hype and posturing, the Fulham fans will always look back to the day they were facing oblivion in the face. Football is indeed a funny old game, but for Fulham and Roy Hodgson, only a win at the HSH Nordbank Arena will suffice in bringing a smile to their faces.

WhiteJC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/8673848.stm
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson voted manager of the year

Fulham's Roy Hodgson has been voted manager of the year by a record margin after steering the west London club to the Europa League final.

Hodgson received the award from the League Managers Association after a poll of coaches, including managers from the top four leagues in England.

Fulham face Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, league sponsor Barclays named Harry Redknapp manager of the year and Wayne Rooney the top player.

Hodgson's award is recognition for a remarkable season in which he masterminded Fulham's progress to their first European final, while securing a 12th place finish in the Premier League.

The Cottagers played 18 matches on the road to the final in a campaign that began in July, overcoming the likes of Juventus, Shakhtar, Wolfsburg and Hamburg.

Despite minimal spending in the transfer market, the club never flirted with relegation and only struggled for form at the end of the season when Hodgson began to rest players with the Europa League in mind.

Hodgson arrived at Fulham in December 2007 and led the club on a run of 12 points from their last five games to ensure Premier League survival on the last day of the season.

Last year they achieved their highest ever league position of seventh.

LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said Hodgson received an "overwhelming" number of votes from the association's 256 members, made up of all 92 league clubs' bosses, retired coaches, and those still involved in the game below managerial level.

"Roy won the LMA manager of the year award by the most significant margin in the history of the award," said Bevan.

"He is highly respected within the game and held in the highest regard in the family of football."

LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson said: "Since joining Fulham, Roy has transformed the club's fortunes.

"He is highly respected by the LMA members and also on an international level where he has worked his miracles in no fewer than seven countries.

"He is a great role model for all aspiring managers and coaches and is fully deserving of this recognition."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had led calls for Hodgson to be given the award, describing his achievements as "miraculous," while Tottenham boss Redknapp called them "unbelievable".

Last week, Hodgson admitted he would like to lead a "big club" in the future but vowed to remain at Fulham for the time being.

In his 34-year managerial career, Hodgson has coached Halmstads, Bristol City, Orebro, Malmo, Neuchatel Xamax, Inter Milan, Blackburn Rovers, Grasshopper, Copenhagen, Udinese, Viking, and Fulham.

He led Switzerland to the last 16 of the 1994 World Cup and qualification for Euro 96, also managing the United Arab Emirates and Finland.

Redknapp's award comes after Spurs qualified for the Champions League by beating the likes of Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool to fourth place.

Manchester United striker Rooney's prize completes a hat-trick after he already collected the Professional Footballers' Association and Football Writers' awards for this season.

The LMA also awarded a special merit award to former England boss Steve McClaren, who led FC Twente to the first Dutch league title in their 45-year history.

WhiteJC

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6146404,00.html
Hodgson takes manager prize
Redknapp wins Premier League manager of the year award

Roy Hodgson has been awarded the manager of the year prize by the League Managers' Association after leading Fulham to the Europa League final.

The Fulham boss has been rewarded after following up last season's seventh-placed finish in the Premier League with another excellent campaign at Craven Cottage.

In addition to claiming 12th spot in the domestic table, Hodgson has also guided the club to a first European final, with Fulham facing Atletico Madrid in Hamburg on Wednesday night.

Fulham, who also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, will have played 63 games this term after their prestigious clash with Atletico having started their European campaign last July.

Harry Redknapp took this season's Premier League manager of the year award after guiding Tottenham to fourth place, but LMA chairman Howard Wilkinson believes Hodgson's efforts since taking over an ailing Fulham in December 2007 make him a worthy winner of the overall prize.

Highly respected
"Since joining Fulham, Roy has transformed the club's fortunes," said Wilkinson.

"He initially saved them from the brink of relegation then took them to their highest ever league position last season. This year he has capitalised on that platform, achieving remarkable success in this season's Europa League.

"He is highly respected by the LMA members and also on an international level where he has worked his miracles in no fewer than seven countries. He is a great role model for all aspiring managers and coaches and is fully deserving of this recognition."

Newcastle's Chris Hughton is the new Championship manager of the year for his efforts in taking the club back up at the first attempt, while Norwich's Paul Lambert and Rochdale's Keith Hill have been honoured for their exploits in League One and League Two respectively.

Steve McClaren, enjoying a career renaissance in Holland with FC Twente, was handed the LMA's special merit award, while there were also gongs for Arsenal director Ken Friar, who won the service to football award, and Ron Atkinson, who was inducted to the LMA's Hall of Fame.

Richard Bevan, chief executive of the LMA, said: "Roy Hodgson received an overwhelming number of votes from the members and has won the LMA manager of the year award sponsored by Barclays by the most significant margin in the history of the award.

"He is highly respected within the game and held in the highest regard in the family of football. He freely gives up his time to help other coaches and managers develop and hone their skills and talents, regularly contributing to the LMA's educational programmes."


WhiteJC

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/May/HodgsonManagersAward.aspx
Manager of the Year

[img]http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Management/hodgson/general1.jpg[
/img]
Roy Hodgson has been voted Manager of the Year by the League Managers Association. The Fulham Manager received the award after a poll of coaches and managers from the top four leagues in England.

Fulham Chairman Mohamed Al Fayed said:

"I am delighted that Roy should win this award, he's not just a great football manager he is a splendid human being. It is a pleasure to work with him and we have a great relationship.

"This award shows that occasionally football makes the right decision, and Roy is it; now all he has to do is win the Europa League competition and I will pay the excess baggage for him to bring the trophy back. Congratulations!"
.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/May/HodgsonManagersAward.aspx#ixzz0nbKhAgYB

WhiteJC

http://www.teamtalk.com/fulham/6146397/Hodgson-named-Manager-of-the-Year
Hodgson named Manager of the Year

Fulham's Roy Hodgson has been named as Manager of the Year by the LMA, while Harry Redknapp and Chris Hughton are among other bosses honoured.

Hodgson has been recognised by his peers in the League Managers' Association after steering the Cottagers to the Europa League final for the first time in their history as well as taking the London club to 12th in the Premier League on a limited budget.

Fulham, who also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, will have played 63 games this term after their prestigious clash with Atletico Madrid having started their European campaign last July.

Tottenham's Redknapp took this season's Premier League manager of the year award after guiding Spurs to fourth place but LMA Chairman Howard Wilkinson believes Hodgson's efforts since taking over an ailing Fulham in December 2007 make him a worthy winner of the overall prize.

"Since joining Fulham, Roy has transformed the club's fortunes," said Wilkinson.

"He initially saved them from the brink of relegation then took them to their highest ever league position last season. This year he has capitalised on that platform, achieving remarkable success in this season's Europa League.

"He is highly respected by the LMA members and also on an international level where he has worked his miracles in no fewer than seven countries. He is a great role model for all aspiring managers and coaches and is fully deserving of this recognition."

Newcastle's Hughton is the new Championship manager of the year for his efforts in taking the club back up at the first attempt, while Norwich's Paul Lambert and Rochdale's Keith Hill have been honoured for their exploits in League One and League Two respectively.

Steve McClaren, enjoying a career renaissance in Holland with FC Twente, was handed the LMA's special merit award, while there were also gongs for Arsenal director Ken Friar, who won the service to football award, and Ron Atkinson, who was inducted to the LMA's Hall of Fame.

Richard Bevan, chief executive of the LMA, said: "Tonight is a celebration of this season's managerial achievements throughout all four leagues at the highest level.

"To be voted for and acknowledged by your fellow members, peers and competitors is a great honour and the ultimate accolade is public recognition of success.

"The manager remains the most important man at a football club and to succeed in this profession requires extreme dedication and commitment.

"Roy Hodgson received an overwhelming number of votes from the members and has won the LMA Manager of the Year Award sponsored by Barclays by the most significant margin in the history of the award.

"He is highly respected within the game and held in the highest regard in the family of football. He freely gives up his time to help other coaches and managers develop and hone their skills and talents, regularly contributing to the LMA's educational programmes."

WhiteJC

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=1208426.html?cid=rssfeed&att=
Hodgson named LMA Manager of the Year

Fulham's Roy Hodgson has been named as the manager of the year by the League Managers' Association.

Hodgson has been recognised by his peers after steering the Cottagers to the UEFA Europa League final for the first time in their history as well as taking the London club to 12th in the Barclays Premier League on a limited budget.

Fulham, who also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, will have played 63 games this term after their prestigious clash with Atletico Madrid having started their European campaign last July.

Tottenham's Harry Redknapp took this season's Premier League manager of the year award after guiding Spurs to fourth place but LMA Chairman Howard Wilkinson believes Hodgson's efforts since taking over an ailing Fulham in December 2007 make him a worthy winner of the overall prize.

"Since joining Fulham, Roy has transformed the club's fortunes," said Wilkinson. He initially saved them from the brink of relegation then took them to their highest ever league position last season. This year he has capitalised on that platform, achieving remarkable success in this season's Europa League.

"He is highly respected by the LMA members and also on an international level where he has worked his miracles in no fewer than seven countries. He is a great role model for all aspiring managers and coaches and is fully deserving of this recognition."

Newcastle's Chris Hughton is the new Coca-Cola Championship manager of the year for his efforts in taking the club back up at the first attempt, while Norwich's Paul Lambert and Rochdale's Keith Hill have been honoured for their exploits in League One and League Two respectively.

Steve McClaren, enjoying a career renaissance in Holland with FC Twente, was handed the LMA's special merit award, while there were also gongs for Arsenal director Ken Friar, who won the service to football award, and Ron Atkinson, who was inducted to the LMA's Hall of Fame.

Richard Bevan, chief executive of the LMA, said: "Tonight is a celebration of this season's managerial achievements throughout all four leagues at the highest level.

"To be voted for and acknowledged by your fellow members, peers and competitors is a great honour and the ultimate accolade is public recognition of success.

"The manager remains the most important man at a football club and to succeed in this profession requires extreme dedication and commitment.

"Roy Hodgson received an overwhelming number of votes from the members and has won the LMA Manager of the Year Award sponsored by Barclays by the most significant margin in the history of the award.

"He is highly respected within the game and held in the highest regard in the family of football. He freely gives up his time to help other coaches and managers develop and hone their skills and talents, regularly contributing to the LMA's educational programmes."


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Hodgson named Manager of the Year by fellow bosses

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has been crowned Manager of the Year by the League Managers' Association (LMA), an award voted for by all the managers in the top four leagues in England.

Hodgson has regularly received plaudits from his peers this season after guiding Fulham to a first ever European final, beating the likes of Juventus and Wolfsburg along the way.

And the former Inter Milan boss will lead the Cottagers into battle against Atletico Madrid this Wednesday in the inaugural Europa League final, looking to become the first English manager to lift a major European trophy since Bobby Robson won the Cup Winners' Cup with Barcelona in 1997.

LMA Chairman, Howard Wilkinson, said: "Since joining Fulham, Roy has transformed the club's fortunes. He initially saved them from the brink of relegation then took them to their highest ever league position last season. This year he has capitalised on that platform, achieving remarkable success in this season's Europa League.

"He is highly respected by the LMA members and also on an international level where he has worked his miracles in no fewer than seven countries. He is a great role model for all aspiring managers and coaches and is fully deserving of this recognition."

Hodgson was charged with saving Fulham from relegation when he first took the reins at Crave Cottage in December 2007, something he achieved in dramatic fashion with a victory over Portsmouth on the final day of the 2007-08 season to keep the Cottagers up on goal difference.

Since then he has built on a solid foundation, motivating a group of good, if not spectacular Premier League footballers to achieve well above their station in European competition.

Newcastle's Chris Hughton was named the Championship Manager of the Year for his efforts in taking the club back up at the first attempt, while Norwich's Paul Lambert and Rochdale's Keith Hill have been honoured for their exploits in League One and League Two respectively.

Steve McClaren, enjoying a career renaissance in Holland with FC Twente, was handed the LMA's special merit award, while there were also gongs for Arsenal director Ken Friar, who won the service to football award, and Ron Atkinson, who was inducted to the LMA's Hall of Fame.

Richard Bevan, Chief Executive of the LMA, said: "Tonight is a celebration of this season's managerial achievements throughout all four leagues at the highest level. To be voted for and acknowledged by your fellow members, peers and competitors is a great honour and the ultimate accolade is public recognition of success.

"The manager remains the most important man at a football club and to succeed in this profession requires extreme dedication and commitment. Roy received an overwhelming number of votes from the members and has won the LMA Manager of the Year Award sponsored by Barclays by the most significant margin in the history of the award.

"He is highly respected within the game and held in the highest regard in the family of football. He freely gives up his time to help other coaches and managers develop and hone their skills and talents, regularly contributing to the LMA's educational programmes.

"On behalf of the LMA, I wish Roy and the Fulham players the very best for this week's Europa League Cup Final in Hamburg. It will be a tremendous feat if they bring back the cup. I would also like to say a special thank you to all the members who have contributed to yet another fantastic season."


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HODGSON NAMED LMA MANAGER OF YEAR

Fulham's Roy Hodgson has been named as the manager of the year by the League Managers' Association.

Hodgson has been recognised by his peers after steering the Cottagers to the Europa League final for the first time in their history as well as taking the London club to 12th in the Barclays Premier League on a limited budget.

Fulham, who also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, will have played 63 games this term after their prestigious clash with Atletico Madrid having started their European campaign last July.

Tottenham's Harry Redknapp took this season's Premier League manager of the year award after guiding Spurs to fourth place but LMA Chairman Howard Wilkinson believes Hodgson's efforts since taking over an ailing Fulham in December 2007 make him a worthy winner of the overall prize.

"Since joining Fulham, Roy has transformed the club's fortunes," said Wilkinson.

"He initially saved them from the brink of relegation then took them to their highest ever league position last season. This year he has capitalised on that platform, achieving remarkable success in this season's Europa League.

"He is highly respected by the LMA members and also on an international level where he has worked his miracles in no fewer than seven countries. He is a great role model for all aspiring managers and coaches and is fully deserving of this recognition."

Newcastle's Chris Hughton is the new Coca-Cola Championship manager of the year for his efforts in taking the club back up at the first attempt, while Norwich's Paul Lambert and Rochdale's Keith Hill have been honoured for their exploits in League One and League Two respectively.

Steve McClaren, enjoying a career renaissance in Holland with FC Twente, was handed the LMA's special merit award, while there were also gongs for Arsenal director Ken Friar, who won the service to football award, and Ron Atkinson, who was inducted to the LMA's Hall of Fame.

Richard Bevan, chief executive of the LMA, said: "Tonight is a celebration of this season's managerial achievements throughout all four leagues at the highest level.

"To be voted for and acknowledged by your fellow members, peers and competitors is a great honour and the ultimate accolade is public recognition of success.

"The manager remains the most important man at a football club and to succeed in this profession requires extreme dedication and commitment.

"Roy Hodgson received an overwhelming number of votes from the members and has won the LMA Manager of the Year Award sponsored by Barclays by the most significant margin in the history of the award.

"He is highly respected within the game and held in the highest regard in the family of football. He freely gives up his time to help other coaches and managers develop and hone their skills and talents, regularly contributing to the LMA's educational programmes."


WhiteJC

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Europa League ash worries subside

Fulham are expecting no disruption to their travel plans for the Europa League final after fears that the volcanic ash cloud could again spread were eased on Monday.

The club had drawn up alternative arrangements in case the situation deteriorated, but will fly to Hamburg from London as scheduled on Tuesday morning, while Atletico travelled on Monday - 24 hours earlier than initially planned, as a precautionary measure.

Flights between London and Hamburg were running as normal on Monday, saving supporters travelling to Wednesday's final from the nightmare prospect of finding a different route.

Manager Roy Hodgson urged UEFA to consider postponing the match if the ash caused more travel chaos, after the Cottagers faced a gruelling 12-hour coach trip to Germany last month for the first leg of their semi-final against Hamburg, following the closure of European airspace after the initial eruptions in Iceland.

Airports across France, Spain, northern Italy and Germany were closed on Sunday as the cloud drifted, but by this morning they had reopened.

Meanwhile, Fulham have bee issued with a new, "very limited'', allocation of tickets for the final. Supporters were furious after the initial 12,650 allocation - the same number also given to Atletico - sold out within four hours, prompting the club to request more.

The shortage occurred because season ticket holders were able to buy up to four tickets for the final, though in their defence, the club said they were surprised by the "unprecedented demand'' for tickets.


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http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2010/05/10/1918663/fulham-manager-roy-hodgson-named-lma-manager-of-the-year
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson named LMA Manager of the Year
Cottagers boss rewarded after fine season...

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has been named the LMA Manager of the Year, ahead of his side's Europa League final against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

The Cottagers boss missed out on the Premier League Manager of the Year award, with Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp picking up the accolade last week.

However, after guiding his Fulham side to a respectable 12th place finish in the league, as well as a Europa League final on Wednesday, Hodgson has been rewarded by the League Managers' Association.

It will be the club's first ever European final when they face Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening in Hamburg, after beating a host of top European clubs along the way.

Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk and Roma were all knocked out by the West London Club, as Hodgson's side exceeded expectations, making it one of the most memorable seasons in the clubs history.

After joining the Cottagers in December 2007, Hodgson has taken the club from relegation candidates to possible Europa League winners, and LMA Chairman Howard Wilkinson believes he is a worthy winner of the award.

Wilkinson said:"Since joining Fulham, Roy has transformed the club's fortunes," reports Press Association Sports.

"He initially saved them from the brink of relegation then took them to their highest ever league position last season. This year he has capitalised on that platform, achieving remarkable success in this season's Europa League.

"He is highly respected by the LMA members and also on an international level where he has worked his miracles in no fewer than seven countries.

"He is a great role model for all aspiring managers and coaches and is fully deserving of this recognition."

Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed said he was "delighted'' by the decision to give the award to Hodgson.

"This award shows that occasionally football makes the right decision, and Roy is it," he told Associated Press.

He added: "Now all he has to do is win the Europa League competition.''

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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6146427,00.html
Hodgson humbled by award
Fulham boss hoping for one last effort in Europa League final

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson admits being voted the LMA manager of the year is the 'greatest award' he has received in his career.

Hodgson was honoured by his peers for his achievements in leading Fulham to the Europa League final this season, in addition to securing 12th spot in the Premier League.

The Cottagers also reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and, ahead of Wednesday's European showdown with Atletico Madrid in Hamburg, Hodgson expressed his pride upon receiving the award.

"There's no greater acknowledgement in football than an award that comes from people who are in the same profession as you and who are facing the same difficulties day after day as you," Hodgson told Sky Sports News.

"When they look at the criteria and it's the guy who makes the most out of the material he's got, when they say it's you, all you can do is humbly bow your head and thank them for the award.

"It's certainly the greatest award I've had in my career."

Dedication
The Europa League final will be Fulham's 63rd game of a season which started last July and Hodgson is hoping his players can maintain their level of consistency for one last hurrah.

He added: "It's 62 games long already and what the team has shown is an enormous consistency, enormous resilience and enormous dedication.

"These are great qualities for any football player or any football team to show.

"I'm hoping desperately that we are going to take them into the 63rd game of the season."