Friday Fulham Stuff (18/06/10)...

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http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6211595,00.html?
Cottagers make Sidwell bid
Fulham keen to land Villa midfielder

Fulham have made a bid for Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell, Sky Sports News understands.

The former Reading player has endured a frustrating time since leaving the Madejski Stadium on a free transfer to join Chelsea in the summer of 2007.

Sidwell was unable to force his way into the Blues' first team and was on the move again just 12 months later as he signed for Aston Villa in £5million deal.

But the former Arsenal trainee has mustered just 23 Premier League starts during his two terms under Martin O'Neill and now looks poised for a return to London.

Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson is looking to bolster his squad over the summer having already brought in centre-back Philippe Senderos after his contract with Arsenal expired.

Villa would be keen to recoup some of the fee they invested to secure the 27-year-old's services but will know his value has dipped with a lack of action in recent years and only 12 months remaining on his contract.

Sunderland and West Ham are also reported to be monitoring Sidwell's situation but it is understood that Hodgson has made the first move with an initial bid to O'Neill's side.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=202104
Fulham - Etuhu Hopes on the Rocks!
After a second successive defeat at South Africa 2010, Dickson Etuhu could soon be heading home.

This afternoon, Nigeria crashed to Greece despite taking the lead. Greece over-came a ten man Nigeria side to not only register their first win in the World Cup Finals but their first ever goals.

The defeat leaves Nigeria rock-bottom in Group B and needing something out of their last group game, against South Korea.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=202104#ixzz0rBQrLAg3

[WhiteJC]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=798146&sec=england&cc=5739
Hodgson refuses to be drawn on Liverpool

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has refused to be drawn on the vacant manager's job at Liverpool.

Hodgson has been linked with the job since Rafael Benitez left Anfield but has declared his contentment with his current job at Craven Cottage.

Hodgson, who is working as a pundit for the BBC at the World Cup in South Africa, said: "I'm Fulham manager. I'm perfectly happy at Fulham. To be honest, there's a lot of speculation but I can't enlighten you."

Kenny Dalglish is believed to be the main contender for the post should Hodgson reject the position.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2890/world-cup-2010/2010/06/17/1981962/world-cup-2010-fulham-manager-roy-hodgson-surprised-by?
World Cup 2010: Fulham manager Roy Hodgson surprised by indecision over England goalkeeper & backs Robert Green to retain No.1 spot
Cottagers boss has support for West Ham United goalkeeper...

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has come out in support of Robert Green and said England coach Fabio Capello has to stick with the West Ham stopper as the team's No.1 at the World Cup.

There had been much speculation before the Three Lions' Word Cup campaign kicked off as to who would stand between the sticks, with Green, David James and Joe Hart all vying for a starting berth.

The situation was not helped as Capello changed his goalkeeper for each one of England's warm up games to leave fans with no clear indication as to who would play the game against the USA.

"I don't understand how you can have a situation where you have three goalkeepers and nobody knows who the No.1 is," Hodgson told the BBC.

Robert Green's mistake which led to the USA goal in England's Group C opener has opened the debate further but Hodgson thinks Green deserves another chance to impress.

"All the goalkeepers seem to be on a par and everyone's got their own opinion as to which one's the best and which one's the most talented," he added.

"I think that's something really that only the coach and the goalkeeping coach can decide upon and I'd like to think they've decided. They gave the job to Green because they decided 'he's our No.1' and so they should stick with it."

England take on Algeria on Friday desperate for the win that would edge them closer to qualification for the second round of the World Cup in South Africa.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/hodgson-a-happy-cottager-2225416.html?
Hodgson a happy Cottager

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has refused to be drawn on the vacant manager's job at Liverpool.

Hodgson has been linked with the job since Rafael Benitez left Anfield but has declared his contentment with his current job at Craven Cottage.

Hodgson, who is working as a pundit for the BBC at the World Cup in South Africa, said on BBC1: "I'm Fulham manager. I'm perfectly happy at Fulham. To be honest there's a lot of speculation but I can't enlighten you."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6211934,00.html?
Hodgson happy with Cottagers
Experienced coach coy on Reds rumours

Roy Hodgson has reiterated his desire to bring about an end to speculation linking him with Liverpool.

The Fulham boss has seen his stock rise considerably over recent seasons, with his exploits at Craven Cottage drawing widespread acclaim.

The plaudits are always most welcome, but the experienced coach now finds himself at the centre of a distracting managerial debate.

Reports continue to suggest that he could be on his way to Anfield this summer, with Liverpoollooking to replace Rafa Benitez.
The Reds are believed to have identified Hodgson as a possible candidate for the post and are planning to make contact in the near future.

Staying put

Fulham would understandably be reluctant to see their highly-rated manager leave, but accept that success inevitably leads to gossip.

Hodgson claims that is all the Liverpool talk is at present and has once again stated that he is more than happy with life on the banks of the Thames.

"I'm Fulham manager. I'm perfectly happy at Fulham." He said.

"To be honest, there's a lot of speculation but I can't enlighten you."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/10/06/17/SOCCER_Hodgson.html
ROY HODGSON HAPPY AT FULHAM

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has refused to be drawn on the vacant manager's job at Liverpool.

Hodgson has been linked with the job since Rafael Benitez left Anfield but has declared his contentment with his current job at Craven Cottage.

Hodgson, who is working as a pundit for the BBC at the World Cup in South Africa, said: "I'm Fulham manager. I'm perfectly happy at Fulham."

Hodgson, who took Fulham to the Europa League final where they lost to Atletico Madrid, added on BBC1: "To be honest there's a lot of speculation but I can't enlighten you."

[WhiteJC]

http://hammyend.com/?p=7285
Roy plays it straight
by DAN on JUNE 17, 2010

Lots of excited chatter about Roy's body language on the Match of the Day sofa tonight when he was asked the inevitable Liverpool-related question by Gary Lineker.

To me, it's quite simple. Hodgson was what he always is: refreshingly honest. He corrected Lineker and told him he should introduce him as the Fulham manager and that he was quite happy at Craven Cottage. Commenting on speculation has just never been Roy's style.

The PA report him as saying:

I'm Fulham manager. I'm perfectly happy at Fulham. To be honest there's a lot of speculation but I can't enlighten you.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/jun/18/world-cup-2010-usa?
World Cup 2010: Horns still stay silent for the underdog USA
The USA doubled viewing figures against England but soccer remains in a halfway house between success and failure

If lack of bunting in the street is any indication, America appears to be living up to its reputation for glorious isolation. While the rest of the globe is already gripped by World Cup fever, here in the US there are scant outward signs of football – or rather soccer – obsession.

There are no Stars and Stripes in the windows beyond the usual patriotic quota, no cars honking horns as goals are scored. Very few papers across the country lived up to the chutzpah of the New York Post, which plastered its post-England game front page with the headline: "USA wins 1-1".

In the American heartlands excitement levels were decidedly muted by comparison, despite that impressive scoreline. The Houston Chronicle was far more interested in college American football than in the England battle, even though Saturday's goalscorer Clint Dempsey is a local boy from Nacogdoches in Texas.

But it would be wrong to imply that this country is indifferent to the World Cup. Last Saturday, sports bars across the US were packed with fans, from the 2,000 who watched the game in Studio Square in New York to thousands more who squatted in the home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team to watch the match on its big screen.

About 17 million Americans watched the England game on television – a relatively piddly number compared with the 106m who sat transfixed in February as the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl. But that's still double the viewing figures during the opening round of the 2006 World Cup, and it even outstrips the popularity of the recent Stanley Cup, the culmination of the 2009-10 season in ice hockey – a game that is considered an American staple.

Christopher Harris, who runs MajorLeagueSoccerTalk.com from his home in Florida, thinks US football is finally coming of age. "At this point soccer has become a mainstream sport in television viewing, and that's the first time you can really say that."

Jason Davis of MatchFitUSA.com is not quite so upbeat. "Soccer here is still fairly under the surface. It's almost like a secret language – fans don't talk about it much, because it's hard to tell who's into it and who's not."

The strength of the World Cup following in America probably lies somewhere in the middle of Harris's optimism and Davis's uncertainty. Evidence of the sport's halfway house between success and failure can be seen in the coverage the match against England received from the US media. Commentators felt they could only convey the significance of the game by invoking baseball lore; the beautiful game could not be allowed to speak for itself. So the magnitude of Robert Green's mishandling of Dempsey's shot had to be likened to the famous occasion when Bill Buckner, playing for the Boston Red Sox in the 1986 World Series, let the ball slip through his legs, ultimately costing his team the championship.

Just how far the love of the sport grows through this World Cup depends, of course, in large part on how the US team gets on, and that in turn depends on the patchy quality of its squad. Tim Howard in goal has already achieved hero status across the States after his performance on Saturday, and with players like Carlos Bocanegra and Landon Donovan the defence and mid-field are proving solid. But there are question marks surrounding the strikers – Jozy Altidore, Edson Buddle, Robbie Findley and Herculez Gomez – and their ability to score.

The next challenge is Slovenia today in Johannesburg, a fixture that is filling American soccer fans with some trepidation. Both Harris and Davis expect the USA to go through to the last 16, but they are divided over the prospect of facing the mighty Germany.

"We've got the mentality and the psychology of a strong and united team," Harris says, "and as for Germany, USA always plays best when they are the underdog."

Davis, again, is not so sure. "If we have to face Germany, that would be difficult, and I don't see us going on."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1287542/Managerless-Liverpool-closing-appointing-Fulham-boss-Roy-Hodgson.html?ITO=1490
Managerless Liverpool closing in on appointing Fulham boss Roy Hodgson

Liverpool have closed in on Roy Hodgson and expect to announce him as their new manager next week.

It is understood initial contact has been made with Fulham and that chairman Mohamed Al Fayed has reluctantly accepted last season's manager of the year will be installed as Rafa Benitez's successor.

Hodgson, whose exploits with Fulham have put him in the frame to take over as England manager after Fabio Capello, is at the World Cup but has been made aware that Liverpool are primed to appoint him, ahead of Kenny Dalglish and Manuel Pellegrini.

Liverpool's board carefully considered the claims of both Dalglish, who had asked to be considered after acting as adviser to managing director Christian Purslow, and Pellegrini, who led Real Madrid to a record points tally in La Liga but lost his job to Jose Mourinho after finishing second to Barcelona.

But they concluded Hodgson was best suited to reviving their fortunes. Ian Holloway has rejected a second contract offer from Premier League new boys Blackpool.

Former Scotland boss George Burley has been confirmed as Crystal Palace boss while Peter Reid, assistant at Stoke, is in the running for the Plymouth job along with Paul Ince and Paul Jewell.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1287542/Managerless-Liverpool-closing-appointing-Fulham-boss-Roy-Hodgson.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0rBTpPpee

[WhiteJC]

http://www.cottagersconfidential.com/2010/6/18/1523726/cottagers-daily-rumor-mill-could?
Cottagers Daily Rumor Mill: Could Liverpool Be Interested In Manuel Pellegrini ?

The rumored names linked to the open Liverpool coaching position just keeps growing. According to the Guardian,  Manuel Pellegrini has discussed the open Liverpool coaching position with Kenny Dalglish. Pellegrini is the former Real Madrid coach. The Guardian article is insisting their was a meeting yesterday in England between Pellegrini and Dalglish.

The Guardian story does mention even though there are talks between Liverpool and Pellegrini, Roy Hodgson is still Liverpool's top candidate. The article states that an official approach by Liverpool regarding Roy Hodgson will happen next week.

This speculation regarding the Liverpool coaching job just keeps going in several directions. The rumored names for this position include Kenny Dalglish, Roy Hodgson, and Manuel Pellegrini. Honestly, I am hoping Liverpool make a decision on a new coach soon.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/liverpool-target-hodgson-i-am-happy-fulham-916331?
Liverpool target Hodgson: I am happy at Fulham

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has played down talk of taking the Liverpool job.

Hodgson has been linked with the job since Rafael Benitez left Anfield but has declared his contentment with his current job at Craven Cottage.

Hodgson, who is working as a pundit for the BBC at the World Cup in South Africa, said: "I'm Fulham manager. I'm perfectly happy at Fulham."

Hodgson, who took Fulham to the Europa League final where they lost to Atletico Madrid, added on BBC1: "To be honest there's a lot of speculation but I can't enlighten you."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3019313/Reds-will-go-for-Pellegrini.html
Reds will go for Pellegrini

FORMER Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini is a shock candidate to be the new Liverpool boss.

Chilean Pellegrini, 56, has met Anfield officials and joins Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish on the shortlist.

He was sacked by Real last month for failing to beat rivals Barcelona to the La Liga title.

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano could follow former boss Rafa Benitez to European champions Inter Milan.

His agent Marco Piccioli has revealed they are in talks, adding: "We are evaluating the move and will soon have a new meeting to better establish the details of this deal."


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3019313/Reds-will-go-for-Pellegrini.html#ixzz0rBVLFoD1

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/18/kenny-dalglish-liverpool-manuel-pellegrini
Liverpool talk to Manuel Pellegrini over vacant manager's job
• Kenny Dalglish meets former Real Madrid coach
• Roy Hodgson remains favourite to take over at Anfield

Manuel Pellegrini, the former Real Madrid coach, has held talks with Kenny Dalglish over the managerial vacancy at Liverpool despite Roy Hodgson remaining the club's preferred candidate to succeed Rafael Benítez at Anfield.

Pellegrini was dismissed by Real last month for failing to deliver in the Champions League or beat Barcelona to the title, although he did produce a club record 96 points during his one and only season at the Bernabéu. The Chilean's agent last night denied reports that the 56-year-old met Dalglish at Heathrow airport but Pellegrini was in England yesterday and did meet the Liverpool legend who is overseeing the search for Benítez's replacement alongside the managing director, Christian Purslow. Dalglish has told the Liverpool board that he would like the job in the absence of any superior candidates.

Negotiations with Pellegrini, who worked with the Liverpool goalkeeperJosé Reina during a successful five-year spell in charge of Villarreal, reveal that Anfield officials are working through a short-list of candidates to succeed Benítez, although it is understood Hodgson remains top of that list. The Fulham manager has yet to receive an official approach from Liverpool and last night reaffirmed his contentment at Craven Cottage from South Africa, where he is commentating for the BBC.

Asked about Liverpool's interest, Hodgson said: "I'm happy at Fulham. It is all speculation and I can't enlighten you. I don't know any more than you do." An official move for Hodgson from Liverpool is anticipated next week, however.

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http://www.teamtalk.com/liverpool/6212341/Hodgson-happy-with-life-at-Fulham?
Hodgson happy with life at Fulham

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has refused to be drawn on the vacant manager's job at Premier League rivals Liverpool.

Hodgson has been linked with the job since Rafael Benitez left Anfield but has declared his contentment with his current job at Craven Cottage.

Hodgson, who is working as a pundit for the BBC at the World Cup in South Africa, said: "I'm Fulham manager. I'm perfectly happy at Fulham."

Hodgson, who took Fulham to the Europa League final where they lost to Atletico Madrid, added on BBC1: "To be honest there's a lot of speculation but I can't enlighten you."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/media-watch/liverpool-hold-talks-with-pellegrini
Liverpool hold talks with Pellegrini

The following story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club:

Manuel Pellegrini, the former Real Madrid coach, has held talks with Kenny Dalglish over the managerial vacancy at Liverpool despite Roy Hodgson remaining the club's preferred candidate to succeed Rafael Benítez at Anfield.

Pellegrini was dismissed by Real last month for failing to deliver in the Champions League or beat Barcelona to the title, although he did produce a club record 96 points during his one and only season at the Bernabéu. The Chilean's agent last night denied reports that the 56-year-old met Dalglish at Heathrow airport but Pellegrini was in England yesterday and did meet the Liverpool legend who is overseeing the search for Benítez's replacement alongside the managing director, Christian Purslow. Dalglish has told the Liverpool board that he would like the job in the absence of any superior candidates.

Negotiations with Pellegrini, who worked with the Liverpool goalkeeper José Reina during a successful five-year spell in charge of Villarreal, reveal that Anfield officials are working through a short-list of candidates to succeed Benítez, although it is understood Hodgson remains top of that list. The Fulham manager has yet to receive an official approach from Liverpool and last night reaffirmed his contentment at Craven Cottage from South Africa, where he is commentating for the BBC.

Asked about Liverpool's interest, Hodgson said: "I'm happy at Fulham. It is all speculation and I can't enlighten you. I don't know any more than you do." An official move for Hodgson from Liverpool is anticipated next week, however.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Author: The Guardian
Tagged: manuel pellegrini , pellegrini

[WhiteJC]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/liverpool-chiefs-settle-hodgson-ahead-dalglish-pellegrini-916841?
Liverpool chiefs settle on Hodgson ahead of Dalglish, Pellegrini

Liverpool are closing in on a deal for Fulham manager Roy Hodgson.

The Daily Mail says Liverpool expect to announce him as their new manager next week.

It is understood initial contact has been made with Fulham and that chairman Mohamed Al Fayed has reluctantly accepted last season's manager of the year will be installed as Rafa Benitez's successor.

Hodgson, whose exploits with Fulham have put him in the frame to take over as England manager after Fabio Capello, is at the World Cup but has been made aware that Liverpool are primed to appoint him, ahead of Kenny Dalglish and Manuel Pellegrini.

Liverpool's board carefully considered the claims of both Dalglish, who had asked to be considered after acting as adviser to managing director Christian Purslow, and Pellegrini, who led Real Madrid to a record points tally in La Liga but lost his job to Jose Mourinho after finishing second to Barcelona.

But they concluded Hodgson was best suited to reviving their fortunes.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/west-london-sport/west-london-brentford-fc/2010/06/18/brentford-star-s-wife-pleas-for-calm-109642-26678741/?
Brentford star's wife pleas for calm

Kevin O'Connor's wife has pleaded for calm ahead of her husband's testimonial match between Brentford and Fulham.

Brentford stalwart O'Connor was awarded the game in recognition of his 10 years of loyal service to the club.

Roy Hodgson will bring his Fulham team to Griffin Park on Wednesday, July 14, if the new pitch being laid is ready.

However, fears have arisen that the occasion might be spoilt by action off the pitch if an old rivalry between the teams spills over.

Although Fulham have been light years away from Brentford since Mohammed Al Fayad started pouring millions into them, the teams were huge rivals in the 1980s and 90s, when they played each other regularly.

And the rivalry still exists today, despite not having met in more than a decade, since Paul Moody's brace gave Kevin Keegan's Fulham a 2-0 win over Micky Adams' Brentford at Griffin Park in April 1998.

Since the fixture was announced, there have been threats of trouble on Fulham internet message boards, which have been played down by Bees fans.

However, Penny O'Connor is not taking any chances and has pleaded with everyone not to spoil her husband's big day.
She told the Chronicle: "I understand there has been a rivalry between the teams, but I hope we can just let bygones be bygones.

"The majority of people will be perfectly happy to come and watch a game of football, but if anyone is thinking of anything else, then please stay away."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-on-course-to-appoint-Roy-Hodgson-next-week-despite-holding-talks-with-former-Real-Madrid-boss-Manuel-Pellegrini-article474687.html
Liverpool on course to appoint Hodgson next week despite Pellegrini talks

Kenny Dalglish has held talks with former Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini over the past few days, but MirrorFootball can reveal the Anfield club are still confident of landing Roy Hodgson.

The Fulham boss refused to be drawn on the subject when he appeared as a pundit on BBC1's coverage of Mexico's 2-0 World Cup victory over France.

When asked about his future, Hodgson said: I'm Fulham manager. I'm perfectly happy at Fulham. To be honest there's a lot of speculation but I can't enlighten you."

However, MirrorFootball understands that Liverpool insiders hope Hodgson can be appointed at Anfield as early as Thursday or Friday of next week.

Manuel Pellegrini's agent denied his client had met with Dalglish at Heathrow airport, but the 56 year-old was in England yesterday and is believed not just to have linked up with Liverpool's king-maker, but also to have expressed an interest in the job.

The Chilean was replaced by Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid last month after failing to secure major domestic or Euorpean honours in his first - and only - season in charge at the Bernabeu.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/cottagers-eye-villa-midfielder-1070750.html
Cottagers eye Villa midfielder

Fulham are thought to have made a bid to sign Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell as Roy Hodgson looks to strengthen his squad.

The former Reading midfielder has endured a frustrating time at Villa Park since he joined two seasons ago for £5million from Chelsea.

The 27-year-old has failed to establish himself in Martin O'Neill's side and has made just 23 Premier League starts for the club.

With only 12 months left on his current deal Villa are reportedly prepared to sell Sidwell in order to recoup some of the money they paid Chelsea for him.

Fulham are thought to have registered an interest in the midfielder with Hodgson looking to bolster his squad as he attempts to steer the west London outfit back into Europe.

Hodgson isn't prepared to match what Villa paid for Sidwell two years ago due to his inactivity since then but could be ready to part with £2million to bring the former Reading star to Craven Cottage.