Wednesday Fulham Stuff (30/06/10)...

[WhiteJC]

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.

[Tom]

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.

[WhiteJC]

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.

[WhiteJC]

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.

[WhiteJC]

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.

[WhiteJC]

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.

[WhiteJC]

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,

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/June/HangelandNewSeason.aspx?
A New Campaign



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

[WhiteJC]

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.

[WhiteJC]

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.

[WhiteJC]

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.

[WhiteJC]

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.

[WhiteJC]

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."

[WhiteJC]

BBC Sport - Football - FA wrong to leave Fabio Capello in limbo - Eriksson
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.

[WhiteJC]

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.

[WhiteJC]

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.

[WhiteJC]

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."

[WhiteJC]

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.

[WhiteJC]

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.

[WhiteJC]

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 Hodgson
By Nick Harris
30 June 2010

As 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."