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

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/jun/29/roy-hodgson-england-manager-crisis?
Roy Hodgson could provide the solution to England's identity crisis
As England lurch from scientific foreigner to tub-thumping patriot, Hodgson is the only candidate to offer the best of both words

The quotes write themselves. "He treats us like grown-ups." "He's put a smile back on our faces." When the FA eventually gets around to replacing Fabio Capello, those words, or something very like them, are likely to be the first uttered after the players emerge from their initial exposure to the new man's methods, with the undisguised suggestion that it was the last fellow's personality that was the problem all along, rather than the intrinsic quality of the squad at his disposal.

And when the man who put the smile back on their faces and gave them the key to the drinks cabinet is gone, his replacement will be welcomed with praise for his rigour, his iron discipline, his refusal to indulge a bunch of overpaid superstars, Until he, too, finds the task too great.

The business of appointing England managers is a drama as formal as a Noh play. When one method is perceived to have failed, there is a reflexive swing to the opposite extreme. In this the FA is encouraged and even led by the fans, who perceive in every defeat the failure of an entire set of values. A scientific foreigner is followed by a flag-waving Englishman, and then by a foreigner again. And so on.

One reason for this bipolar behaviour is the lack of a system for appointing managers within the FA. The age-group teams have their coaches, but little consideration is given to the possibility that a suitable candidate may rise up through the ranks to take control of the senior squad.

Continuity gives the comforting impression of a governing body in control of its own affairs. Sometimes it comes up with the right result, but not always. It was the principle through which Germany appointed Jupp Derwall to succeed Helmut Schön in 1978 and Berti Vogts to take over from Franz Beckenbauer 12 years later; all of them won major trophies, but the Mannschaft are now successfully in the hands of an incomer, Joachim Löw. A similar preference for long-term planning and in-house promotion carried France to the World Cup in 1998 with Aimé Jacquet and to the European championship two years later with his former assistant, Roger Lemerre. But this summer, with Raymond Domenech, the system broke down.

When the FA appointed Steve McClaren, Sven-Goran Eriksson's assistant, four years ago, it hoped to secure the benefits of continuity with the added ingredient of an Englishman's natural patriotic fervour. But the man and the moment were wrong, temporarily discrediting the idea of promoting a locally produced coach who had achieved decent results with an unfashionable club.

That formula may now be back in the minds of those FA men who control the national team's affairs, assuming they are of a mind to end their relationship with Capello. But if they want Roy Hodgson to replace the Italian, they had better hurry up. The 62-year-old Fulham manager is so much the flavour of the summer that it was a surprise he did not turn up at Glastonbury to introduce Shakira.

It seems that the power-brokers at Liverpool, having taken a few weeks to reflect on the next step after the dismissal of Rafael Benítez, are also keen to see Hodgson, who may even be installed at Anfield by Thursday, according to some reports. It would seem a perfect appointment. But then Hodgson currently looks like the perfect appointment to every vacancy in English football, particularly to the one that may or may not soon involve the national side.

His CV is an impressive one – if no match for Eriksson's or Capello's – and he has just finished a season in which he took Fulham, a club held in widespread affection, to the final of the Europa League. But there is more to it than that. What Hodgson represents, at this particular moment, is a yearning for a return to older values – in Liverpool's case those of the legendary Boot Room, in England's those of Alf Ramsey and Bobby Robson.

He is a football man, in the wonderfully plain phrase used by Arthur Hopcraft, once of this newspaper, as the title of his classic 1968 survey of the game in its birthplace. At a time of uncertainty, when it is becoming apparent that a Spanish or Italian coach of high achievement and vast earning power offers no guarantee of success, he seems to offer a certain kind of security.

But Hodgson is a football man with an added dimension of sophistication. Thanks to an early decision to seek his fortune in such places as Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Finland, Denmark and the UAE, he speaks five languages and is widely respected in European football. So he may offer, in a sense, the best of both worlds.

But why would Hodgson now seem an ideal candidate for two extremely demanding jobs when he was not considered last time they fell vacant? The answer lies in the fundamental insecurity afflicting English football, in a long-running crisis of identity that would best be eased, in the case of the national team, by the appointment of a modest, perceptive, articulate man with a deep understanding of the culture of the players who would be at his disposal, and a knowledge of their deficiencies as well as their merits. And then we can reassure ourselves that, after all, no World Cup has ever been won by a team with a foreign coach.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/worldcup/article-23850719-bobby-zamora-and-owen-hargreaves-are-not-the-answer-to-englands-future.do?
Bobby Zamora and Owen Hargreaves are not the answer to England's future

Just when you thought the gloom surrounding the England team couldn't get any worse coach Fabio Capello mentioned two names for the future: Bobby Zamora and Owen Hargreaves.

For many that admission alone will be the final evidence that the Italian should be removed from his position having arguably overseen the worst World Cup campaign in the nation's history.

Judging by the Football Association's refusal to back him yesterday it appears only a matter of time anyway, however while he can be blamed for picking the wrong team or an outdated formation in South Africa, it would be wrong to hold him accountable for a lack of talent to choose from.

n his final press briefing he was asked which players could reignite England in the European Championships qualifiers, which begin in September.

His sense of helplessness was clear for all to see. To be fair, apart from the 29-year-old uncapped Zamora and crocked Hargreaves, who has played just 30 seconds of football in two seasons, he also named Adam Johnson, Kieran Gibbs, Michael Dawson, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere.

Still, it is a list that is hardly going to strike fear in Hungary, who England meet in a friendly next month, let alone the powerhouses of European football right now in Germany, Spain and Holland. Far from revolution, it just sounds like we should expect more of the same.

Is it any wonder though when foreign players continue to dominate the squads of Premier League clubs, leaving little room for new talent to develop?

Statistics have shown that for the last few seasons the amount of English players in the top flight continues to hover around the 35 per cent mark, but that figure looks like it will only get worse not better.

"Where are the young players?" Capello moaned. "The best are in the Under-21 side but they are just not good enough at the moment."

Try telling that to the Germans. Four of the starting 11 who beat England 4-0 in the European Under-21 Championships last summer were instrumental in the 4-1 drubbing of the senior side in Bloemfontain on Sunday.

The difference between the two country's is not just what happened on the field that day, but the mentality when it comes to developing young players.

When they were knocked out of Euro 2000 at the group stage, huge investment was provided to create football schools, while greater emphasis was put on clubs to improve their academies.

Crucially as players developed they were given the chance to play in the top flight rather than seeing a foreigner take their place.

As former England international and FC Koln striker Tony Woodcock explains: "Younger players are getting a chance now in German football which was never the case. We can discuss reserve systems, second teams and winter-breaks, but the fact is that the players that have been given the chance in the Bundesliga over the past two seasons are now developing into top performers at the highest level.

"The authorities over there are very thorough. They've looked at youth development and they've tried to keep the same sort of methodical organisation, but also open it up and get a little bit more flair going in to it."

What a contrast to over here where so many young players are rotting in the reserves or loaned out to lower league clubs.

Just look at Daniel Sturridge. Blessed with great talent he has swapped the bench at Manchester City for another one at Chelsea.

Still if you asked any fan at Stamford Bridge who they would prefer to see up front, they would have no hesitation in saying Didier Drogba's name.

Club still comes before country in the mindset of most supporters let alone the powers that be, especially with the fortunes that can be won or lost in the Premier League.

Howard Wilkinson, who served as Technical Director at the FA between 1997-2001, first proposed the need for a National Football Centre 13 years ago. All the politics at the top level has seen delay after delay and at present the site at Burton will be completed in 2012, but a lot of time has been wasted.

He said: "When I was technical director from 1997, what Germany did is what I proposed and in part what we did for a while.

"But as we do in this country it got eroded and people weren't as privy to it as they should have been in power.

"We need to have more English players playing in the top flight, but given the popularity and competitive nature of the Premier League, the current number of English players reducing is going to get worse.

"You can't change it. You can't force clubs to play English players. We are stuck unless football is prepared to make some radical organisational changes in its structure.

"My view is that we have to put more resource and backing to providing tournament football for young international teams and we have to support that as opposed to now where it is very difficult to get players released."

The Premier League will argue they have already taken steps by introducing a new rule for next season which requires eight 'home-grown' players to be included in a squad of 25, but that clearly doesn't mean they will get a chance to play.

It is just a step in the right direction, which is timely considering England's Under-17's won the European Championships last month, the nation's first age-group title since 1993.

There is a lot of hope for that generation of players to be stars for the future. We have witnessed one group waste their opportunity, we can't afford another.

One of the biggest differences between England and Germany is the difference between how many players who played in the final of the European Under-21s Championships last year have played regularly for their clubs in the top flight.

England


Scott Loach
Watford's No 1. this season, but playing in the Championship is hardly preparation for international football.
Martin Cranie
Same applies for this Coventry defender.

Micah Richards
Started only half the Premier League games for Manchester City and is set to be sold as more expensive foreign talent is expected to arrive at Eastlands this summer.

Nedum Onuoha
Another talented youth product from Manchester City's youth ranks, but he was in the first XI just five times in the Premier League.

Kieran Gibbs
Talented left back at Arsenal, yet with Gael Clichy ahead of him his number of appearances didn't get to double figures.

Fabrice Muamba
One of the few to make a real impact in the top flight. The former Arsenal traineee only missed two Premier League games for Bolton and has a promising future.

Lee Cattermole
A knee injury disrupted the midfielder's season, but he still featured regularly for Sunderland, which is his third club in as many years.

Mark Noble
Promising talent from West Ham's Academy who is now a first team regular.

James Milner
The only one to make the progression into the senior squad after a good season at Aston Villa. Can expect many more games for England.

Adam Johnson
Impressed after moving from Middlesbrough to Manchester City in January and only just missed out on going to the World Cup.

Theo Walcott
Has become a fringe player at Arsenal and it affected his confidence. Ended up being surprisingly dropped by Fabio Capello after failing to impress in the friendlies before the tournament.

Germany


Manuel Neuer
Germany's No. 1 has been Schalke's starting goalkeeper for a few years now and has a wealth of experience in the Bundesliga at the age of just 24.

Andreas Beck
Plays regularly for unfancied 1899 Hoffenheim, but already has six caps for the senior Germany side.

Benedikt Howedes
Has progressed through the Schalke youth ranks from the age of 13 and is now an ever present in the team.

Jerome Boateng
Says it all that the Hamburg left back, who kept Milner quiet on Sunday, has even attracted the attention of Manchester City's millions and will play for them next season.

Sebastian Boenisch
Continuing to establish himself at another top flight club in Werder Bremen with 50 appearances in last three seasons.

Mats Hummels
He may not have made the grade at Bayern Munich, but the defender has starred for Borussia Dortmund since he moved there on a permanent basis last year.

Fabian Johnson
One of the few players from the team struggling to make much of an impact. Only made 10 appearances for Wolfsburg this season.

Gonzalo Castro
The 20-year-old made his debut for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and Champions League three years ago. He already has played 149 matches in Germany's top division.

Sami Khedira
This impressive midfielder has been at Stuttgart for 15 years and was part of their title winning side in 2007. Won his first cap nine months ago and was called up as Michael Ballack's replacement.

Mesut Ozil
One of the best players at the World Cup and it is no surprise having and played over 100 matches in the Bundesliga. His career took off after joining Werder Bremen from Schalke two years ago.

Sandro Wagner
The striker has yet to make his debut for Werder Bremen having joined from Second Division side MSV Duisburg in January.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/chris-kamara-fabio-capellos-position-untenable-14859072.html?
Chris Kamara: Fabio Capello's position 'untenable'

Chris Kamara has branded Fabio Capello's position "untenable".

The TV pundit has been in South Africa throughout the World Cup, paying special attention to England games and has been left aghast at the dismal performances the Three Lions have served up.

Capello and his players landed at Heathrow this morning but were whisked away without offering any further opinion on Sunday's shattering 4-1 defeat by Germany in Bloemfontein that consigned them to an early flight home.

After a meeting with Club England chairman Sir David Richards yesterday, Capello must now wait two weeks before he finds out whether he will be allowed to see out his recently revised £6million-a-year contract, that runs to Euro 2012.

Kamara feels the Italian has no chance and should go now.

"His position becomes untenable," he said.

"That is the worst performance at a tournament I have ever seen from an England team. That performance was shocking.

"The tactics were poor. The decisions he made were poor. He never got any cohesion around the squad. He failed basically.

"I am sure he is not going to walk away. The FA are going to have force him out.

"But it would be a hard, long way back now for him to convince people he is the right man for the job."

While Capello takes a short break, Richards will seek further discussions with Club England managing director Adrian Bevington, FA director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking and acting chief executive Alex Horne before making his recommendations to the full international board.

If Kamara had his way, the decision would be fairly straightforward.

"The manager's decisions were all poor," he said.

"We didn't play and we didn't have any tactical nous. But the manager is not big enough to hold his hands up and say 'it was my fault'."

A failure to admit his mistakes is one of the major complaints over Capello's management style.

England's players grew irritated by remaining in their rooms at a remote training location near Rustenburg for long periods, which an extended four-week build-up, that started with an altitude training camp in Austria, did not help.

Another major complaint was the staid, regimented adherence to the 4-4-2 approach, which seems to have limited use on the international front as the more fluid formations of Brazil, Argentina, Holland and Germany hold sway.

Wayne Rooney enjoyed a phenomenal season at Manchester United operating mainly as a lone striker, and huge calls to use him in that role, with Steven Gerrard just behind, went unheeded.

"Basically Fabio Capello got found out," said Kamara.

"We all know. Everybody knows. He played 4-4-2. He played a formation that didn't suit us.

"He is trying to make excuses for himself but he stuck with that formation and made like-for-like substitutions. The game and the pattern of the play never ever changed.

"The players tried to tell him. John Terry tried to tell him. Wayne Rooney, in the way that he played, tried to tell him. Joe Cole's body language off the bench. They all tried to tell him.

"They wanted to feel comfortable in the positions where they wanted to play. Unfortunately, the ostrich stuck its head in the sand."

Kamara's withering assault continued as he assessed Capello's belief that a winter break is needed to get the best out of England's player.

It has been pointed out the likes of Carlos Tevez and Dirk Kuyt still appear full of energy after an arduous Premier League season, and Kamara has little sympathy.

"It is a lot of rubbish," he said.

"Capello said they trained well enough, it was just the games.

"Well, don't train them so hard. Give them loads of time off if they are tired.

"Those players were ready for this competition. We know they were ready for this competition.

"It is the pattern of play or rather there wasn't a pattern if you are being honest.

"We were full of optimism going right into the last game. We wanted to give Fabio the benefit of the doubt.

"But it never changed. If anything, it got worse instead of better."



Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/chris-kamara-fabio-capellos-position-untenable-14859072.html?#ixzz0sJgeXwhh

[WhiteJC]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/arsenal/7861942/Arsenal-agree-Laurent-Koscielny-deal-and-turn-attention-to-Mark-Schwarzer.html?
Arsenal agree Laurent Koscielny deal and turn attention to Mark Schwarzer
Arsenal have reached a verbal agreement with Lorient on the £8.5million signing of centre-back Laurent Koscielny and will now turn their attention to clinching a deal for Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

The last details on Koscielny's contract are being finalised, with confirmation of his arrival expected within the next week.

Koscielny will effectively replace William Gallas as the likely centre-back partner to Thomas Vermaelen, with Arsène Wenger still hoping that Sol Campbell will agree an extra year on his contract and so provide defensive cover alongside Johan Djourou.

Campbell is also wanted by Celtic and, if he does move on, Wenger would be forced to sign a second new centre-back this summer.

Both Gallas, who turned down the offer of a one-year contract, and Mikaël Silvestre will become free agents at midnight on Wednesday when they reach the end of their respective contracts.

Agreement has also been reached for Francis Coquelin, a France Under-19 international, to move to Lorient on loan next season, while Arsenal will listen to offers for Eduardo.

The Croatia forward did agree a new contract at the end of last year, but Arsenal clearly cannot meet his desire for regular first-term football and Wenger is sympathetic to his predicament.

Eduardo still did not appear completely recovered last season from his horrific ankle injury, while Arsenal now also have new signing Marouane Chamakh competing with Robin Van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner to be the main central striker in the preferred 4-2-3-1 formation. There is a feeling that a fresh start may well suit both parties.

The interest in Schwarzer will encourage Arsenal supporters who have generally lost faith in Manuel Almunia as well as his deputy Lukasz Fabianski following mistakes at critical moments of last season.

Arsenal have been knocked back by Fulham with their initial inquiry, but will renew their interest and are hopeful of clinching a deal.

The situation with Joe Cole, who is now a free agent after being released by Chelsea, also remains fluid. Wenger will be mindful both of his age and recent injury record, but knows that the addition to his squad of another senior player with recent trophy-winning experience could be invaluable.

The signing of Cole would become far more likely, however, if Eduardo or Cesc Fabregas depart. Barcelona have had an offer of £29.2million turned down for Fabregas, with Arsenal expecting at least £45million for their captain.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/29/2001664/roy-hodgson-on-verge-of-resigning-from-fulham-to-force-liverpool-?
Roy Hodgson on verge of resigning from Fulham to force Liverpool switch
Chairman Al Fayed unwilling to let manager leave Craven Cottage

Roy Hodgson is on the verge of resigning from Fulham to force through his appointment as the new Liverpool manager, Goal.com UK can reveal.

Liverpool were granted permission to speak to the 62-year-old two weeks ago and were confident they could announce Hodgson as Rafael Benitez's successor on Thursday.

But Fulham owner and chairman Mohamed Al Fayed is digging in his heels because he does not want Hodgson to go.

Fayed does not believe that £2.5 million – the compensation clause written into Hodgson's 12-month rolling contract – is sufficient for a manager who took the club to their first European final last month and has been strongly linked with the England position.

It is understood Liverpool and Fulham have had discussions about the London club taking a number of young first-team fringe players from Merseyside to Craven Cottage to force through Hodgson's switch rather than pay a flat fee.

Talks have broken down over which players should be included in the deal and sources say Hodgson might have to resign in order to take over at Anfield.

Liverpool have decided to act quickly after the Football Association revealed it has given itself a fortnight to consider the future of Fabio Capello following England's humiliating World Cup exit.

Hodgson was unwilling to commit to Liverpool before England's make-or-break World Cup group game against Slovenia last week but has now decided that the challenge of managing a club of such prestige is too good to miss, despite boardroom instability.

Hodgson has already told the Anfield club that he wants to take his Fulham assistant Mike Kelly to Liverpool.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/29/fabio-capello-roy-hodgson-england-manager?
Support for Fabio Capello grows with Roy Hodgson Liverpool bound
• Key figures in FA ready to back England manager
• Options are limited if Capello is sacked

Fabio Capello received the public backing of one of the senior figures within the Football Association to stay in his job with Roy Hodgson, the leading candidate to replace him, on the verge of joining Liverpool.

The England manager arrived in London with his crestfallen England players today following their humiliating World Cup elimination to Germany having been told by Sir Dave Richards, the chairman of Club England, that no decision would be made on his future as the national manager for two weeks at the earliest. The Italian has since departed on holiday, although it is understood he already benefits from the support of influential figures within the FA to retain his post.

That could yet prove significant as Richards gauges opinion within and outside the game's governing body as to how to progress with the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign to begin in the autumn. The Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside, a member of the FA's main board and a close ally of Richards, voiced that support by telling the BBC tonight: "We've got the best man for the job. It's not his fault. I hope he stays and I think he will stay. He has done a good job and he needs to be able to get on with it. It's not about the money, we have to be strong."

Capello has made it clear to his employers that he does not intend to resign with two seasons remaining on his £6m-a-year contract, effectively placing the onus on them to sack him if they wish to instigate a change at the top. The financial reality of terminating the 64-year-old's contract, however, would force the FA into paying around £10m in compensation for the Champions League, Serie A and La Liga winning coach, a figure the body will instinctively consider prohibitive.

The FA's options for a potential successor appear to be dwindling with Liverpool on the brink of agreeing terms with the Fulham manager, Hodgson, to move to Merseyside. The 62-year-old has been the frontrunner to replace Rafael Benítez as Liverpool manager since the Spaniard accepted a £6m severance payoff to leave the club this month.

Hodgson has long coveted the England manager's job and told the Observer recently that the national position would represent "a crowning glory" in his nomadic career. Yet, despite the possibility of a vacancy arising at the FA within a fortnight, his appointment at Liverpool could be made official as early as today.

Negotiations between Anfield officials and the former Internazionale coach have advanced significantly since Hodgson's return from commentary duties in South Africa, to the extent that only the specifics of his contract have to be resolved. Liverpool are happy to meet the £2.5m compensation fee in Hodgson's 12-month rolling contract with Fulham, although a complication could be that he may have to quit Craven Cottage in order to clear the way for the move north. Yet they are confident the uncertainty over the club's ownership and the future of their leading players has not diminished Hodgson's desire to remain in club football at Anfield.

Liverpool, who have not qualified for next season's Champions League after their seventh-placed finish in the Premier League, had wanted Benítez's successor in place before their players return for pre-season training. The first batch of Liverpool players report back on Thursday, a second group are scheduled to return on Monday and their World Cup contingent will start pre-season training at staggered times throughout July depending on their nation's progress in South Africa. The club's assistant manager, Sammy Lee, will be at the helm in the event of their managerial search being prolonged.

As well as Hodgson, the former Real Madrid and Villarreal coach, Manuel Pellegrini, and the Marseille coach Didier Deschamps have all been linked with the Liverpool vacancy. Kenny Dalglish, who has been involved in the managerial search alongside Liverpool's managing director, Christian Purslow, made it known that he wanted the job in the absence of better qualified candidates. However, the Liverpool board wanted a manager who has been working in the game recently.

Deschamps, whose presence on the Liverpool short-list was revealed last week by the Marseille president, Jean-Claude Dassier, today signed a one-year extension to his contract with the French champions, taking him to 2012.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290685/Red-hot-Roy-Why-Hodgson-Liverpools-wanted-.html
Red hot for Roy: Why Hodgson became Liverpool's most wanted...

Roy Hodgson will be unveiled as the new Liverpool manager this afternoon. With Fabio Capello fighting to keep the England job after a disastrous World Cup, Hodgson had also been touted as a leading contender to replace the Italian. How has the 62-year-old from Croydon become the hottest asset in English football?

Fulham had just reached the Europa League semi-final courtesy of a 1-0 win in Wolfsburg - at that point arguably the biggest game in their 131-year history - and Roy Hodgson was asked how he felt to be flying the flag for English football. 'It'll help our UEFA co-efficient,' he replied, without a hint of irony.

It was pure Hodgson: straightlaced to the point of suffocation but making an intelligent, considered point. He does not deal in vacuous, off-the-cuff soundbites and devours Jewish-American fiction (Philip Roth, Isaac Bashevis Singer and Saul Bellow) in his spare time.

Hodgson is a manager who spends his days honing, organising and coaching on the training pitch. He was - briefly, from 1972-73 at Alleyn's School in south-west London - a PE teacher, after all.

'Of course it's nice for people to believe some managers are born with a magical quality that will transform bad into good, but I don't,' he says. 'It's about leadership skills, practice, repetition and bloody hard work.'

Repetition is the cornerstone of Hodgson's success. There were grumblings from within Fabio Capello's World Cup squad that the Italian didn't spend enough time on 'pattern of play' drills, but Hodgson's Fulham did this every day. Fellow coaches and managers, such as Steve Coppell and Glenn Roeder, often attended sessions to watch the 62-year-old in action.

'Every day in training is geared towards team shape on the match day coming up,' said midfielder Simon Davies. 'Every day is team shape and it shows.

'He gets the 11 that he wants on a match day and he drills everything in that he wants. There are no diagrams. It's all on the pitch with the ball, nothing unopposed.'

Hodgson has described his approach as 'player-orientated'. Words 'spill out left, right and centre' from a man who speaks five languages. His players know exactly what he expects and how they can be successful in their ascribed roles. They also know who's playing more than two hours before kick-off.

After failing to make the grade at Crystal Palace and playing non- League football, Hodgson gained his full coaching badge aged just 23. He followed the likes of Don Howe, Sir Bobby Robson and Terry Venables - tracksuited English coaches who relished their 'time on the grass', as Robson called it.

With Hodgson it was 11 versus 11 every day, the manager stopping play to make a tactical or technical point, or to tell a player they weren't in the right position at the right time. Hodgson was at the heart of everything, in his shorts with his socks pulled up to his knees.

Zoltan Gera said: 'We do the same thing in every session and sometimes it gets boring but we know it's working so I'm happy to do it. Put it this way, when I wake up in the middle of the night I know what I need to do in the game, I know everything about how we play.'

Fulham players could have slotted back into position in their sleep last season but, for all Hodgson's emphasis on repetition, he is not a man resistant to change. Quite the opposite, in fact. It is part of the reason the League Managers' Association's manager of the year has rarely been out of work during a 33-year coaching career.

At Fulham he introduced a basketball defensive system, called a 'zonal trap', where his team moved as a unit when protecting their goal. When he joined Inter Milan in 1995 he asked Italian World Cup winner Giuseppe Bergomi, who had always marked man-to-man, to mark zonally. The team switched from a libero system to a back four and Hodgson asked Bergomi to play at right back.

After taking over at Hamstad in 1976, his first management role, Hodgson and his great friend Bob Houghton revolutionised Swedish football. They abandoned man-to-man marking all over the field in favour of a zonal approach. It is no wonder Hodgson tends to bristle at the suggestion he is an old-fashioned manager.

Now he will find himself rebuilding a Liverpool side bereft of confidence and star quality, against a backdrop of high expectations. Hodgson will need to draw heavily on those decades of experience.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290685/Red-hot-Roy-Why-Hodgson-Liverpools-wanted-.html#ixzz0sJiWZlCe

[WhiteJC]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7862114/Fulham-poised-to-make-move-for-Sven-Goran-Eriksson-to-fill-gap-left-by-Roy-Hodgson.html?
Fulham poised to make move for Sven-Goran Eriksson to fill gap left by Roy Hodgson
Fulham are set to move for the former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson to replace the departing Roy Hodgson, who looks likely to take over at Liverpool.

The Swede was considered by Fulham before the appointment of Hodgson in December 2007 and the Europa League finalists have identified Eriksson as the coach to maintain the club's progress.

Before Hodgson appointment, the club's then chief executive, David McNally, had approached Eriksson and the two parties were close to an agreement before the appointment was vetoed by chairman Mohamed Fayed.

Other candidates include Mark Hughes and Tony Mowbray. Alistair Mackintosh, Fulham's chief executive, worked with former Wales manager Hughes at Manchester City and remains an admirer.

However, it is felt that Eriksson's success, particularly in Italian football, and experience managing three international teams, offers better credentials.

Eriksson who managed Ivory Coast during the World Cup, is available following the African team's elimination from the tournament.

He said recently that he was open to offers and, having enjoyed relative success during his time at Manchester City, would relish the opportunity to return to the Premier League.

Eriksson coached in Sweden and Portugal, with Benfica, before spells in Italian football with Roma, Sampdoria and Lazio. With the latter, he won the European Cup-Winners' Cup and reached a Uefa Cup final while also winning Serie A, in 2000.

Eriksson's most high-profile job was as manager of England, taking them to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2002 and 2006. He has not managed at club level since leaving City two years ago, when the fans took part in a march in an attempt to persuade the owners not to sack him.

He had a short, unsuccessful spell at Notts County, then in League Two, as director of football earlier this year.

The only potential stumbling block could be Eriksson's wage demands.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290692/Alan-Curbishley-tops-Fulham-wish-list-search-Hodgson-successor.html?ITO=1490
Alan Curbishley tops Fulham wish-list as they search for Hodgson successor

Alan Curbishley has been installed as the clear favourite to replace Liverpool-bound Roy Hodgson as manager of Fulham.

The former Charlton and West Ham boss is on a short-list at Craven Cottage which also includes Sven Goran Eriksson and Mark Hughes.

Former England manager Eriksson, who is a free agent after standing down as Ivory Coast coach, is aware of Fulham's interest and would be tempted by a return to the Barclays Premier League.

As for Hughes, his decision to reject the chance of a lucrative contract with Dubai team Al Ahli, despite two days of talks, means he remains on the market.

However, the cost of bringing either Eriksson or Hughes to Craven Cottage would seem to be prohibitive. That has opened the door for Curbishley, who has not managed since parting company with West Ham in September 2008.

The 52-year-old is no stranger to working on a tight budget, which is likely to appeal to Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed, having excelled on a shoestring with Charlton during 15 largely successful years at The Valley.

Whoever takes over is likely to have to field a bid for Brede Hangeland from Hodgson after his Anfield move.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290692/Alan-Curbishley-tops-Fulham-wish-list-search-Hodgson-successor.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0sJjkW2XD

[WhiteJC]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/29/2002088/napoli-target-fulham-and-usa-international-clint-dempsey?
Napoli target Fulham and USA international Clint Dempsey - report

Italian club Napoli, who have qualified for this seasons Europa League, are interested in signing Fulham and United States attacking midfielder Clint Dempsey during the summer transfer window, as their search for attacking options continues, according to Italian newspaper Il Mattino.

Dempsey hit the headlines against Napoli's rivals Juventus in March of this year when he sensationally chipped Antonio Chimenti to end Juve's Europa League campaign, as they crashed out to a humiliating 4-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.

Fellow United States international and Villarreal striker Jozy Altidore is also on Naploi's radar, with the American's loan deal at Hull City ending in June and his future at the Spanish club in doubt.

Both Altidore and Dempsey featured for the United States in this summer's World Cup tournament in South Africa, with Dempsey scoring an equaliser against England in the opening game before crashing out in the knockout stages to Ghana after extra-time.

Dempsey signed an extension to his Fulham contract last summer, and is contracted to the club until 2013, so the Cottagers are in a strong position to fight off any advances made by the Italian club.

However, uncertainty regarding the possible resignation of Fulham manager Roy Hodgson to allow for a move to Liverpool could see Dempsey push for a move away from Craven Cottage.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/06/30/2002148/breaking-news-liverpool-to-unveil-roy-hodgson-as-manager?
BREAKING NEWS: Liverpool To Unveil Roy Hodgson As Manager After Agreeing £2m Compensation Package With Fulham
Hodgson set to replace Benitez at Anfield helm...

Liverpool will unveil Roy Hodgson as their new manager on Wednesday having agreed a £2 million compensation package with Premier League rivals Fulham for his services.

Hodgson will replace Rafael Benitez, now at Inter, who left Anfield on June 3 following a disappointing season and continuous clashes with the Liverpool hierarchy.

Discussions have been ongoing since early June and while it was reported Hodgson would wait for the outcome of talks between England manager Fabio Capello and the FA before making any concrete decision, it seems the delay was simply a case of financial negotiations between Fulham and the Reds.

Hodgson's first task will be to resolve the futures of key players such as Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun, all of whom have been linked with moves away from the club.

Hodgson is not new to high level management, having himself managing at Inter, while he also been in charge of Switzerland and Finland on the international scene, as well as winning league championships in Sweden and Denmark with Malmo and Copenhagen respectively.

Although the draw has yet to be made, Liverpool begin their season in late July in the third qualifying phase of the Europa League.

[WhiteJC]

http://cottagers.blogspot.com/2010/06/bye-woy-thanks-fro-everything.html?
Bye Woy. Thanks for everything!

It appears that Woy has finally left the building - the allure of the big club on hard times was just too much. I can fully understand his decision and he has worked wonders with Fulham in order to be even linked with that kind of job. But why Liverpool? I'm going to struggle to wish him well while he's there. Growing up in East Manchester in the 80s when Liverpool were winning everything meant that I knew more Liverpool fans than Man City fans.

Still I hope he does well, but not great. Consistent Europa League qualification will do Woy. The Champions League is old news.

As for replacements? Well this news certainly brings a narrative to the up coming season which wasn't necessarily there before. No-one really knew what Fulham would do next with Woy at the helm. Now there is a clear ambition - survival! Personally I think Alan Curbishley would be a safe pair of hands, but after a season in which Fulham reached a European final, would the fans be happy with that? It's going to be an interesting few months.

[Tom]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7862114/Fulham-poised-to-make-move-for-Sven-Goran-Eriksson-to-fill-gap-left-by-Roy-Hodgson.html?
Fulham poised to make move for Sven-Goran Eriksson to fill gap left by Roy Hodgson
Fulham are set to move for the former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson to replace the departing Roy Hodgson, who looks likely to take over at Liverpool.

The Swede was considered by Fulham before the appointment of Hodgson in December 2007 and the Europa League finalists have identified Eriksson as the coach to maintain the club's progress.

Before Hodgson appointment, the club's then chief executive, David McNally, had approached Eriksson and the two parties were close to an agreement before the appointment was vetoed by chairman Mohamed Fayed.

Other candidates include Mark Hughes and Tony Mowbray. Alistair Mackintosh, Fulham's chief executive, worked with former Wales manager Hughes at Manchester City and remains an admirer.

However, it is felt that Eriksson's success, particularly in Italian football, and experience managing three international teams, offers better credentials.

Eriksson who managed Ivory Coast during the World Cup, is available following the African team's elimination from the tournament.

He said recently that he was open to offers and, having enjoyed relative success during his time at Manchester City, would relish the opportunity to return to the Premier League.

Eriksson coached in Sweden and Portugal, with Benfica, before spells in Italian football with Roma, Sampdoria and Lazio. With the latter, he won the European Cup-Winners' Cup and reached a Uefa Cup final while also winning Serie A, in 2000.

Eriksson's most high-profile job was as manager of England, taking them to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2002 and 2006. He has not managed at club level since leaving City two years ago, when the fans took part in a march in an attempt to persuade the owners not to sack him.

He had a short, unsuccessful spell at Notts County, then in League Two, as director of football earlier this year.

The only potential stumbling block could be Eriksson's wage demands.

Just threw up in my mouth reading this.

[Tom]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2010/06/29/2002088/napoli-target-fulham-and-usa-international-clint-dempsey?
Napoli target Fulham and USA international Clint Dempsey - report

Italian club Napoli, who have qualified for this seasons Europa League, are interested in signing Fulham and United States attacking midfielder Clint Dempsey during the summer transfer window, as their search for attacking options continues, according to Italian newspaper Il Mattino.

Dempsey hit the headlines against Napoli's rivals Juventus in March of this year when he sensationally chipped Antonio Chimenti to end Juve's Europa League campaign, as they crashed out to a humiliating 4-1 defeat at Craven Cottage.

Fellow United States international and Villarreal striker Jozy Altidore is also on Naploi's radar, with the American's loan deal at Hull City ending in June and his future at the Spanish club in doubt.

Both Altidore and Dempsey featured for the United States in this summer's World Cup tournament in South Africa, with Dempsey scoring an equaliser against England in the opening game before crashing out in the knockout stages to Ghana after extra-time.

Dempsey signed an extension to his Fulham contract last summer, and is contracted to the club until 2013, so the Cottagers are in a strong position to fight off any advances made by the Italian club.

However, uncertainty regarding the possible resignation of Fulham manager Roy Hodgson to allow for a move to Liverpool could see Dempsey push for a move away from Craven Cottage.

Not going to happen!

[WhiteJC]

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Liverpool-Roy-Hodgson-Will-Be-Unveiled-As-The-New-Liverpool-Manager-Says-Liverpool-Echo/Article/201006415656935?f=rss
Roy Hodgson 'Confirmed As New Liverpool Boss'

Roy Hodgson will be confirmed as the new Liverpool manager, the Liverpool Echo is reporting.

The paper claims the 62-year-old is to be announced as Rafael Benitez's replacement after the Reds agreed a £2m compensation package with Fulham.

Negotiations had been going on between Liverpool's managing director Christian Purslow and Fulham's chief executive Alastair Mackintosh to release Hodgson.

The Echo reports he was always the frontrunner for the job, despite interest from former manager Kenny Dalglish.

Other names included former Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini and Galatasary's Frank Rijkaard.

The Liverpool post will be Hodgson's 16th managerial position in a career that has spanned almost 35 years.

He began managing at Swedish side Halmstads in 1976 before moving to other clubs including Inter Milan.

His first job in the Premier League was with Blackburn in 1997, when the side finished 6th in his first season and qualified for the UEFA cup.

But his second season in charge did not go to plan and he was sacked.

More foreign managerial roles followed until December 2007 when Hodgson was the surprise appointment at Fulham.

He had a difficult start, with the side picking up nine points from his first 13 league games.

But a run of 12 points from the last five games of the season secured their survival in the Premier League on the last day of the season.

The following season Fulham finished in 7th place and ensured qualification for the UEFA Europa League.

In the 2009-10 season Hodgson enjoyed an impressive run in the Europa League, taking Fulham to the final where they lost 2-1 to Athletico Madrid.

The news of his appointment has been met with mixed reactions from fans.

On Twitter Lainey_baby wrote: "Liverpool's new manager Roy Hodgson woo hoo. Come d pool."

But knricketritt wrote: "I urge all Liverpool fans to get behind Roy, Lord knows he'll need it."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290736/Roy-Hodgson-agrees-3m-year-deal-new-Liverpool-manager.html?ITO=1490
Roy Hodgson agrees £3m-a-year deal to become new Liverpool manager

Roy Hodgson will be named Liverpool manager today after agreeing a two-year deal to replace Rafa Benitez.

Anfield bosses have ended a month-long search for Benitez's successor after assessing a short-list that also included Manuel Pellegrini and Didier Deschamps.

Hodgson's experience and recent track record at Fulham gave him a decisive edge, and he will begin his Anfield reign with immediate effect on a two-year deal worth around £3million a year. Fulham will receive around £2.5m in compensation.

The 62-year old will bring assistant-manager and goalkeeping coach Mike Kelly with him to Anfield and will waste no time trying to persuade Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to stay put.

Gerrard is a leading target for the Spanish club along with Chelsea left back Ashley Cole. Real director general Jorge intend to bring in two more players, following the arrival of Argentina winger Angel di Maria from Benfica in a £20million deal.

Alan Curbishley has been installed as the clear favourite to replace Hodgson as manager of Fulham. The former Charlton and West Ham boss is on a short list at Craven Cottage which also includes Sven Goran Eriksson and Mark Hughes.

Former England manager Eriksson, who is a free agent after standing down as Ivory Coast coach, is aware of Fulham's interest and would be tempted by a return to the Premier League. Hughes has rejected the chance of a lucrative contract with Dubai team Al Ahli.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1290736/Roy-Hodgson-agrees-3m-year-deal-new-Liverpool-manager.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0sJmMA74n

[WhiteJC]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/30/liverpool-roy-hodgson-new-manager?
Roy Hodgson set to be confirmed as Liverpool's new manager
• Anfield club happy to pay Fulham £2m compensation
• Hodgson also touted among candidates for England job

Liverpool are on the verge of naming Roy Hodgson as their new manager.

The 62-year-old has been the frontrunner to replace Rafael Benítez as Liverpool manager since the Spaniard accepted a £6m severance pay-off to leave the club earlier this month. The Fulham manager also has admirers within the Football Association and has been touted among the leading candidates to succeed Fabio Capello following England's dismal failure at the World Cup.

Hodgson has long coveted the England manager's job but, despite the possibility of the vacancy arising within a fortnight, he looks set to be confirmed as Liverpool's new manager possibly as early as today.

Negotiations between Anfield officials and the former Internazionale coach have advanced significantly since Hodgson's return from commentary duties in South Africa, to the extent that only the specifics of his Liverpool contract have now to be resolved. Liverpool are happy to meet the £2.5m compensation fee payable to Fulham under the terms of Hodgson's 12-month rolling contract at Craven Cottage.

Liverpool are confident the uncertainty over the club's ownership and the future of their leading players has not diminished Hodgson's desire to remain in club football at Anfield. Liverpool, who have not qualified for next season's Champions League due to a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League last term, had ideally wanted Benítez's successor in place before their players return for pre-season training. The first batch of Liverpool players report back tomorrow, a second group are scheduled to return on Monday and their World Cup contingent will start pre-season training at staggered times throughout July depending on their nation's progress in South Africa. The club's assistant manager, Sammy Lee, will be at the helm in the event of their managerial search being prolonged.

As well as Hodgson, the former Real Madrid and Villarreal coach, Manuel Pellegrini, and Marseille coach Didier Deschamps have all been linked with the Liverpool vacancy. Club legend Kenny Dalglish, who has been involved in the managerial search alongside Liverpool's managing director, Christian Purslow, made it known that he wanted the job in the absence of better qualified candidates. However, the Liverpool board wanted a manager who has been working in the game.

Deschamps, whose presence on the Liverpool short-list was revealed last week by the Marseille president, Jean-Claude Dassier, today signed a one-year extension to his contract with the French champions. "After the season that we have experienced there is still work to do," said Deschamps, who is now under contract at Stade Vélodrome until 2012. "A great club asked me. I am very flattered but if I ask for respect from my players the least I can do is to be comparable in my commitment to the club. I owe it to the OM."

It is unknown whether Liverpool have offered Hodgson a short-term contract given the public declaration from Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the club's deeply unpopular co-owners, to sell the club once their asking price is met.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-boss-hodgson-under-pressure-take-liverpool-job-941311?
Fulham boss Hodgson under pressure to take Liverpool job


Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is under pressure to make a decision about his future.

The London Evening Standard says Hodgson must decide whether take the Liverpool manager's job or watch developments at the Football Association regarding Fabio Capello's future as England coach.

The majority of Premier League clubs return to training next week and Liverpool are pressing for an answer from the Fulham manager.

Influential members of the FA also favour Hodgson to take over from Capello if the Italian is sacked.

The situation at Anfield, where the club are looking to cut costs next season and are prepared to sell both Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres, may influence his decision.

At 62, Hodgson may feel that the England job has come at the right time for him, rather than accept the day-to-day challenge of Liverpool.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/7862336/Roy-Hodgson-seeking-cash-guarantee-before-he-considers-joining-Liverpool.html?
Roy Hodgson seeking cash guarantee before he considers joining Liverpool

Liverpool are understood to be extremely close to agreeing terms with Roy Hodgson to become their new manager. However Hodgson is still seeking assurances from the club's owners over what proportion of funds from player sales will be made available to strengthen the squad.

On Tuesday night, Liverpool agreed a compensation package with Fulham, who have been seeking £2.5 million to release the 62-year-old from his contract, and talks continued to progress positively.

Hodgson is understood to have one or two issues that he wants to resolve before he signs a contract at Anfield although it is still hoped he will be presented as Rafael Benitez's successor by the end of this week. It's not thought Hodgson's demands are prohibitive.

If Hodgson does move then it will end a long process with Liverpool have initially sought permission to speak to him four weeks ago. Fulham were reluctant to allow that while it also appeared the Anfield club were looking at other candidates.

Liverpool are believed to have around £15 million set aside to bolster a squad which finished a disappointing seventh in the Premier League last season, though club sources admit that will be reduced by whatever compensation is paid to Fulham.

Though Anfield's financial straits preclude any increase on that figure, Hodgson is thought to be concerned at the prospect of losing several of Liverpool's most valuable assets and not being handed the finances to boost his resources.

Should he take over at Anfield, his first task is likely to be rubber-stamping Yossi Benayoun's £5.5 million switch to Chelsea, while Javier Mascherano is expected to depart.

Doubts continue to linger over the futures of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, too. Though reports that Real Madrid have lodged a £20 million offer for the Liverpool and England captain are believed to be premature, the Spanish side's new manager, Jose Mourinho, is a known admirer of the 30-year-old.

Gerrard, like Torres, is concerned that the continuing doubts over Liverpool's owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, may compromise the club's ability to compete on and off the field and, while he has not yet made a decision on where he will play next season, he is known to be considering his future.

His strike partner, meanwhile, is the subject of concerted interest from Chelsea, while the new Barcelona president, Sandro Rosell, has also made it clear he would like to tempt the Spanish international back to his homeland, though any such deal would be dependent on the sale of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Liverpool's senior players have been kept informed of developments in the club's search for Benitez's replacement and have raised no objections to the appointment of the Fulham manager, but Hodgson is nevertheless likely to seek talks with Gerrard and Torres in a bid to keep them on Merseyside.

Should either choose to leave, though, he does not wish to suffer a repeat of Benitez's final summer at Liverpool, when the Spaniard discovered he had far less money to spend than he had previously thought.

The former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has emerged as Hodgson's most likely replacement at Craven Cottage should he accept Liverpool's offer.

Other candidates include Tony Mowbray. Mark Hughes, who has also been linked to the job, turned down an approach from the Dubai club Al Ahli to become their manager on Tuesday.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.lfconline.com/news/tmnw/hodgson_to_be_confirmed_later_today_534181/index.shtml?
Hodgson to be confirmed later today

Roy Hodgson will be named the new Liverpool manager after agreeing terms with the club.
According to The Guardian:

Negotiations between Anfield officials and the former Internazionale coach have advanced significantly since Hodgson's return from commentary duties in South Africa, to the extent that only the specifics of his Liverpool contract have now to be resolved. Liverpool are happy to meet the £2.5m compensation fee payable to Fulham under the terms of Hodgson's 12-month rolling contract at Craven Cottage.

As well as Hodgson, the former Real Madrid and Villarreal coach, Manuel Pellegrini, and Marseille coach Didier Deschamps have all been linked with the Liverpool vacancy. Club legend Kenny Dalglish, who has been involved in the managerial search alongside Liverpool's managing director, Christian Purslow, made it known that he wanted the job in the absence of better qualified candidates. However, the Liverpool board wanted a manager who has been working in the game.

Deschamps, whose presence on the Liverpool short-list was revealed last week by the Marseille president, Jean-Claude Dassier, today signed a one-year extension to his contract with the French champions. "After the season that we have experienced there is still work to do," said Deschamps, who is now under contract at Stade Vélodrome until 2012. "A great club asked me. I am very flattered but if I ask for respect from my players the least I can do is to be comparable in my commitment to the club. I owe it to the OM."

It is unknown whether Liverpool have offered Hodgson a short-term contract given the public declaration from Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the club's deeply unpopular co-owners, to sell the club once their asking price is met.