Roy Hodgson dismissed as Liverpool turn to Kenny

ROY Hodgson has left Liverpool by mutual consent with immediate effect.  A statement on the club website confirmed the Englishman’s dismissal today, after a string of poor results.  Former Reds manager Kenny Dalglish has been installed as manager until the end of the season, with the Scot racing back from a holiday abroad to take charge of the team’s FA Cup trip to Manchester United tomorrow afternoon.

Principal owner John Henry released the news this morning, with the following message; “We are grateful for Roy's efforts over the past six months, but both parties thought it in the best interests of the club that he stand down from his position as team manager. We wish him all the best for the future."

GONE: Roy Hodgson got the chop this morning as Liverpool boss

Hodgson, 63, was installed as manager in the summer of Liverpool, after Rafa Benitez’s acrimonious departure.  He came with a big reputation, having guided Fulham to the UEFA Europa League final last season and also managing Switzerland to the last 16 in the 1994 World Cup finals.  Shortly after taking over, he convinced star players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to commit their long-term futures to the club.  Joe Cole arrived on a free transfer from champions Chelsea, but after that, it all started to go downhill for Roy.

The fans never seemed to question his appointment from the start and results simply didn’t come.  Liverpool were embarrassingly knocked out of the Carling Cup on September 22 by League Two strugglers Northampton Town at Anfield on penalties and less than two weeks later, Blackpool won 2-1 at Anfield, which left Liverpool in their lowest league position for over 40 years. 

The takeover of the club by John Henry and Thomas Werner provided Hodgson with some respite, and progress was made in the Europa League, with a super Gerrard performance seeing off Serie A high-flyers Napoli.  League form also improved briefly, with a Maxi Rodriguez late winner seeing the Reds secure their only away win of the season at Bolton Wanderers, then two terrific Torres goals bought Chelsea down to defeat at the beginning of November. 

Sadly, that was the high for Hodgson in his tumultuous reign at Anfield.  Awful away form, coupled with a horrific home defeat to bottom side Wolves and the dismal form of new signings Raul Meireles and Paul Konchesky.  Despite a bit of respite by a late win over Bolton Wanderers on New Year’s Day, another shambolic display on the road at Blackburn in midweek turned out to be the final straw for the board.  Seven wins in 22 FA Premier League matches with 12^th position in the league is simply unacceptable for a club of Liverpool’s stature, which left Roy in an untenable position. 

POPULAR: Kenny Dalglish is back, to the fans delight

He was LMA manager of the year last season, so it shows how fickle that football can be.  Overnight, he isn’t a bad manager and is certainly one of the nicest guys in the game.  However, Roy Hodgson proved out to be the wrong person at the wrong time and tested the patience of the fans to the limit.  He won’t be missed by many around Merseyside and the question is; can King Kenny turn around Liverpool’s ludicrous season. 

Victory at Old Trafford tomorrow in the FA Cup would be the best start. . .