One of Roy's friends? I have highlighted some interesting parts.
Full article here:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23941109-roy-hodgson-finds-his-mojo-again-and-proves-he-still-has-a-lot-to-offer.doWhile Roy Hodgson's rehabilitation at West Brom does not prove Liverpool were wrong to sack him, events since he departed suggest his tenure at Anfield should be reassessed and his credibility restored.
Hodgson was unveiled at the Hawthorns on Valentine's Day when it was clear there was no love lost between the 63-year-old and his former employers after a turbulent six-month spell ended with an acrimonious split.
It is an unfortunate reality of life that reputations take years to build and moments to destroy. This time last year, Fulham were closing in on an unprecedented Europa League Final and Hodgson was about to become the League Managers' Association Manager of the Year.
Hodgson was emerging as Fabio Capello's natural successor for England, too, and a spell reviving Liverpool's fortunes would have been the natural stepping stone.
Yet a catastrophe ensued and Hodgson became a figure heavily mocked for his perceived inability to handle big players and act with authority at a club of Liverpool's size. He was out of his depth, so the consensus would have it. But at West Brom, Hodgson had little time to lick his wounds.
Rumours abound that Roberto di Matteo had been unable to control a fractious dressing room while supporters were split over the Italian's departure.
Many fans heavily criticised chairman Jeremy Peace's decision given what West Brom had achieved in Di Matteo's 19 months in charge and a defeat at moneybags Manchester City - which proved the trigger for his removal - is hardly a disgrace for any club, let alone a newly-promoted one.
But Hodgson galvanised West Brom, steadied the ship and with last weekend's 3-2 away victory at Sunderland has all but secured another season in the top flight. So why could Hodgson not have a similarly calming influence at Liverpool? Of course, the job was an altogether bigger proposition; the history associated with the Reds is among the grandest in world football.
Many Liverpool supporters will claim Hodgson did not understand the club and it took Kenny Dalglish to restore the pride to a beleaguered set of a players and fans. Dalglish's impact has been impressive but he is not a better manager than Hodgson.
Six months is not long enough to conclusively prove whether Hodgson could have been a success at Anfield but what is clear is that during that period there were decisions he was simply unable to take.
Undoubtedly the biggest of these would have been to sell Fernando Torres. Had Hodgson's first act upon being named Liverpool manager been to announce the departure of their prize asset, he would have been strung up on the bridge by the M62 next to manikins of Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney.
It would have completely undermined Hodgson's appointment - already greeted dubiously in certain quarters - and yet Torres' departure has reinvigorated Liverpool as much as anything Dalglish has done.
You have to feel for Torres - after a stunning period of form, he was a disappointing figure in a Spain squad that had enough talent to win the World Cup with him as a passenger and thereafter, Liverpool struggled badly as he led the line. Chelsea have since been thrown into attacking disarray after he became Roman Abramovich's £50million plaything.
Hodgson scouted both Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, commenting on the latter: "He was on everyone's radar - the question was, who would have the money to buy him?"
Well, Liverpool certainly didn't and only by selling Torres could any sizeable funds be generated. While Paul Konchesky and Christian Poulsen have been unconvincing, Raul Meireles was a Hodgson signing and Joe Cole joining on a free transfer represented something of a coup at the time.
Hodgson, of course, had his failings and Liverpool fans were glad to see him go. This is not to argue that he was a success - far from it - but more that the conditions were such that his mistakes would never be tolerated.
Had Hodgson's Liverpool exited Europe to Braga, far more searching questions would have been asked of him than ever were of Dalglish.
Hodgson was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Keeping West Brom in the top flight is not an achievement equal to restoring Liverpool to greatness but it supports the notion that his failure on Merseyside was an anomaly rather than proof he should never again manage a big club - or even his country.
« Last Edit: Apr 14, 2011 12:24:12 am by red_squirrel »
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