Gerrard backs Reds manager
Source: Agencies |
July 2, 2010, Friday
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LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard has welcomed the appointment of Roy Hodgson as manager of the club.
Hodgson was appointed as Liverpool manager yesterday on a three-year contract as the Premier League club attempts to return to the Champions League after a disappointing season.
Speaking on Liverpoolfc.tv, Gerrard said, "He's the right man for LFC. The club have made a good appointment in Roy Hodgson.
"Rafa left a few weeks ago and I know the club were determined to take their time and get the right man for the job.
"Roy is hugely experienced and I believe he is the right man for Liverpool. I think it's been worth the wait and I'm sure he's just keen now to get on with it and start to quickly put in place his plans for the new season."
Benitez left Liverpool to join Inter Milan after the 2009 Premier League runner-up slumped to seventh place last season. The Spaniard took Liverpool to the Champions League title in his first season but failed to win the English league title the club last won in 1990.
Last season's seventh-place finish was Liverpool's worst for 11 years and a key factor in Benitez's departure.
"This is the biggest job in club football and I'm honored to be taking on the role of manager of Britain's most successful football club," Hodgson told the Liverpool Website. "I look forward to meeting the players and the supporters and getting down to work at Melwood."
The 62-year-old Englishman, who led Fulham to the Europa League final last season, saved the west London club from relegation in 2008 and guided it to an all-time best seventh place a season later.
Fulham dipped to 12th this season.
Hodgson will face a number challenges, including the uncertainty of a club sale and the financial constraints that come with failing to qualify for the Champions League.
American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, who bought Liverpool three years ago, have put the club up for sale after a public fallout over the running of the club. Liverpool is now heavily in debt.
The lack of success this season has led to speculation that star players such as Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres could move to other clubs.
The financial troubles will likely mean less cash available to buy players.
Mixed response
Hodgson's expected appointment had received a mixed response on Merseyside but once it was made official, many fans and former players welcomed his arrival and suggested this could be the start of a new era at Liverpool.
"After having foreign managers in Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez, it seems there was a thought process of going back to British," former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson said. "The club needs a steadying influence and Roy will provide that. He's done a fantastic job at Fulham and has a wealth of experience having managed all over Europe."
In a 34-year coaching career, Hodgson has had spells in England, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and Italy, where he was twice in charge of Inter Milan. He has also coached Finland, the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland and acted as a technical adviser to UEFA, European football's governing body.
Hodgson was appointed as Liverpool manager yesterday on a three-year contract as the Premier League club attempts to return to the Champions League after a disappointing season.
Speaking on Liverpoolfc.tv, Gerrard said, "He's the right man for LFC. The club have made a good appointment in Roy Hodgson.
"Rafa left a few weeks ago and I know the club were determined to take their time and get the right man for the job.
"Roy is hugely experienced and I believe he is the right man for Liverpool. I think it's been worth the wait and I'm sure he's just keen now to get on with it and start to quickly put in place his plans for the new season."
Benitez left Liverpool to join Inter Milan after the 2009 Premier League runner-up slumped to seventh place last season. The Spaniard took Liverpool to the Champions League title in his first season but failed to win the English league title the club last won in 1990.
Last season's seventh-place finish was Liverpool's worst for 11 years and a key factor in Benitez's departure.
"This is the biggest job in club football and I'm honored to be taking on the role of manager of Britain's most successful football club," Hodgson told the Liverpool Website. "I look forward to meeting the players and the supporters and getting down to work at Melwood."
The 62-year-old Englishman, who led Fulham to the Europa League final last season, saved the west London club from relegation in 2008 and guided it to an all-time best seventh place a season later.
Fulham dipped to 12th this season.
Hodgson will face a number challenges, including the uncertainty of a club sale and the financial constraints that come with failing to qualify for the Champions League.
American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, who bought Liverpool three years ago, have put the club up for sale after a public fallout over the running of the club. Liverpool is now heavily in debt.
The lack of success this season has led to speculation that star players such as Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres could move to other clubs.
The financial troubles will likely mean less cash available to buy players.
Mixed response
Hodgson's expected appointment had received a mixed response on Merseyside but once it was made official, many fans and former players welcomed his arrival and suggested this could be the start of a new era at Liverpool.
"After having foreign managers in Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez, it seems there was a thought process of going back to British," former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson said. "The club needs a steadying influence and Roy will provide that. He's done a fantastic job at Fulham and has a wealth of experience having managed all over Europe."
In a 34-year coaching career, Hodgson has had spells in England, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and Italy, where he was twice in charge of Inter Milan. He has also coached Finland, the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland and acted as a technical adviser to UEFA, European football's governing body.
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