LIVERPOOL: Liverpool yesterday announced that manager Roy Hodgson has left the club by mutual consent, with Kenny Dalglish put in charge for today’s FA Cup tie against Manchester United.
Hodgson leaves Anfield after an unhappy six month reign after taking over from Rafael Benitez with Liverpool having suffered a ninth Premier League defeat on his watch at Blackburn this week.
That left the embattled side languishing in 12th position, four points above the relegation zone.
The 63-year-old former Fulham boss had hoped that a bright performance against United at Old Trafford this weekend might save his position but Liverpool’s owners New England Sports Ventures (NESV) decided otherwise.
The writing looked on the wall for Hodgson when the club cancelled his weekly scheduled press conference on Friday.
In a statement on the club’s website, principal owner John Henry said: “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.”
Hodgson added: “Being asked to manage Liverpool football club was a great privilege.
“Any manager would be honoured to manage a club with such an incredible history, such embedded tradition and such an amazing set of fans.
“Liverpool is one of the great clubs in world football. I have, however, found the last few months some of the most challenging of my career.
“I am very sad not to have been able to put my stamp on the squad, to be given the time to bring new players into the club in this transfer window and to have been able to be part of the rebuilding process at Liverpool.”
Dalglish steps in for his second stint in the Anfield hot seat – his first spell between 1985 and 1991 harvested three league titles and two FA Cup titles.
Hodgson becomes the third Premier League manager to be axed this season after Chris Hughton at Newcastle and Sam Allardyce at Blackburn.
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