Roy Hodgson leaves Liverpool FC

Roy Hodgson has left his managerial position at Liverpool FC this morning through mutual consent with the new owners.


Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has taken over the position until the end of the season.

Hodgson was appointed manager of the club on 1st July 2010 on a three-year contract under the club’s previous ownership, replacing Rafael Benitez.

During that summer transfer window, he brought in players such as Milan Jovanovic, Paul Konchesky and Christian Poulsen. He came under scrutiny almost immediately following some of his transfers.

The criticism did not seem to stop after the first half of the season had fans’ scratching their heads in wonder over some of Hodgson’s tactics on the pitch.

Liverpool suffered major defeats over teams such as Everton and Manchester United, as well as humiliating ones to Northampton, Wolverhampton and Blackburn.

In six months, Hodgson’s team only managed 13 wins and nine losses in 31 games, with away form at its worst in years.

Although he has an impressive history, he usually dealt with mid-table clubs. Before Liverpool, he was manager of Fulham and had even managed to take them all the way to the Europa League finals where they lost to Atletico Madrid.

Roy Hodgson said today of his departure on the official club website:” 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. The club has some great, world-class players, with whom it has been a pleasure to work and I wish the entire squad well for the rest of the season.”

Liverpool owner John Henry added: "We are delighted that Kenny Dalglish has agreed to step in and manage the team for Sunday's FA Cup tie at Old Trafford and for the remainder of the season.”

Players such as Ryan Babel took to their twitter accounts to acknowledge the change, tweeting: “King” and ex-Red Xabi Alonso also tweeted: “Good luck King Kenny.”

Kenny Dalglish is Liverpool’s third most successful manager in its history but will definitely be feeling the pressure after the first half of the season sees Liverpool currently in the 12th position on the Barclay’s Premier League table.

Nonetheless, fans have already expressed their excitement to seeing King Kenny back on the sidelines tomorrow at Old Trafford for the FA Cup 3rd Round against Manchester United.