Hodgson’s Appointment as Liverpool Manager Represents a Change in the Clubs Priorities

Liverpool’s’ search for a new manager has at last been finalised and former Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has been given the job.

He arrives at Anfield in a time of delicate transition and his appointment represents a change in the priorities of Liverpool, as after a difficult and extremely frustrating season on and off the pitch, they look to stabilise their position in the league and also their dire financial situation.

With mounting debts that currently top £351m according to the BBC and on the back of a season in which they finished seventh in the league and failed to win any domestic or European silverware, Hodgson has been brought in to do what he does best and that’s polish turds.

This isn’t meant to be disrespectful to either party, but facts have to faced.

By any ambitious clubs standards Liverpool had a poor season, but by their high aspirations it was a devastatingly disappointing nine months that fans will want to forget.

Having finished second in 2008/09, expectations for the following season were high and the prospect of challenging for the title was far from optimistic, but to end up adrift of even Europa League qualification and trophy-less would have been a deep disappointment for all associated with the club.

As a result Rafa Benitez left with a generous pay-off and Hodgson has been brought in to stabilise a ship that is danger of sinking under the tremendous weight of debt.

Extravagant purchases on foreign superstars are no longer on the menu, as purse strings will be tightened as the club looks to consolidate its position financially and as one of the nation’s biggest clubs.

Hodgson’s record as a turd polisher is commendable and this title isn’t meant to be derogatory, but merely recognition of his ability to achieve success with seemingly very little at his disposal and his CV corroborates this.

He has enjoyed successful spells with Swedish sides Halmstad and Malmo, winning five consecutive league titles with the latter and he guided the Swiss national team to the second round of the World Cup in 1994, their first appearance on the world stage since 1966.

He helped an Inter Milan team in similar transition to Liverpool from 1995-97, after they finished 13th and 6th prior to his arrival and he guided them to the 1997 UEFA Cup Final and third in Serie A in the same year and his fantastic achievements with Fulham could be taken from the pages of Roy of the Rovers.

Due to Liverpool’s debt, Hodgson will have little to play with in the transfer market, but this a scenario he is accustomed to and what he is allowed he’ll undoubtedly spend wisely on players of little repute, who will work hard for a team that works together and not for any individual back-page glory.

Liverpool’s current low ebb hasn’t dampened Hodgson enthusiasm for the job though, as he told the club’s website “This is the biggest job in club football and I’m honoured to be taking on Britain’s most successful football club.”

His enthusiasm is also reflected by Mr Liverpool Jamie Carragher “He’s got such a great reputation in the game and is one of the most experienced managers in world football,” said the 32-year-old.

“After this period of uncertainty, his appointment has given us all a lift.”

The dark mood has seemingly been lifted from around Anfield and respectability will undoubtedly be brought back to Liverpool under Hodgson’s guidance, but whether he can bring sustained success is uncertain, as he has failed so far to do so with a major European team, such as Liverpool.

His biggest challenge though might be off the field as he deals with the financial faux-pas of the bumbling owners, whose adventures into the world of soccer-ball have proved to be an unmitigated disaster.

Posted By Dan Mobbs - Thursday July 1, 2010.
Tags: Roy Hodgson, Liverpool