The task of filling Rafa Benitez’s boots at Liverpool was always going to be tough for Roy Hodgson. He left Fulham for Anfield at the beginning of the season, and many hoped he would continue the success he achieved at the London club; Hodgson guided Fulham to the final of the Europa League, narrowly missing out on the trophy. At Liverpool he quickly lost favour with the board, players and the fans, failing to win games and left Liverpool floundering mid-table after 91 days. His appointment at The Hawthorn’s has given Hodgson a chance to prove his critics wrong, as he fights for West Brom’s survival.
Some, myself included, had reservations from the start about Hodgson’s chances at Liverpool. Hodgson, who at the time was thought not to have enough experience at big clubs, was labelled as a “mid-table manager over his head” by the Daily Telegraph despite having managed twenty teams, including Finland and Switzerland. His poor start, only winning two out of ten games made many want him and the owners out.
Ironically, Hodgson achieved his first win against West Brom but his team slowly began to deteriorate as summer signings failed to prove their worth. Hodgson’s supposed star signings Milan Jovanovic, Joe Cole, Raul Meireles and Paul Konchesky never found form. Under Kenny Dalglish, Konchesky has made a swift exit to Championship side Nottingham forest, both Cole and Jovanovic now warm the bench but thankfully Portugal star Meireles has found some form.
With all his managerial credentials under scrutiny, Hodgson agreed a severance deal worth £3 million in compensation, failing to fulfil his three year contract at the club. Now with new club West Brom, Hodgson hopes to rekindle his career.
“I’ve had a very good spell in my career and it was a long while since I’d had a serious knockback.
“I am delighted that a club of West Bromwich Albion’s stature has given me the opportunity to help them in their quest to retain Premier League status and build for the future.”
Hodgson has begun his revival after a 2-1 win against former club Liverpool on 2nd April. Although claims that it gave him “no extra satisfaction”, we can safely assume that the game was like the Manchester derby for Hodgson. The victory over his old club has hoisted West Brom up to 12th in the table, 4 points of relegation.
A successful spell at West Brom could see Hodgson move on to greater things. The mercurial manager will undoubtedly put all his efforts into keeping West Brom safe in an attempt to regain some recognition. If achieved, we will once again hail Hodgson as one of the best English managers around. We may even see him take England into the next World Cup.