Source: Daily_Mail
Breaking news: Roy Hodgson leaves Liverpool and is replaced by Kenny Dalglish
Gone: Roy Hodgson's unhappy time as Liverpool manager ended today[LNB]Liverpool's owners New England Sports Ventures finally put an end tomanager Roy Hodgson's miserable six months at Anfield in ruthlessfashion and immediately installed club legend Kenny Dalglish to takeover in the interim. [LNB]Although Hodgson knew he was on borrowed time after NESV suggestedafter last week's home defeat to Wolves they were looking foralternatives he probably expected to remain in charge at least fortomorrow's FA Cup third round tie at Manchester United. [LNB]He even gave an interview to the club's television channel yesterdaypreviewing the game but less than 24 hours after that was aired he hadbeen relieved of his duties. [LNB]Although the club statement said the 63-year-old's departure was bymutual consent there is no doubt the club's American owners pulled thetrigger - especially as less than a fortnight ago Hodgson insisted hehad no intention of resigning. [LNB]By bringing in Dalglish, widely regarded as the club's best playerand their last manager to win the championship in 1990, NESV havebought themselves some time while also immediately getting disgruntledsupporters back on side. [LNB]The 59-year-old put his name forward for the permanent job when Benitez left but was overlooked by the previous regime. [LNB]He will now see this as his chance to get the job for good after the end of the season. [LNB]Hodgson was never the fans' first choice as manager and he wascertainly not the owners', who completed their £300million takeoverthree months after Hodgson's July appointment. [LNB] I'm back - for a while: Kenny Dalglish will take charge of Liverpool at Manchester United tomorrow[LNB]Roy's Liverpool nightmareJuly 1 - Announced as new manager of Liverpool on a three-year contract. September 23 - Dumped out of the League Cup on penalties at Anfield by League Two side Northampton. October 3 - Poor form continues with a 2-1 defeat to newly-promoted Blackpool - again at Anfield. October 15 - US company New England Sports Ventures, owner of the Boston Red Sox, completes their takeover of Liverpool. December 29 - Another home defeat - this time 1-0 to Wolves - and after the match Hodgson criticises the Liverpool fans. January 5 - The pressure intensifies with a 3-1 defeat to Blackburn at Ewood Park. January 7 - Liverpool cancel their weekly press conference as speculation mounts that Hodgson's tenure is over. January 8 - The club announce Hodgson has left the club by mutual consent. [LNB]'We are grateful for Roy's efforts over the past six months, butboth parties thought it in the best interests of the club that he standdown from his position as team manager,' said principal owner JohnHenry. [LNB]'We are delighted that Kenny Dalglish has agreed to step in andmanage the team for Sunday's FA Cup tie at Old Trafford and for theremainder of the season. [LNB]'Kenny was not just a legendary footballer, he was the third of our three most successful managers - three giants. [LNB]'We are extraordinarily fortunate and grateful that he has decided to step in during the middle of this season.' [LNB]Dalglish has been on holiday in the middle East but is returningtoday in order to take charge of the side at Old Trafford, where hewill renew rivalry with old foe Sir Alex Ferguson. [LNB]There are a number of coincidences involved in Dalglish's return. [LNB]His last match in charge was the 4-4 FA Cup fifth round replay draw at Everton 19 years and 11 months ago. [LNB]Dalglish's return to Liverpool management will be in the FA Cup and next weekend they host Everton at Anfield. [LNB]The Scot, for whom the 1989 Hillsborough disaster took a hugepersonal toll, quit after complaining he felt like his 'head wouldexplode'. [LNB]However, within two weeks of leaving he was already thinking aboutcoming back and now, after stints at Blackburn, Newcastle and Celtic,he returns to complete unfinished business. [LNB]Dalglish has been involved at the club since being brought back inan ambassadorial capacity by former manager Rafael Benitez a couple ofyears ago. [LNB]The spectre of his presence at the club has loomed large overHodgson, who oversaw Liverpool's worst start to a season since 1953/54- when they were relegated. [LNB] Fresh start: Roy Hodgson begins life as Liverpool manager in July last year[LNB]Hodgson failed to win over fans with perceived negative tactics and criticism of supporters and once performances began to go downhill rapidly his days were numbered, as he had to endure the name of Dalglish being chanted at him in recent games.[LNB] In his departing statement the former Fulham boss even suggested he had found the Liverpool job difficult. [LNB]'Being asked to manage Liverpool Football Club was a great privilege,' he said. '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. [LNB]'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. [LNB]'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. [LNB]'I thank those with whom I have built up a close working relationship at the club for their loyalty and support during very testing times, and finally of course to the Liverpool fans, your passion and dedication to the club will see Liverpool at the top of the game once more.' [LNB]Irrespective of his complaints about the depth and quality of the squad - and the fact he has been let down by some of those players - results ultimately cost Hodgson his job. [LNB]'No one who cares for this great club has been happy with the way this season has unfolded and we have examined options and considered at length what is best for us going forward,' said chairman Tom Werner. [LNB]'Kenny will bring considerable experience to the position and provide management and leadership for the rest of the season.'[LNB] Liverpool owners line up Kenny Dalglish as boss Roy Hodgson faces win or bust clash with BoltonCold shoulder is final weapon for floundering Liverpool boss HodgsonUnder-fire Hodgson backs Liverpool to make United stand in FA Cup clash The 2010/11 managerial merry-go-round: Bye-bye RoySir Alex wants win over Liverpool to erase pain of last year's shock FA Cup exitClub-by-club guide to every Premier League transfer deal during JanuaryNo escape for Roy: Liverpool boss tries to battle on, but next up is UnitedAll the latest Liverpool news, features and opinionKing Kenny's back: Anfield legend Dalglish in the hotseat again 20 years after he leftLiverpool fans were the key to Hodgson departure, says Phil Thompson[LNB] Explore more:People: Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish, John Henry Places: Liverpool Organisations: Boston Red Sox
