Source: Daily_Mail
Hodgson: I had no chance - it's difficult to compete with icons like Kenny at Anfield
West Bromwich Albion manager Roy Hodgson faces Liverpool for the first time today since his troubled six months as the club's boss. It was a reign beset by problems. [LNB]He was not greeted enthusiastically by the Kop and was caught in a bitter takeover which contributed to his downfall. [LNB]Here, in the build-up to this Saturday's game at the Hawthorns, he talks to Neil Moxley and gives his verdict on his difficult stay at Anfield. [LNB]Is this a chance to right a few wrongs for you? [LNB]I have no vendetta against Liverpool. I enjoyed my time there. Actually, to say 'enjoy' wouldn't strictly be true, but I respected my time there. I was treated correctly by everyone at the club. The players did their very best for me. It didn't work out - either for them or me - and I'm very pleased it's working out for them now. I desperately hope it's not going to work out for them today. After that, I can go back to wishing them well for the rest of the season. [LNB] No chance: Roy Hodgson always felt the shadow of Kenny Dalglish looming over his shoulder[LNB] What is your relationship like with Kenny Dalglish? Will there be a handshake? [LNB]Yes. Absolutely. [LNB]There's a perception that he didn't help you during your time there? [LNB]I'm not prepared to talk about perceptions. My time at Liverpool is over. I'm disappointed I didn't get the full three years. But I've been in football long enough to know that's sometimes what happens - particularly when there has been a change of ownership during your time at the club. I was realistic. I knew the risk. I still think it was the right thing to do to accept the offer. I'm disappointed it didn't work out in a better way. I have no regrets and have no bad feelings towards the city, club or people who worked there. I made the right decision in taking the job. [LNB]Do you think you would have had a longer stay without Dalglish being in the background? [LNB]Maybe. It's difficult to compete with icons. I went to the right club, perhaps I didn't go at the right time because Kenny made it clear he wanted the job. The people who were making the decisions at that time decided to go for me. As a result, that left Kenny in a difficult position. So, when things didn't go well, having him in the background wasn't easy. It wouldn't have been easy for any coach. [LNB]Should Dalglish now have the job on a permanent basis? [LNB]If they don't give him the job now, it will be a very difficult job for the next man who gets it because the fans want him to have it. He has the backing of the supporters and they are very important at Liverpool. [LNB] King Kenny: Hodgson says he would have loved to have signed Andy Carroll (left) and Luis Suarez (right) when he was at Anfield[LNB] The club don't seem to have been weakened by the loss of a ?50million striker... [LNB]No, but then they have spent the money wisely on two players. They would argue they have two good ones instead of one good one. I don't think that they have been weakened by that in any respect. I think that was a good move for Liverpool and Fernando. I think he welcomed the change. He has moved to one of the best teams in the world. He can look back on his Liverpool experience with great pride. Liverpool now have two outstanding front players who are raring to go and aiming to build up the same reputation that Fernando built up during his time at the club. [LNB]Were Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez on your own personal wanted list? [LNB]The answer, of course, is: 'Yes.' But when the club had been taken over, there was no money for transfers. When the takeover took place, because of the sums available, they were not prepared to discuss how much money was available in January. What changed everything, of course, was the sale of Fernando Torres. But the names of Carroll and Suarez would have been on the list of any top club in England, Italy or Spain. I'm not attempting to gain any kudos from that. Carroll was the most wanted striker in English football. I did scout Suarez -- but he was on everyone's radar. The question was, who would have the money to buy him? [LNB]DId you raise an eyebrow at the fees? [LNB]No, there's no point these days. What a player is worth, nobody can really judge. We could be speaking in five or six years' time and thinking: 'They only paid ?35m for him. What a snip.' But Carroll and Suarez were not possibilities while I was at the club because the money wasn't available. [LNB] 'Quality men': Hodgson was pleased to here Jamie Carragher's and Steven Gerrard's comments about him[LNB] What do you think of Carroll? [LNB]He's a bit of a throwback to the likes of Mick Harford. He's slightly more athletic, possibly, than Mick, but Mick was a wonderful player. Carroll's ability -- technical ability and as a threat both with his feet and head -- is very like Harford's. There's always a place for a man like that in a team. The world is Carroll's oyster. [LNB]This week, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard said some supportive things about your time at Anfield, does that mean much to you? [LNB]It's nice when players say such positive things about you as a coach because they are the ones who know you best. If a player is brave enough to come out publicly and say positive things about a former manager then it is always very satisfying. Knowing the quality of the two men, I'd be very surprised if they had given fulsome answers to those questions because they are honest men. Furthermore, they don't need to curry favour, they can explain away the situation as they saw fit. [LNB]Are you expecting a good reaction from the travelling supporters? [LNB]I don't know. The reaction to my appointment from a large body of fans wasn't positive. Whether that has changed, now I'm no longer there, I don't know. Whatever the reaction is, I have to accept it. It would be nice if it is not a negative one. If it is I'll have to live with it. Hopefully, the West Brom fans will buoy me up in the other direction.[LNB] I was doomed from the start, says Albion boss Hodgson as he prepares to face former employers LiverpoolWEST BROM v Liverpool: Tchoyi unavailable as Hodgson takes on former clubAll the latest Liverpool news, features and opinionAll the latest West Brom news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Jamie Carragher, Andy Carroll, Kenny Dalglish, Roy Hodgson, Steven Gerrard Places: Liverpool, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom
