Roy Hodgson rubbishes Liverpool quit rumours after Napoli draw in Europa League

22 October 2010 07:32
On Wednesday there was a brief flurry of internet activity which claimed the 63 year-old was likely to resign after last night's Europa League match against Napoli, which finished goalless.[LNB]If Hodgson was not under enough scrutiny after winning just one of his eight league matches, the £300 million takeover by New England Sports Ventures heightened things further.[LNB] Related ArticlesNapoli 0 Liverpool 0Napoli ultras charged with attempted murderNapoli v Liverpool: as it happenedEuropa League: live scoresLiverpool job has suddenly started to look attractiveLiverpool fans stabbed ahead of Napoli clashThe departure of managing director Christian Purslow, with chairman Martin Broughton likely to follow in the near future, after the sale was completed means four of the five people - former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett were the others - responsible for appointing Hodgson no longer hold any power at Anfield.[LNB]But despite criticism from fans, who chanted the name of former player and manager Kenny Dalglish during the Blackpool defeat earlier this month, Hodgson has no intention of walking away.[LNB]"I have heard the ridiculous rumours about me resigning, and I can tell you there is not an iota of truth in any of them," he said.[LNB]"The simple truth is that I have never considered resigning, and I never will."[LNB]Although the team have now not won in seven matches the goalless draw achieved in Naples with an understrength side was well deserved.[LNB]"There were plenty of positives to come from the game," added Hodgson.[LNB]"It was a good point which many people didn't think we would get, considering the team selection, but we've proved them wrong."[LNB]The Liverpool manager also leapt to the defence of Liverpool supporters after they were targeted by Napoli's hard-core 'Ultra' fans while they were in Naples.[LNB]Six English fans - four of whom suffered knife wounds - and one Italian were hurt in a spree of co-ordinated attacks using a variety of weapons.[LNB]Despite a heavy police presence, there were a few other incidents with one group of about 10 Liverpool fans being pelted by missiles on the way to the game.[LNB]However, Hodgson hit back at Italian journalists who yesterday asked him what he felt about "drunken Liverpool fans coming to Naples and causing trouble".[LNB]"These supporters have done a fantastic job; it was always going to be tough asking them to come to Naples as they know they are coming to a potentially dangerous situation," he said.[LNB]"In the press conference yesterday a question was asked of me in Italian - and I answered in Italian - as to whether I was concerned drunken Liverpool supporters would cause trouble on the streets of Naples.[LNB]"I find that now faintly amusing that I should be defending Liverpool supporters from Italian journalists when in fact they are peaceful people who come here to watch the game and some of them end up being stabbed."[LNB]

Source: Telegraph