Hodgson the right man for Liverpool

Hodgson the right man for Liverpool

Liverpool today unveiled Roy Hodgson as their new manager, to collective sighs of relief from fans worldwide. Hodgson was voted manager of the year after guiding Fulham to the Europa League final last season and was the clear favourite to land the job. He is sure to prove a popular choice on Merseyside, following a shambolic showing from the team last season. Hodgson is faced with completely rebuilding a side that has never looked further away from winning another League title.

Hodgson is a man with a refreshingly honest and forthright approach to football management, which is bound to be appreciated by fans, after years of baffling decisions and behaviour from Rafael Benitez. One of the main drawbacks of the Benitez era was the manager’s stubborn refusal to engage at all with fan’s unrest, and media interviews which became increasingly ridiculous towards the end of the last season. Such problems are unlikely to arise with Hodgson, who is widely respected across Europe, for a career that has now included 16 managerial positions over a 30 year spell.

Hodgson also has the added advantage of having achieved success with a limited budget at Fulham. Liverpool are undoubtedly faced with a similar situation, given the perilous position that owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks find themselves in. One of his greatest challenges will be motivating the players that have looked devoid of confidence for the last 12 months, as he is unlikely to be given significant funds to make any serious impact in the transfer market.

If he is to buy any players, he is undoubtedly going to have to sell first, and this is an area where Hodgson’s hands may unfortunately be tied. Javier Mascherano has allegedly begun learning to speak Italian in anticipation of a move to Inter Milan, while Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are consistently linked with moves abroad. It seems likely than Mascherano will be the first to go, with Torres and Gerrard likely to stay put, at least in the short term. Gerrard has been in a wretched patch of form recently, while Torres has had a season blighted by injuries and is unlikely to jump ship after only two years at the club. Others rumoured to be on the way out include Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger, so it remains to be seen what Hodgson will have to work with next season.
What is clear is that Hodgson faces a massive task in reviving a club that has been on the ropes ever since they failed to win the league title in 2009. Hodgson has stated that he is targeting a return to Champions League football for the club within the next year, which would undoubtedly appease players and fans alike. Liverpool are in need of a serious makeover if they are to challenge for honours anytime soon, and Hodgson might just be the man to lead them to such fortunes.