Roy steps out of the frying pan and in to the fire at West Brom
Roy Hodgson’s spell on the sidelines of the Premier League has lasted 37 days, before he was thrust back in to the league – West Brom having taking the manager on an 18 month contract.
Hodgson was asked about his LFC experience and insisted though it had hurt, his confidence had not been dented, despite posting the worst set of results at Liverpool in almost 60 years.
The former manager suggested he wasn’t made to feel wanted, and that the club did not give him enough freedom to get on with his job.
“I didn’t feel drained but you do feel wounded.
“I have had a very good spell in my career and it’s a long time since I have had a very serious knock-back so, when it comes, it wounds you.
“I think my 36 years, for those who care to study it, speaks for itself.
“You wouldn’t be human if it didn’t but it hasn’t dented any confidence or belief. But I can’t lie and say it didn’t hurt me, or I didn’t care, because, of course, I care.
“I care very passionately about my job and I care about football and I have had an awful lot of praise. So, when you get the opposite, it’s not something you particularly embrace, but, if you’ve got half a brain, you accept that as being part of the job or par for the course.”
Hodgson, who’s comments during his time at the club only served to baffle and antagonise LFC fans, continued:
“The people who wanted me at Liverpool didn’t last too long. The people who employed me didn’t stay for too long. The new owners found themselves in a difficult situation because we weren’t winning enough games and the fans were making it perfectly clear they wanted me gone and somebody else in. That makes life more difficult and the job harder. It makes it easier if the fans say ‘we know of him, we know what he can do’.
“To be fair to them, they were in a very difficult situation. I can’t for one minute suggest I was wanted at Liverpool.
“But hopefully everyone will accept this club (WBA) made a considerable effort to get me and worked hard to persuade me to come and try to help preserve the status so, of course, I feel much more wanted. But I have been lucky. I felt wanted at Fulham and there aren’t that many clubs where I haven’t felt wanted.”
“Clubs which allow you to do the job properly and embrace your philosophies are very important. I believe West Brom are that sort of club,”
“I knew when I took the job (at Liverpool) I was taking a bit of a risk because there was likely to be a change of ownership. Therefore I’m reasonably philosophical about it.
“It’s a great club, with some very good people there, the players were extremely good to work with, and I’m happy to see them now getting some good results. I don’t regret going there.”
West Brom are currently clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand. Liverpool head down to the Hawthornes in April.