Shortly after 11am the following announcement was made by Liverpool Football Club.
Liverpool FC confirmed today that manager Roy Hodgson has left the club by mutual consent.
Principal Owner John Henry commented: “We are grateful for Roy’s efforts over the past six months, but both parties thought it in the best interests of the club that he stand down from his position as team manager. We wish him all the best for the future.”
Roy Hodgson said: “Being asked to manage Liverpool Football Club was a great privilege. Any manager would be honoured to manage a club with such an incredible history, such embedded tradition and such an amazing set of fans. 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. 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. 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. 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.”
Club legend Kenny Dalglish will assume control of team matters for Sunday’s third round FA Cup tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Henry added: “We are delighted that Kenny Dalglish has agreed to step in and manage the team for Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Old Trafford and for the remainder of the season.
“Kenny was not just a legendary footballer, he was the third of our three most successful managers – three giants. We are extraordinarily fortunate and grateful that he has decided to step in during the middle of this season.”
Chairman Tom Werner said: “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. Kenny will bring considerable experience to the position and provide management and leadership for the rest of the season.”
Liverpool take on Manchester United at 1.30pm tomorrow afternoon.
We express our thanks to Roy for taking over the club during such a difficult phase, however we express our thanks to the board for taking a correct decision, some may so overdue, but alas the right decision.
Defeats can be tolerated, but the lack of effort, tactics and alienation of the supporters cannot. We wish Kenny Dalglish all the best for the rest of the season.
A fine person he certainly is but Roy’s negative brand of Football is not what we want at Anfield.We’ve no divine right to win anything but i expect to be entertained when watching our boy’s who clearly didn’t want to play for him anymore.Would have liked to see his poor signings like Poulson and Konchesky follow him but
hopefully that will happen soon enough too.
Roy will do well at a club like Fulham or West Ham but we were too big for him so good riddance, you won’t be missed.I was concerned that Rafa may return so it’s a relief to see Kenny take charge though i am not expecting miracles but players now have too take responsibility before the summer.The owners must also spend some serious cash.
iam glad to see king back at anfield where he deserves to be now hopelly get playing football with king in charge come u red 2 1 win at old trafford come on boys make me happy beating man utd
its easy to reject any manager the managers role is to manage the role of the players is to perform to there best ,unfortunatley big money dose not make you hungry and that is the problem pay the players a good wage when they achieve a good result win or loose there money is in the bank and lots of it .
A part of me is sad for Roy. But most of me is excited about the change.
I just wish Al-Fayed still owned Harrods. Then we could get our money back under the Harrods returned goods policy…
Hi All
I have been a Liverpool supporter since I was 10 years old, i am now 45. As you can imagine I have seen a lot of special moments at Liverpool FC. My father took up to a game when I was about 15 years of age. We caught 3 trains to get there, walked with the crowd from Lime Street Station to the ground. I sat there with the Kop on my right watching my heroes. We won 3-1 against Tottenham. The atmosphere was unforgetable and the chants of Dalglish that you could here, you just knew that this man was something special and he is the person that everyone talks about, when we have achieved a win – title – trophy “where is Kenny” well he is back and I do hope he stays.
Julie – South Wales