Hodgson steers Fulham to Europe

Fulham edged London rivals Tottenham Hotspur by two points last season to place seventh in the final standings and earn a place in the Europa League.

Roy Hodgson is doing a great job at Craven Cottage and although he did not hit the right notes with the fans early on, he let the side do the talking on the pitch and soon his critics had to eat their words.

Hodgson came in for Lawrie Sanchez in December 2007 and in his first full season he succeeded in leading Fulham to their highest place in the top flight, amassing a club best points total of 53.

It was their eighth successive season in the Premiership.

Hodgson is managing a club in the Premier League for the second time after the stint with Blackburn Rovers in 1996-97.

In the early 1980s, he was at the helm at Bristol City for a mere three months as he spent most of his coaching on the continent.

Among the clubs he led were Inter, Udinese and Finland's national team.

Hodgson's achievement in 2008/09 was regarded as one of the best as in August many had predicted that he would get the sack. His biggest capture was Brede Hangeland (signed in January of last year).

Hangeland was born in the US but plays for Norway. Hodgson appointed Hangeland as captain of the side and was named the club's best player of the season.

Phil Brown's Hull City had a brilliant start to the campaign but the club ended up struggling against relegation after a series of poor results in the latter part of the season.

Inconsistency played havoc with the Hull team, winning at Arsenal and then going down 0-5 to Wigan at the KC Stadium.

But Brown's resilience paid off in the end even if they only made sure of survival on the final day.

Brown led Hull to the Premier League after winning the play-off final against Bristol City. It was the first time in the club's 104-year history.

Brown's previous coaching stints were at Derby and Bolton. His appointment at Hull came in January 2007.

Mixed fortunes

In the League Cup, Fulham were shocked by Championship side Burnley 1-0 in the third round.

Their run in the FA Cup was more positive as they reached the quarter-finals. But another negative performance at home saw them bow out to Manchester United 0-3.

In the League Cup, Hull were ousted at the first time of asking by second-tier side Swansea.

Hull made up for their early exit in the League Cup with a good showing in the FA Cup, going down in the last eight to Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.