Liverpool yesterday announced that manager Roy Hodgson has left the club by mutual consent, with Kenny Dalglish put in charge for today’s FA Cup tie against Manchester United.
Hodgson leaves Anfield following an unhappy six-month reign after taking over from Rafael Benitez with Liverpool having suffered a ninth Premier League defeat on his watch at Blackburn this week.
That left the embattled side languishing in 12th position, four points above the relegation zone.
The 63-year-old former Fulham boss had hoped that a bright performance against United at Old Trafford this weekend might save his position but Liverpool’s owners New England Sports Ventures (NESV) decided otherwise.
In a statement on the club’s website, principal owner John Henry said: “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.”
Hodgson added: “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.
“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.”
Dalglish – who had sought the job last summer before Hodgson’s appointment – steps in for his second stint in the Anfield hot seat, his first spell between 1985 and 1991 harvested three league titles and two FA Cup titles.
Hodgson becomes the third Premier League manager to be axed this season after Chris Hughton at Newcastle and Sam Allardyce at Blackburn.
A flurry of reports across British newspapers last week said NESV had already decided to replace Hodgson at the end of the season.
But pressure began to reach boiling point on New Year’s Day when some 10,000 fans – including around 4,000 season ticket holders – stayed away from the 2-1 win over Bolton at Anfield.
The defeat to Rovers at Ewood Park on Wednesday was the final nail in the coffin and the writing looked on the wall for Hodgson when the club cancelled the manager’s weekly scheduled press conference on Friday.