SOCCER:IT WILL be a major surprise if Roy Hodgson has not already used a red marker pen to highlight Saturday April 2nd in his diary. That is the day Liverpool visit The Hawthorns and after spending six largely unhappy months in charge at Anfield, West Bromwich Albion's new manager would hardly be human were he not keen to remind his former employer of the qualities they so quickly discarded.
More immediately, Hodgson’s installation as Roberto Di Matteo’s successor comes in time for a crucial game at home to fellow strugglers West Ham. Although Michael Appleton, West Brom’s caretaker manager, will pick the team, the new head coach’s presence is expected to lift the players.
Last season’s League Managers Association manager of the year – an award won in recognition of his taking Fulham to the Europa League final – Hodgson arrives only five weeks after leaving Liverpool under a cloud. “It was not my intention to return this quickly,” he said. “But I was so impressed by the way the chairman and Dan Ashworth sold the project to me that I was very happy to accept.
“I am delighted that a club of West Bromwich Albion’s stature has given me the opportunity to help them in their quest to retain Premier League status and build for the future.”
The much-travelled 63-year-old has agreed a contract until the summer of 2012, and Albion are clearly hoping Hodgson will repeat the job he performed at Craven Cottage three years ago, when his meticulously organised coaching drills and astute man management helped breathe new life into a Fulham side who had looked doomed to relegation.
Even so, it was originally thought that Chris Hughton would succeed Di Matteo. Hitches arose when it became evident the former Newcastle manager wanted to revive his old St James’ Park backroom by hiring Colin Calderwood, currently managing Hibernian, and Paul Barron, as his assistants.
While West Brom were not keen on involvement in a prospective compensation wrangle with Hibs, Hughton was also thought to harbour mixed feelings about working with Ashworth.
Having encountered such continental-style partnerships at Internazionale, among other clubs, Hodgson has no problem operating alongside the increasingly influential Ashworth, who looks likely to be kept on in a coaching role.
Indeed Jeremy Peace, West Bromwich’s chairman, claimed Hodgson had been his first choice all along. “I am delighted to welcome Roy as our new head coach. Roy emerged as the outstanding and unanimous choice and we are delighted to have appointed our number one target.”
