Liverpool yesterday announced that manager Roy Hodgson had left the club by mutual consent, with Kenny Dalglish put in charge for today’s FA Cup tie against Manchester United.
Hodgson leaves Anfield after 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 Rovers on Wednesday.
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, decided otherwise.
The writing looked on the wall for Hodgson when the club canceled his weekly press conference on Friday.
In a statement on the club’s Web site, 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. We wish him all the best for the future.”
Hodgson said: “Being asked to manage Liverpool football club was a great privilege.”
“Any manager would be honored to manage a club with such an incredible history, such embedded tradition and such an amazing set of fans,” he said.
Dalglish 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.
Henry said: “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,” Henry said.
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