Former Liverpool coach Roy Hodgson has been appointed head coach of West Brom, the Premier League club confirmed yesterday.
West Brom, who fired Roberto Di Matteo earlier this week, hired Hodgson just over a month after he was sacked by Liverpool.
Hodgson, 63, was voted English soccer’s manager of the year last season, after successfully guiding Fulham to the Europa League Final.
His new contract with the Baggies runs until June 2012, West Brom announced on their Web site.
“West Bromwich Albion are delighted to announce they have appointed Roy Hodgson as the club’s new head coach,” the statement read. “The 63-year-old former Inter Milan, Switzerland, Fulham and Liverpool boss has committed himself to the club until June 2012.”
Hodgson won the job ahead of the likes of former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton and ex-Albion star Martin Jol.
He took over at Fulham in December 2007 and led the club to survival that season before a seventh-place finish in the 2008-2009 secured the Cottagers a place in Europe.
An unlikely run to the Europa League final followed, where they were beaten by Atletico Madrid, with Hodgson leaving for Anfield soon after.
Hodgson will not have to wait long for a chance to exact some revenge on his former club, with Liverpool due at The Hawthorns on April 2.
First-team coach Michael Appleton, who was appointed caretaker manager on Sunday after Di Matteo’s dismissal, will remain in charge for today’s relegation showdown against West Ham.
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