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Liverpool on Saturday announced that manager Roy Hodgson has left the club by mutual consent, with Kenny Dalglish put in charge for Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Manchester United.
Hodgson leaves Anfield after an unhappy six-month reign with Liverpool having suffered a ninth English Premier League defeat on his watch at Blackburn during the 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 might save his position but Liverpool’s owners New England Sports Ventures (NESV) decided otherwise.
The writing looked on the wall for Hodgson when the club cancelled his weekly scheduled press conference on Friday.
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.
“We wish him all the best for the future.”
Hodgson added: “Being asked to manage Liverpool football club was a great privilege.
“Liverpool is one of the great clubs in world football. I have, however, found the last few months some of the most challenging of my career.
“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.
“The club has some great, world-class players, with whom it has been a pleasure to work and I wish the entire squad well for the rest of the season.”
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.
Speaking about the decision to put the Liverpool legend in charge for the rest of the season, Henry added: “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.”
Hodgson becomes the third Premier League manager to be axed this season after Chris Hughton at Newcastle and Sam Allardyce at Blackburn.
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