Former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has spoken to the press about his torrid six month spell at Anfield.
Hodgson and Liverpool parted company early last month after a dismal first half of the season, with new owners FSG appointing club legend Kenny Dalglish in his place.
Hodgson’s time at Anfield will not only be remembered for the poor results on the pitch, but also the backlash from Liverpool fans, vocally illustrating their discontent with Hodgson’s signings, tactics and expectations of the club.
“I didn’t feel drained but you do feel wounded,” he said.
“I have had a very good spell in my career and it’s a long time since I have had a very serious knock-back so, when it comes, it wounds you.
“You wouldn’t be human if it didn’t but it hasn’t dented any confidence or belief. But I can’t lie and say it didn’t hurt me, or I didn’t care, because, of course, I care.
“I care very passionately about my job and I care about football and I have had an awful lot of praise. So, when you get the opposite, it’s not something you particularly embrace, but, if you’ve got half a brain, you accept that as being part of the job or par for the course.”
Hodgson this week was appointed as the new head coach of West Bromich Albion, following Roberto Di Matteo’s sacking last week.
He also says he didn’t feel wanted at Liverpool, but accepts that the club’s new owners were put in the difficult position of wanting to destroy any legacy left behind by former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
He added, “The people who wanted me at Liverpool didn’t last too long. The people who employed me didn’t stay for too long. The new owners found themselves in a difficult situation because we weren’t winning enough games and the fans were making it perfectly clear they wanted me gone and somebody else in.
“To be fair to them, they were in a very difficult situation. I can’t for one minute suggest I was wanted at Liverpool.
“But hopefully everyone will accept this club made a considerable effort to get me and worked hard to persuade me to come and try to help preserve the status so, of course, I feel much more wanted. But I have been lucky. I felt wanted at Fulham and there aren’t that many clubs where I haven’t felt wanted.”
Fan Comments