Even before Liverpool’s home defeat to Blackpool on Sunday, Reds boss Roy Hodgson was already feeling the strain of his first three months in charge at Anfield. Responding to journalists who questioned whether his methods were failing, Roy snapped back, saying:
“Unbelievable. What do you mean by that? In 35 years, how many clubs have I had? What do you mean do my methods translate? They have translated from Halmstads to Malmo to Orebo to Neuchatel Xamax to the Swiss national team, so I find the question insulting. To suggest that, because I have moved from one club to another, that the methods which have stood me in good stead for 35 years and made me one of the most respected coaches in Europe don’t suddenly work is very hard to believe. Experience is an important quality for any manager. We have a job to do and we know what to do.”
From any other boss, these remarks would appear stubborn, even arrogant. But considering his general calm demeanour and overall humility, they seem to me to be out of character, and appear to be sparked by the increasing pressure that being Liverpool boss has put him under. Anyone who manages at the top level is aware of the stresses and strains that the job comes with, and it is not as though Roy hasn’t experienced them before. He took over at Inter Milan in 1995 with the club struggling in Serie A after six matches, and he guided the team to 7th place that season. This quote from Inter chairman Massimo Moratti has been repeated many times:
“Roy Hodgson was an important person in the development of Inter Milan to the point we have reached today. He saved us at the right time. When he came we were in trouble, and things appeared dark. He didn’t panic, he was calm and made us calm. Disaster was averted at the most important time. Everyone at Inter will remember him for that and his contribution. He is considered by us all as an important person in our history. He left an endowment to this club that’s important in our history.”
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those so called “underdogs” were among the top teams in their own country and im sure they carried a lot of pressure also
I honestly dont think Roys the man for us. But one of the questions that have to be asked was he backed properly in the T/Window? Answer simply NO look at our signings & outgoings plus can we compare Poulsen to Masch? Any manager we get needs backed properly with no half measures even King Kenny!! One thing for sure Kenny would lift everyones spirits the players & supporters i dont think Roy ever will.
Dalglish please…
He plays Poulsen as a defensive midfielder who doesn’t defend (see him ambling back for both goals yesterday), and plays Meirelles, Cole, Jovanovic, Babel, Kuyt, Agger out of position.
Instead of elevating himself to Liverpool’s standards, he’s bringing Liverpool down to his level – which is lower half of the table. If Liverpool wanted to win trophies, they should have installed a manager that actually has done that.
Time for the return of The king.