Roy Hodgson will be named Liverpool manager today after agreeing
a two-year deal to replace Rafa Benitez.
Anfield bosses have ended a month-long search for Benitez's
successor after assessing a short-list that also included Manuel
Pellegrini and Didier Deschamps.
Hodgson's experience and recent track record at Fulham gave him
a decisive edge, and he will begin his Anfield reign with immediate
effect on a two-year deal worth around £3million a year. Fulham
will receive around £2.5m in compensation.
The 62-year old will bring assistant-manager and goalkeeping
coach Mike Kelly with him to Anfield and will waste no time trying
to persuade Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to stay put.
Gerrard is a leading target for the Spanish club along with
Chelsea left back Ashley Cole. Real director general Jorge intend
to bring in two more players, following the arrival of Argentina
winger Angel di Maria from Benfica in a £20million deal.
Alan Curbishley has been installed as the clear favourite to
replace Hodgson as manager of Fulham. The former Charlton and West
Ham boss is on a short list at Craven Cottage which also includes
Sven Goran Eriksson and Mark Hughes.
Former England manager Eriksson, who is a free agent after
standing down as Ivory Coast coach, is aware of Fulham's interest
and would be tempted by a return to the Premier League. Hughes has
rejected the chance of a lucrative contract with Dubai team Al
Ahli.
