While Hodgson may hold the distinction of looking the least like a frog (but most like an Owl) of any of the quartet, he may also hold the least sympathy amongst his own fan base with the knives already so sharp on Merseyside you could carve a Turkey (or an Owl) there before you even got it home. Whether he keeps his job or not (and I’m making this as ambiguous as possible for quick editing purposes) his reign has never felt fully embraced at Anfield, and it’s hard to see anything happening to ease his troubles or see him enjoy the kind of fawning adulation his predecessor Rafa Benitez did with sections of the Kop; an adulation which saw his bizarre capitulation glossed over by many.
But Benitez at least had history and even Woy’s own mother would find it hard to claim he’s done anything resembling a good job there, but it must be held in account that the situation was hardly anything like ideal when he arrived. In fact much like Baron Von Grant Back at West Ham, he was brought in to stop the rot more than bring instant success, something that – again like Grant – he’s failed to do, but something which has been largely forgotten when the reasons for wanting him out are raised. Unlike Mark Bright, who went on a good old-fashioned radio tirade against the “deluded” Liverpool fans gunning for his head, I do actually think they deserve a manager befitting their historical status.
However they shouldn’t blast Hodgson for not being that man. Yes success was hoped for, but with the money troubles, poor squad depth, low morale and countless injuries he’s inherited and contended with since arriving, the primary objective was stabilisation. Those claiming he was never good enough are getting a bit ahead of themselves. The best managers, like the best players, want to play in the Champions League. Hodgson wasn’t brought in to win them that, so not being someone who can isn’t an accusation you can really level at him. Liverpool finished 7th last year, the same or above that should be the aim right now, and with the season we’re having he could well achieve it. At least give him a full year to try surely?
The vocal minority calling for Dalglish would also do well to remember all the other times an old hero was brought back to rescue their floundering club. I can’t recall a supremely successful instant (though I’m sure there must be some) but the returning failures of Messiah Kev, Howard Kendall and even Sir Matt Busby for one season in 1970 all stand out and as testament to idea a returning great is never a sure thing, and often a dodgy one. But if Hodgson was to go, it couldn’t really be argued that it wasn’t deserved, and certainly not by the modern standards of football management where even hugely popular managers are sacked by Chairman with eyes bigger than their mouths.
Such is the way these days that any manager bar Ferguson could be out by tomorrow morning and none would seem too far fetched a surprise. Ancelotti’s job is still in question despite being the reigning League and FA Cup Champion, holding the full support of his players (as evidenced by England’s Lion ™ John Terry’s celebration on Sunday) and clearly rattled by the enforced (read needless meddling) departure of Butch Uncle Fester. Anyone who seriously wants him out lives at Knee-Jerk Towers, just off Lack of Perspective Lane, a glorious shrine to the here and now where any notion of the near-recent past is consigned to the golden encrusted truffle bins.
One of the most annoying sights of the Christmas period – Lucas and Walliams in drag again aside – was the improved form of Newcastle and Blackburn. Both teams jettisoned decent, well liked and successful (relative to their outside perception) bosses for reasons many felt were unjust and arrogant. With all the greatest will in the world to both, many neutral fans wanted them karmically punished for such bad practice but their good form only goes to bolster the idea that changing a manager on a knee-jerk whim after half a season is a viable and often profitable exercise.
This will have been the thinking in at least some corners of the boardroom at Villa, West Ham, Liverpool and Chelsea today, and it seems like yet another reason why only the masochistic would want to bother themselves with it. Why should they stress over their work only to have their livelihood decided by chicken farmers and porn magnates? I mean why the hell would you? And if you did, you’d be moaning like mad in every interview too. Course you would. And to that extent, you’d probably make a really great manager.
This article was first published on FootballFanCast.com
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Very enjoyable read. As if the pressure on Hodgson, Grant, Ancelotti and Houllier wasn’t enough, now Brian Laws is looking for work too.