|
|
Roy Hodgson on verge of resigning from Fulham to force Liverpool switch
Chairman Al Fayed unwilling to let manager leave Craven Cottage
By Wayne Veysey | Chief correspondent
Roy Hodgson is on the verge of resigning from Fulham to force through his appointment as the new Liverpool manager, Goal.com UK can reveal.
Liverpool were granted permission to speak to the 62-year-old two weeks ago and were confident they could announce Hodgson as Rafael Benitez’s successor on Thursday.
But Fulham owner and chairman Mohamed Al Fayed is digging in his heels because he does not want Hodgson to go.
Fayed does not believe that £2.5 million – the compensation clause written into Hodgson’s 12-month rolling contract – is sufficient for a manager who took the club to their first European final last month and has been strongly linked with the England position.
It is understood Liverpool and Fulham have had discussions about the London club taking a number of young first-team fringe players from Merseyside to Craven Cottage to force through Hodgson’s switch rather than pay a flat fee.
Talks have broken down over which players should be included in the deal and Hodgon's departure is becoming increasingly fractious. Sources say Hodgson will resign either on Wednesday or Thursday in order to take over at Anfield with immediate effect.
Liverpool have decided to act quickly after the Football Association revealed it has given itself a fortnight to consider the future of Fabio Capello following England’s humiliating World Cup exit.
Hodgson was unwilling to commit to Liverpool before England's make-or-break World Cup group game against Slovenia last week but has now decided that the challenge of managing a club of such prestige is too good to miss, despite boardroom instability.
Hodgson has already told the Anfield club that he wants to take his Fulham assistant Mike Kelly to Liverpool.
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
How England player's chances were affected by Belgium victory
Ashley Young all but secured his place in the starting line-up against France while captain Steven Gerrard put a good shift in. Joe Hart, however, needs to remain focused
-
Poll: Who should have replaced Cahill in the England squad?
Martin Kelly has replaced Cahill in the Three Lions squad going to Poland and Ukraine, but would Rio Ferdinand or Micah Richards have been more deserving?
-
Cartoon: Terry & Cahill add to England's injury concerns
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day...
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
