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LONDON.
Former Liverpool coach Roy Hodgson has been appointed head coach of West Brom, the English Premier League club confirmed yesterday.
West Brom, who fired Roberto Di Matteo earlier this week, hired Hodgson just over a month after he was sacked by Liverpool.
Hodgson (63) was voted English football’s manager of the year last season, after successfully guiding Fulham to the Europa League Final. His new contract with the Baggies runs until June 2012, West Brom announced on their website. West Bromwich Albion are delighted to announce they have appointed Roy Hodgson as the club’s new head coach,” the statement read.
“The 63-year-old former Inter Milan, Switzerland, Fulham and Liverpool boss has committed himself to the club until June 2012.” Hodgson won the job ahead of the likes of former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton and ex-Albion star Martin Jol. The former Inter Milan and Switzerland manager may have failed at Liverpool, but his successful spell at Fulham persuaded Albion that he could thrive again at a smaller club.
He took over at Fulham in December 2007 and led the club to survival that season before a seventh-place finish in 2008-09 secured the Cottagers a place in Europe. An unlikely run to the Europa League final followed, where they were beaten by Atletico Madrid, with Hodgson leaving for Anfield soon after.
Hodgson is back in management just over a month after his departure from Anfield and he will not have to wait long for a chance to exact some revenge on his former club, with Liverpool due at The Hawthorns on April 2. Liverpool’s owners New England Sports Ventures put an end to Hodgson’s miserable spell on Merseyside on January 8 and installed club legend Kenny Dalglish, who has inspired an immediate up-turn in the team’s fortunes.
First-team coach Michael Appleton, who was appointed caretaker manager on Sunday after Di Matteo’s dismissal, will remain in charge for today’s crucial relegation showdown against fellow strugglers West Ham.
Albion, who have won only one of their last 10 matches in all competitions, are only two points clear of the drop zone and bottom of the table West Ham would climb above the Baggies with a win at The Hawthorns. — AFP.