Its Official: Hodgson to Liverpool

Hodgson will have a lot on his plate as he faces the arduous task of leading a squad riddled with self-doubt and leaving players.

England’s search for an English manager will have to extend a bit further, and any attempts to sign up ex-Fulham boss Roy Hodgson need to be put on hold at least till 2012, as he signed a two year contract with no release clause with Liverpool.

Liverpool have been looking for a manager ever since the unceremonious departure of Rafa Benitez, who replaced Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan. While Mourinho had an outstanding season at Inter Milan, guiding them to yet another Scudetto and to the elusive Champions’ League glory, Benitez had an uninspiring season at Liverpool, as he watched Liverpool drop to seventh place and out of Europe’s elite competition.

Hodgson, who guided Fulham to the Europa League finals, has been in inspirational form all season, and was touted by many to be the next England manager. He was also always in the running for Liverpool ‘s top job, along with other names such Martin O’Neill and Alex McLeish.

Liverpool, who have endured their worst season in recent times that saw them bumped out of the Champions’ League in the first round itself. Liverpool also lost out on a top four finish in the Premier League. Liverpool fans will have plenty of questions to pose to the new boss as he takes up the Liverpool Challenge; the spurs of a club with a glorious history but no domestic success as of late.

The immediate questions, however, include the ability to retain both Liverpool star striker Fernando Torres and inspirational captain Steven Gerrard. With top clubs around Europe eyeing these two players, not least of which are Inter Milan, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City, and without the glitter of European football, Hodgson will have his hands full trying to keep the star pair at Anfield for Liverpool.

Hodgson faces a major task of reviving Liverpool ‘s fortunes after the disappointments of last season and amid the £350m debt placed on the club by its co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Hodgson has also been promised an initial transfer kitty of 15 million pounds. With the impending exit of Yossi Benayoun (who has been one of Liverpool’s only consistent performers last season) to Chelsea, Hodgson should have another 5-6 million added to his kitty. Even Javier Mascherano has confirmed interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan, and will be worth something around 35 million, especially after his good showing at the World Cup. So all in all, Roy and Liverpool should have at least 50 million pounds on his hands. Not to mention Torres was worth 70 million pounds to Chelsea, and Gerrard another 30 million, should they choose to leave Liverpool of course.

Kenny Dalglish, who put his own name in the bag for the manager’s post when asked to compile a list of competent managers for the job, is now expected to quit Liverpool after this announcement.