Roy can end embarrassing statistic
Posted on 08/06/2010Ian Wright, writing in the Sun, this morning blasts the "embarrassing" statistic that none of England's Big Four sides have been managed by an English boss since Roy Evans was in charge at Liverpool in 1998. Former England striker Wright belives that Roy Hodgson, currently in charge at Fulham, would bring the stability to Liverpool that they "desperately need" - in the process severing their 12-year run without an Englishman at the helm.
THE last Englishman to manage Liverpool was a bloke named Roy. In fact, Roy Evans, who left Anfield in 1998, was the last Englishman to manage any one of the Big Four.It's an embarrassing statistic and I thought it would be many more years before we saw someone from this country in the hotseat at Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester United.
But there is the possibility another Roy will be given the chance to sort out the Reds.If Roy Hodgson is appointed by Liverpool, it would be a victory for every English coach who has become increasingly frustrated with the obsession of always looking abroad for managerial talent.
Of course, there have been some excellent appointments from the continent.
But Liverpool are in desperate need of someone who can bring in some stability while making the best of the current resources.
He may be 62 but Hodgson deserves a chance to manage a top club in this country - even if they start next season without star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
And, having coached at Inter Milan and at international level, dealing with expectation is hardly going to be a problem.
I'd certainly have Hodgson ahead of someone like Roberto Mancini at Manchester City.
Hodgson's Fulham do not deliver amazing, breathtaking football. They play a good, solid tactical game and that is what is needed at Anfield right now.
Having said that, it's not as though fans on the Kop have been treated to too much stylish, swashbuckling football over the past few years.
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It was inevitable Rafa Benitez was going to leave the club when you look at their league position last season.
Liverpool fans will always point to the 2005 Champions League final win against AC Milan but, overall, that success only papered over the cracks.
So it would be a truly fantastic story if Hodgson, in the twilight of his career, could turn around the fortunes of one of the world's biggest clubs.
Fulham will miss him but I don't think even they would deny him the chance of becoming a rarity in football - an English manager at a top club.