Liverpool's beleaguered manager Roy Hodgson set to be given one more chance to save his job
Roy Hodgson appears to have been given one last chance to save his job after unexpectedly remaining as Liverpool manager on Thursday despite the mounting conviction of the clubs owners to end his six-month tenure.
By Rory Smith 11:00PM GMT 06 Jan 2011
He will attempt to hang on to his job, for what is expected to be the final time, in Sundays FA Cup tie against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The 63 year-old even received a minor boost as one of the leading contenders to replace him, Didier Deschamps, appeared to rule himself out of contention for the job.
Deschamps, the Marseille manager, impressed when he was interviewed by Liverpools previous hierarchy last summer and he had been identified by Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's parent company, as one of a handful of possible permanent replacements.
The former Chelsea player, though, insisted on Thursday he wished to remain at the Stade Velodrome for the foreseeable future. When I talk about being coach of Marseille in the new stadium, I mean it, said Deschamps.
It is an idea that pleases me. Two thousand and fourteen is a very long way away in my profession, but people should understand I am not a tramp. I proved it last year, [when] I could have left.
The Frenchmans apparent expression of loyalty will come as a blow to FSG, who are believed to be examining the credentials of a number of Europes most promising managers ahead of making the first permanent appointment of their reign in Merseyside in the summer.
Andre Villas Boas, the Porto manager and Jose Mourinhos former assistant, has been considered, though FSG harbour doubts over the 33 year-olds age and inexperience, while Jurgen Klopp, at Borussia Dortmund, is admired by Damien Comolli, Liverpools director of football strategy.
The 43 year-old has recently signed a contract extension with the Bundesliga side and has done little to suggest he would be willing to move.
Such problems, though, will not be enough to keep Hodgson at Anfield until the end of the season.
Though FSG had hoped to avoid the need to appoint a caretaker, Liverpools travails are now of such concern that Hodgson will be replaced as soon as an interim appointment has been identified.
The only question that remains is when that move will come. After the humiliating manner of the clubs 3-1 defeat to Blackburn, few expected Hodgson to survive the subsequent 24 hours.
FSG had already made it clear they were unimpressed with his failure to deliver improved performances and were concerned by the breakdown of his relationship with Liverpools fan base.
A comprehensive loss at a side seen as a joke since the departure of Sam Allardyce should have been the final straw.
Rumours swept Merseyside on Thursday but not only did the former Fulham manager report to work, arriving at the clubs Melwood training ground at 10.45am and departing a little after 3pm, he is expected to return for his weekly press conference on Friday, ahead of Sundays FA Cup tie against Manchester United.
Should he lead his team out against his great friend Sir Alex Ferguson, his reception from the 9,000 Liverpool supporters scheduled to make the trip up the M62 is unlikely to be warm.
Graffiti calling for Hodgsons exit was daubed on the walls of Liverpools training ground on Thursday, while the clubs fans have made it clear they wish to see Kenny Dalglish, the former manager, installed in Hodgsons stead, at least on a temporary basis. The Scots name has been chanted several times by a disaffected Kop.
He is, though, believed to be just one name under consideration for a caretaker role, alongside the likes of Ralf Rangnick the former Hoffenheim manager and even Phil Thompson, Liverpools former defender who performed a similar role when Gerard Houllier fell ill in 2001.
Dalglish offered to take the post temporarily before Hodgson was appointed pending the arrival of new owners and it is believed he would be willing to accept it on similar terms when FSG dispense with the man preferred by the clubs previous regime last summer.
