Houllier backs Hodgson to take over

The following story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club:

ROY HODGSON has been backed to become new Liverpool manager by Gerard Houllier.

Hodgson has emerged as a front-runner to take over at Anfield after Rafael Benitez left the club on Thursday after six years in charge.

The 62-year-old has admirers inside the Liverpool boardroom for the manner in which he guided Fulham to the Europa League final on a modest budget last month.

And former Anfield manager Houllier is convinced Hodgson's vasy coaching experience - which includes spells at Inter Milan and the Swiss and Finnish international teams - makes him a wise choice.

"Roy has done very well with an average team at Fulham," said Houllier.

"I would be delighted if he could coach Liverpool in his career as he deserves it. He's used to coaching stars. Don't forget he was at Inter Milan as well."

While both Guus Hiddink and Frank Rijkaard appear to have ruled themselves out of the running, a clutch of another names have been linked with the vacant position in recent days.

Harry Redknapp, Marcello Lippi and Sven-Goran Eriksson can be added to a list that already includes Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish, Martin O'Neill and Louis van Gaal.

Fulham are keen to hold on the Hodgson after his success at Craven Cottage, but goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer admits he wouldn't blame the manager for taking up the challenge at Anfield if offered the chance.

"How important is it Hodgson stays at Fulham? It is massive," said Schwarzer. "The gaffer is huge for Fulham.

"He has done a remarkable job at the club during the past two-and-a-half years. It doesn't surprise me if a number of clubs would be after him as a manager given his superb record."

Schwarzer added: "The gaffer is at that stage of this career where he is thinking 'will this sort of opportunity come around again?'

"I suppose in a lot of ways you can't blame the guy if an opportunity like this came along. We hope he doesn't go, we hope he stays at Fulham, but we will have to wait and see what happens.

But I wouldn't blame him at all (if he decides to move), not at all. It is Liverpool you are talking about, a huge club, who normally compete in the Champions League every season.

There are four or five such clubs in the country and there would be very few managers or players who would find it difficult to resist going to them."

Benitez, meanwhile, is expected to hold talks with Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti in the coming days with a view to taking over from Jose Mourinho, who has departed for Real Madrid.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.