LIVERPOOL'S 18TH MANAGER

LET's WELCOME THE NEW GAFFER 
ROY HODGESON

10 Things about Hodgeson

1. Roy's 34-year livelihood in management has taken him to 12 clubs in six countries, as well as three spells in charge of national teams. He likens his career to Russian expressionist painter Wassily Kandinsky. "I've gone sideways, backwards and then upwards again. If you did a graph of my career it would look like a Kandinsky painting."

2. When it comes to literature, Hodgson admits to being a fan of Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Philip Roth, whose titles include 'The Ghost Writer' and 'American Pastoral'. He is also an admirer of the work of Milan Kunder and John Updike.

3. Roy shouldn't have much trouble getting his views across to Liverpool's cosmopolitan squad - he is fluent in several languages including Italian, Swedish and Norwegian. He is also known to speak good German and some Danish, Japanese, French and Finnish.

4. Hodgson has participated in four UEFA Technical Study Groups and one with FIFA. He was invited to Euro 2008 as a member of UEFA's Technical Team.

5. Prior to his achievements in leading Fulham to the Europa League final, Hodgson had previously described his first job in Sweden as his finest moment. He said: "My greatest achievement would have to be the water-into-wine job at Halmstads."

6. Any new signing declaring his 'love' of Liverpool FC should beware. Hodgson once told the Telegraph newspaper: "We get all these agents saying their man would 'love to play for you, he's always loved Fulham Football Club'. What they are really saying is his wife wants to do a bit of shopping in Harrods. Once you've seen past that the next question is what sort of wages do you want. They umm and arr until you press them. Then you just say 'Don't bother ringing, don't waste our time or yours'."

7. If it wasn't already obvious from the vast number of countries he has managed in, Hodgson admits to having a love of travelling. "I'm lucky in that my job has taken me places and I always try to get out of the hotel and see the churches and sights."

8. Such was Hodgson's impact at Fulham that one of the Cottagers' celebrity fans, Hugh Grant, famously quipped at a film premiere: "I want to sleep with Roy Hodgson!"

9. Hodgson is a bit of a culture vulture. Not only does he enjoy literature but he is also a connoisseur of foreign film. Gerard Depardieu's recent French hit 'The Singer' is amongst his favourites.

10. Roy is a qualified PE teacher and is already well-informed when it comes to Liverpool culture as his wife Sheila hails from the city.

His History if you're interested.

Letter of Warning.

Joe Kinnear launches 4-letter tirade in press conference

Newcastle United's interim manager Joe Kinnear has launched an astonishing expletive-laden attack on his critics over the press coverage of his arrival on Tyneside. Kinnear, the surprise choice to fill the void left by Kevin Keegan's departure, swore more than 50 times during his first official press conference as manager of the Magpies and verbally attacked a number of journalists.

For the entire interview transcript, please click here

PS: this is like Linny swearing

Talk about Biting the Hand that feeds you

this guy is 吃里爬外。 Tell me why Manure players are manure.....

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LONDON - Cristiano Ronaldo believes FIFA president Sepp Blatter was right to controversially describe him as being treated like a "modern-day slave" by current club Manchester United.

Ronaldo was responding to Blatter's comments made earlier in the day, in which the head of world football insisted the player should be allowed to join Spanish giants Real Madrid if he wants to.

"I completely agree with the FIFA president," said the player currently resting in Portugal after undergoing an ankle operation.

He added: "The president is correct, but I do not want to say more."Real Madrid are believed to be prepared to offer around 85 million euros for the 23-year-old and pay him nine million euros on a five-year deal.

Ronaldo, a boyhood Real fan, has consistently been linked with a move to the Spanish capital since the end of last season after scoring an impressive 42 goals last term as United won both the Premier League and Champions League.

"There is no agreement with Real Madrid and I still don't know where I will be playing next season," Ronaldo said on Thursday, adding that he will be out for "10 to 12 weeks" to recover from his operation.

Wading into the protracted wrangle over the player's future, Blatter said that the current practice of tying players to long contracts amounts to "modern slavery".

And he urged Manchester United and Real Madrid "to sit together" if Ronaldo wants a move to the Spanish club."The important thing is we should also protect the player," Blatter told Sky News.

"If the player wants to play somewhere else, then a solution should be found because if he stays in a club where he does not feel comfortable to play then it's not good for the player and for the club.

"I'm always in favour of protecting the player and if the player, he wants to leave, let him leave."

Blatter believes the issue raises questions about the way transfers and contracts are dealt with in the game.

"I think in football there's too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere," he continued.

"We are trying now to intervene in such cases. The reaction to the Bosman law is to make long-lasting contacts in order to keep the players and then if he wants to leave, then there is only one solution, he has to pay his contract."

United issued a swift rebuke to Blatter's outburst, insisting that all their players were happy to sign contracts with the club and knew the consequences of entering into such an agreement.

A United spokesperson said: "All our players - like at other clubs - enter into their contracts after an open and free negotiation.

"Most of whom do after taking advice from a FIFA-registered agent.

"Many do so on a number of occasions and enjoy long and successful stays at Old Trafford."

UEFA's communications director William Gaillard, who serves as special advisor to European football governing body president Michel Platini, was also unimpressed by Blatter's outburst.

"It would be useful to remind people that slaves in all of the slavery systems never earned a wage," said Gaillard.

In contrast, Gaillard fears the Bosman ruling, which allows for free transfers at the end of contracts, has given players the upper hand and contributed to spiralling wages.

"It seems that both clubs and players are trying to negotiate an exit before the player is free," Gaillard said.

"It is a consequence of the Bosman ruling - there is nothing we can do about that.

"It is obvious that today, players have a lot more power than they did 20 years ago, undoubtedly, and agents have a lot more power than they did 20 years ago.

"It is true that salaries are spiralling out of control. Many clubs have pointed that out." - AFP/vm
Copyright © 2008 MediaCorp Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Finally Barry

Reds target Gareth Barry has been quoted today saying his mind is made up and he wishes to join Liverpool after a lack of communication from his current club Aston Villa.

Barry, Villa’s captain, told the News of the World “My mind’s made up, I want to join Liverpool.”

Recently we have seen Villa boss Martin O’Neill happy to discuss, make that rant about, the Barry situation whilst working as a pundit for BBC during Euro 2008, and before that in the press when he wrongly accused Liverpool of leaking the initial bid - something which it was later revealed was leaked from Villa’s end. But Barry hasn’t been impressed; “Villa kept saying they wanted me to stay but I have not heard from the manager for weeks.”

"It’s seven weeks now since the season finished but while the gaffer’s found time to be a pundit for the BBC at Euro 2008, he hasn’t found the time to speak to me.

“Have Villa offered me anything to try to persuade me my future is at Villa Park, not Anfield? Not a thing.”

Barry made it clear where he sees his future; “There’s no going back, it’s time for me to move on. I’m desperate to play Champions League football and that’s why I have to leave Villa.”

© This Is Anfield 2001-08. All Rights Reserved. Hosted by the good folks at Holidays-Abroad.com.

Luckless Spain no more...

Liverpool Ace Fernando Torres aka El Nino clinched it for Spain in the 33rrd min.

Where to watch Euro 2008 matches

UEFA EURO 2008™ will be screened “LIVE” at these McDonald’s™ restaurants

EPL Fixtures

The game at the Stadium of Light will take place on August 16 when the Reds will be looking for a similar performance to the one which gave them a 2-0 victory in the corresponding fixture last season.

Middlesbrough are the first visitors to Anfield the following weekend with Manchester United arriving on Merseyside in mid-September.

The first derby of the season takes place at Goodison Park on September 27 with the Anfield fixture on January 17.

Our Boxing Day clash next season will be a home game with Bolton while we will also end the campaign at home when Juande Ramos' Tottenham will be the opponents.

Please note that all of fixtures are subject to change for television purposes and/or police requests. It is envisaged that the first set of television fixtures will be confirmed only on Thursday, 3rd July.

Liverpool's fixture list for the 2008-09 Barclays Premier League campaign is as follows:

August:

16 Sunderland (a)
23 Middlesbrough (h)
30 Aston Villa (a)

September:

13 Manchester United (h)
20 Stoke City (h)
27 Everton (a)

October:

4 Manchester City (a)
18 Wigan Athletic (h)
25 Chelsea (a)
29 Portsmouth (h)

November:

1 Tottenham Hotspur (a)
8 West Bromwich Albion (h)
15 Bolton Wanderers (a)
22 Fulham (h)
29 West Ham United (h)

December:

6 Blackburn Rovers (a)
13 Hull City (h)
20 Arsenal (a)
26 Bolton Wanderers (h)
28 Newcastle United (a)

January:

10 Stoke City (a)
17 Everton (h)
27 Wigan Athletic (a)
31 Chelsea (h)

February:

7 Portsmouth (a)
21 Manchester City (h)
28 Middlesbrough (a)

March:

4 Sunderland (h)
14 Manchester United (a)
21 Aston Villa (h)

April:

4 Fulham (a)
11 Blackburn Rovers (h)
18 Arsenal (h)
25 Hull City (a)

May:

2 Newcastle United (h)
9 West Ham United (a)
16 West Bromwich Albion (a)
24 Tottenham Hotspur (h)

EPL Rumour Mills

Here's the latest transfer rumours, including the latest revelations in the Gareth Barry to Liverpool saga, and news of Chelsea and the Special One going to war - again, but this time over Deco.

We'll keep you up to date with all the big transfer stories throughout the summer.

Kop that - The Sun
Gareth Barry, the Aston Villa captain, has phoned Martin O'Neill to plead for a move to Anfield.

Jose out to Dec Chelsea - The Sun
Chelsea are facing a £10m tug-of-war with Jose Mourinho for Portugal star Deco.

Moyes in in with shout for Mout - The Sun
The Everton manager is planning a daring raid to snatch Portugal's Joao Moutinho from under the noses of Manchester United and Arsenal.

It's a done deal - Daily Mail
Chelsea have agreed a deal with Luiz Felipe Scolari to become the next manager of the club.

Lactics homing in on £5m Cisse - Daily Mirror
Wigan are ready to answer Djibril Cisse's 'come and get me' plea by making a £5m move.

Samba a City target - Daily Mail
Mark Hughes is ready to raid his old club for Christopher Samba rather than David Bentley.

Pompey Lass not for sale - Daily Mirror
Lassana Diarra is not for sale, claim Portsmouth, despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur

Benitez budget intact despite £33m Kop loss - The Guardian
The Liverpool manager has been assured of his transfer budget despite the club making substantial losses last year.

Crouch in rage - The Sun
The Liverpool forward has reacted angrily after learning he will be forced to rot in Liverpool’s reserves until he is sold.

Ferguson patience wears out over Saha - Daily Mirror
Louis Saha will be offered as bait, as Manchester United move for Karim Benzema, the £25m Lyons forward.

Milan ready to press forward while Hughes pauses on Jo deal - The Independent
Manchester City's desire to slow down negotiations for the £18m-rated Brazilian striker have allowed Milan and an unnamed Spanish club to express their interest.

Bayern plan £15m bid for Hleb - The Independent
Bayern Munich have joined the race for Alexander Hleb, and are willing to pay £15m for the Belarus winger.

How to join World Cup like Dat

Image courteousy of KM who was there

There's a return leg on Saturday, will we see a reversal of fortunes or shall we juz bet heavily on another lion-feast.

BPL: Relegation & ... ... ...

Birmingham and Reading were relegated from the Premier League on Sunday after rivals Fulham beat Portsmouth 1-0 in their final match to seal their survival.

Birmingham and Reading will be joined in the Championship next season by bottom side Derby, whose relegation from the top flight was confirmed several weeks ago.

Birmingham and Reading both went down fighting, winning their final matches in convincing fashion.

Birmingham beat Blackburn 4-1 while Reading were 4-0 winners at Derby.

Reading finished level with Fulham on points but were condemned by Goal difference while Birmingham finished a point further back.

in other news, Manure won the title.