England’s Sweetheart

We Liverpool fans back our managers to the hilt; we support them through the good times and through the bad. We defend them as fiercely as possible whenever their tactics, signings or credentials are questioned - it’s how we’ve been for generations now. My dad drilled these beliefs into me and his dad drilled them into him. Over the past six years we’ve had to do this week in week out. We’ve had to listen to the media, pundits and fans up and down the country tell us that Rafa is no good in the transfer market, that zonal marking doesn’t work, that he is cracking up. Now that Rafa has gone, could defending our manager could be a thing of the past?

In stark contrast to Rafa, his replacement is England’s current sweetheart, Roy Hodgson. After securing Fulham’s safety in his first season, he then guided them to a 7th place finish in the Premier League the following season, their best ever finish. But the best was still to come, with a 7th place finish came European football at Craven Cottage for only the second time in history, and boy was it worth the wait. Craven Cottage played witness to some great European nights on their way to the final, beating the likes of Juventus, Shakhtar and Hamburg before finally succumbing to Atletico Madrid in extra time. Roy was hailed a hero and was rightfully awarded with the LMA manager of the year award with the biggest winning margin in its history.

Roy’s arrival at Anfield was met by widespread approval, from both the media and from Roy’s fans. It was something Liverpool fans are not used to - well wishes from rival fans. There were messages coming in wishing Roy all the best, saying what a great appointment it was and hoping that he does well at Liverpool. Surely not? Everton fans, Utd fans, Tottenham fans all confused with their love of Roy Hodgson and hatred of Liverpool Football Club. Over the past 12 months, Roy has won the hearts of many, turning his Fulham side into everyone’s second team – never has England as a collective nation wanted an English team to win a European trophy so badly.

Unfortunately this will never last. We live in a fickle world and as a nation we love nothing more than to knock those down that we have previously built up. If Roy doesn’t get off to the best of starts there is no doubt many of those who have so readily praised him will ignorantly label him a one season wonder and suggest that he isn’t good enough to manager a club like Liverpool. So let’s just sit and wait, and see just how long it takes for Roy to go from hero to zero in the eyes of many. I’m sure it won’t be long. But don’t worry Roy, we’ll still be here.