Soccer

Gerrard and Carragher back Hodgson

Soccer:  Liverpool veterans Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher believe have given new England manager and former reds boss Roy…

Wed May 02 2012 - 01:00

Soccer:  Liverpool veterans Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher believe have given new England manager and former reds boss Roy Hodgson their full backing as national team boss.

Hodgson endured a difficult 191-day reign at Anfield which resulted in his departure in January 2011 after a run of poor results, but Gerrard believes the 64-year-old took the reins at the wrong time, when the club was going through internal turmoil, with Fenway Sports Group taking over from the dysfunctional regime of Tom Hicks and George Gillett in the October.

Despite accusations he was not up to the job of matching expectations at Anfield, Gerrard thinks it was a bad time for Hodgson to replace Rafael Benitez, a fans favourite after leading the club to their famous 2005 Champions League triumph.

“Roy is a good manager. I’ve worked with him before but I think he took the Liverpool job at the wrong time,” said the 31-year-old. “My opinion of him has not changed before he got the (Liverpool) job, while he had the job and after it.

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“He was very good technically, very thorough, a great guy and very loyal among the players. I think he is a good appointment. I think all the candidates the media were saying were in the running were all good candidates. Like any other England manager Roy will be judged on results so we will see how it goes, but I am certainly looking forward to working with him again.”

Carragher, who retired from international football after the 2010 World Cup, added his support for Hodgson.

“I am delighted for him,” said the veteran centre-back. “There was obviously a lot of talk about different candidates but the FA took their time, made their decision and now I think it is important we all get behind the manager and support him.

“We all want a good and successful England team. Working with him for the short time he was here I got on great with him and respected him. I am pleased for him to get another crack at it. It was difficult what happened to him here at Liverpool but it’s another chance for him on a really big stage.

“I hope it goes well.”