Soccer:West Brom have confirmed the appointment of Roy Hodgson as head coach on a contract until June 2012. The 63-year-old, who parted company with Liverpool five weeks ago after an ill-fated six-month stint at Anfield, succeeds Roberto di Matteo in the Albion hotseat.

Di Matteo was relieved of his duties and placed on gardening leave on Sunday following a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City — the Baggies’ 13th defeat in 18 games in all competitions.

Former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton had had been widely tipped as a strong candidate while Steve McClaren, former Albion skipper Derek McInnes and ex-West Brom player Martin Jol were also linked with the role.

Last weekend’s defeat left Albion only two points clear of the Premier League relegation zone. First-team coach Michael Appleton was handed the reins on a caretaker basis while a replacement was sought, and will remain in charge for tomorrow’s game against fellow strugglers West Ham.

A club statement today read: “West Bromwich Albion are delighted to announce they have appointed Roy Hodgson as the club’s new head coach. The 63-year-old former Inter Milan, Switzerland, Fulham and Liverpool boss has this morning committed himself to the club until June 2012.”

Hodgson’s appointment comes just over a month after his departure from Anfield - and he will not have to wait long to face his former club, with Kenny Dalglish’s Reds due at The Hawthorns on April 2nd.

Liverpool’s owners New England Sports Ventures put an end to Hodgson’s miserable spell on Merseyside on January 8th and immediately installed club legend Dalglish to take over in the interim.

Although the Reds’ statement at the time said Hodgson’s departure was by mutual consent there is no doubt the club’s American owners pulled the trigger — especially as less than a fortnight ago earlier the manager insisted he had no intention of resigning.