West Brom appoint Hodgson head coach

Former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has been appointed head coach of West Brom, the Premier League club confirmed Friday.

West Brom, who fired Roberto Di Matteo earlier this week, hired Hodgson just over a month after he was sacked by Liverpool.

Hodgson, 63, was voted English football's manager of the year last season, after successfully guiding Fulham to the Europa League Final.

His new contract with the Baggies runs until June 2012, West Brom announced on their website.

"It was not my intention to return to Premier League football this quickly," Hodgson said.

"But I was so impressed by the way the chairman (Jeremy Peace) and the sporting and technical director (Dan Ashworth) sold the project to me that I was very happy to accept the offer.

"I am delighted that a club of West Bromwich Albion's stature has given me the opportunity to help them in their quest to retain their Premier League status and to build for the future.

"I hear that Michael has done a terrific job looking after the players this week and preparing them for Saturday's game.

"I know from my previous visits to The Hawthorns the kind of atmosphere the fans can generate and I am sure they will get right behind Michael and the team."

Hodgson won the job ahead of the likes of former Newcastle boss Chris Hughton and ex-Albion star Martin Jol.

The former Inter Milan and Switzerland manager may have failed at Liverpool, but his successful spell at Fulham persuaded Albion that he could thrive again at a smaller club.

He took over at Fulham in December 2007 and led the club to survival that season before a seventh-place finish in 2008-09 secured the Cottagers a place in Europe.

An unlikely run to the Europa League final followed, where they were beaten by Atletico Madrid, with Hodgson leaving for Anfield soon after.

Hodgson is back in management just over a month after his departure from Anfield and he will not have to wait long for a chance to exact some revenge on his former club, with Liverpool due at The Hawthorns on April 2.

Liverpool's owners New England Sports Ventures put an end to Hodgson's miserable spell on Merseyside on January 8 and installed club legend Kenny Dalglish, who has inspired an immediate up-turn in the team's fortunes.

First-team coach Michael Appleton, who was appointed caretaker manager on Sunday after Di Matteo's dismissal, will remain in charge for Saturday's crucial relegation showdown against fellow strugglers West Ham.

Albion, who have won only one of their last 10 matches in all competitions, are only two points clear of the drop zone and bottom of the table West Ham would climb above the Baggies with a win at The Hawthorns.

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