Soccer:Roy Hodgson will be named Liverpool manager in the next 24 hours, according to reports on Merseyside. It is understood the Reds have agreed a compensation package with Fulham for the 62-year-old's release.
Hodgson was reportedly due on Merseyside today to complete the formalities of the deal which will see him succeed Rafael Benitez, whose six-year spell at Anfield was ended by mutual consent earlier this month after a disappointing season.
Liverpool have remained tight-lipped regarding developments in the search for Benitez’s replacement, leaving numerous names to be linked with the post.
Former boss Kenny Dalglish, now an Academy ambassador at the club, was tasked with assisting managing director Christian Purslow in identifying the right man before emerging as a serious candidate for a second stint at the helm.
Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill, Marseille coach Didier Deschamps, Galatasaray’s Frank Rijkaard and former Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini were among those also talked about, but Hodgson was widely believed to be the number one contender.
The Fulham manager’s stock has risen sharply since guiding the unfancied Cottagers to the final of the Europa League last season - beating Juventus along the way.
A seventh-place finish in the 2008/09 Premier League campaign also represented uncharted territory, and Hodgson excelled in the league once again last term as he kept Fulham comfortably in mid-table throughout.
He was named manager of the year by the League Managers Association in 2009/10. Hodgson started out in management in 1976 with Swedish side Halmstad and also counts Bristol City, Inter Milan and Blackburn among his former clubs.
He has also managed at international level with Switzerland, Finland and United Arab Emirates.
Meanwhile, Serbia striker Milan Jovanovic has rejected rumours he could pull out of his proposed move to Liverpool.
Recent reports have suggested Benitez was trying to hijack Jovanovic's move to Anfield by bringing him to Inter Milan.
Jovanovic agreed a pre-contract with Liverpool in February, when Benitez was still in charge at Anfield, and he insists the Spaniard's departure from the club will no have bearing on his switch to Merseyside.
The 29-year-old insists he will link up with his new team-mates next month once he receives his work permit.
"I am going to Liverpool. I have signed there for three years. I repeat: no pre-agreement - a real contract," Jovanovic told Nieuwsblad. "And the departure of Benitez changes nothing. I have maintained contact with the executive board of Liverpool and everything is good.
"I am working to arrange my visa for England. Next week I go there to collect my work permit.
"Everything is in order since in the last two years I have played 75 per cent of the matches for my national side. Next I am looking for a house.
"On the 14th or 15th July I will join the squad for a training camp in Switzerland. But, as from Thursday, I want to start my individual training programme so I can show them immediately that I am worth a place in the side."