LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Roy Hodgson has left Fulham and has agreed to a three-year contract to replace Rafa Benitez as Liverpool’s manager.
The 62-year-old Englishman, who led Fulham to the Europa League final last season, takes over a team that finished seventh in the Premier League and failed to qualify for this season’s Champions League. Benitez left Liverpool after six seasons to replace Jose Mourinho at European champion Inter Milan. Mourinho took over Real Madrid.
Hodgson saved Fulham from relegation in 2008 and guided the west London club to an all-time best seventh place a season later. Helped by American midfielder Clint Dempsey, Fulham reached the second major final in the club’s 131-year history, losing 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in Hamburg. The Cottagers finished 12th in the Premier League.
