It didn't take Roy Hodgson long to jet off to Liverpool after incredibly guiding Fulham to the Europa League final in May. Ever since then, the Cottagers have been looking for an adequate replacement and a few weeks ago, former West Ham boss Alan Curbishley declared that his odds of landing the position would be very low in a highly competitive race to the Craven Cottage hotseat.

It feels like something out of a film. Our hero, a brown suited underslept journalist played by Jake Gyllenhaal, sits in the office, shooting screwn up paper into waste bins, getting ribbed by Robert Downey Jr and under pressure from his domineering boss (played by an older man with white hair).

As if scripted, when West Ham was looking for a leader to haul them back into Premiership survival, Scott Parker duly obliged. In every sense, Parker was the the only West Ham player you would not wished to suffer the agony of relegation. So immense were his heart and commitment to stave off relegation.

No matter what happens when U.S. coach Bob Bradley's contract runs out in December, he'll get his fourth chance to beat Brazil on Tuesday.
"I had a few discussions with U.S. Soccer," said Bradley. "This fixture date comes at a tricky time, and so we agreed it was most important to get on and prepare for this date and then we would have some discussions following this game.

When Aston Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner issued a club statement Sunday afternoon announcing that the Midlands side had identified the two most important traits in the search for a new manager, US coach Bob Bradley was effectively ruled out of the running. The first trait was they wanted candidates with experience managing in the Premier League.

Luis Boa Morte joined West Ham in January 2007. He was signed by Alan Curbishley to help West Ham ward off relegation that season. I don't know if it is a coincidence but the return from injury of a "ready" Boa Morte at a crucial juncture for West Ham this season has a ring of deja vu about it.

Well, that is that then. Arguably the nicest man in football was dismissed by West Ham earlier today. Some will be rejoicing, some will have sympathy for Zola and some just won't care. Personally, I think Zola has been badly short changed by the club but we will come to that in a minute.

Firstly, the facts.

I no longer believe anything I read in the media. I think they are scavengers desperate for news to fill their ever expanding empires of greed. I'm also eternally optimistic and, despite the evidence to the contrary, have been hoping that Roy would eventually turn down Liverpool (and/or England) and commit himself to Fulham.

The always-reliable Sun is reporting that Bob Bradley is currently topping Fulham's list as Roy Hodgson's replacement.

"Bradley has emerged as the front-runner after Hodgson's move to the Liverpool hotseat.

Sven Goran Eriksson, Mark Hughes and Alan Curbishley have all been linked with the Craven Cottage job.

He may have to trade that look for a suit and tie

The Cottagers are still looking for a coach with Alan Curbishley turning them down and now Bob Bradley is the name mentioned the most.

Fulhamerica's long association with US national team soccer is already well established. But Bob Bradley?

Due to the sudden departure of former boss Martin O'Neill, Aston Villa has been without a long term manager following their first three weeks of Premier League action and the club will most likely have a new manager by their next match set to be played on Monday, September 13th. All Premier League sides have this upcoming weekend off due to the debut matches of Euro 2012 qualifications and Villa will use the brief holiday effectively by trying to land their new coach in what Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner has referred to as a 'beauty parade' of potential candidates.

News this afternoon that Alan Pardew has gone past both Alan Curbishley and Martin O'Neill in this afternoon's betting, to become the new odds-on favorite to be the next Newcastle manager. Alan Pardew odds-on favorite to be new Newcastle manager And there are rumors that some betting establishments are now refusing to take bets [.

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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Check out the cutting-edge/continually-updated/football-only, quasi-blog/quasi-board QPR Report Messageboard! ALL QPR Perspectives Welcome
- Death (Murder) of a QPR Fan
- Two Year Flashback: QPR's FA Cup Game at Chelsea: QPR Team: Camp, Barker, Mahon, Stewart, Blackstock, Buzsaky (Lee 50), Ainsworth (Agyemang 46), Rowlands, Connolly, Ephraim (Balanta 66), Hall.

So it's official then, Owen Coyle will be the new manager of Bolton Wanderers and Burnley now have to find the right man to replace him as they look to continue the good work this season has produced. It is crucial that the chairman, Barry Kilby, makes the right decision in who to appoint as Coyle's successor at Turf Moor.

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QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
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- Teamalk "Stat of the Day" - QPR have not won an FA Cup match in their last 13 games in the competition (since 2001) a dismal run that is longer than any other side in the Football League.

By Ollie Irish

Burnley's new gaffer, Brian Laws, surveys one corner of his new domain, aka Turf Moor. [Photo: PA]

Many Burnley fans seem to be wholly unimpressed with Laws' appointment, but consider that he did a very good job at Sheffield Wednesday, on very limited resources; he deserves his chance to take the hot seat at a Prem club.

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QPR Official Site - CLUB STATEMENT Fri 15 Jan 2010
- The Club can confirm that Manager Paul Hart has decided to leave Queens Park Rangers Football Club with immediate effect.

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QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
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- - Press Report Compilation on Paul Hart's Departure
- Past QPR Managerial Appointment and Departure Announcements
- Flashback: Hart Arrives/Not Afraid of the Sack and the Sack Betting
- Ecclestone Not Sure FIA Will Proceed With Crashgate Appeal re Briatore
- Tommy Doherty Feuds with Waddock/Departs Wycombe
- Ex-QPR Goalie Jan Stejskal Birthday
- Ex-QPR Trevor Challis Retires from Injury
Paul Warburton/Ealing Gazette - Paul Hart axed over long-ball tactics
- PAUL Hart's refusal to play anything but the long-ball game cost him the manager's job at QPR last night after just five games.

Big Story

The Flavio Briatore revolution continues at Loftus Road, and that door sure is revolving fast. News emerged yesterday that Phil Hart has resigned as manager of Queen's Park Rangers (reports here, here, here and here). That would make him the sixth manager to depart in the two and a half years since Briatore has been club chairman (and that doesn't include caretaker managers).

In a refreshing change of events, former Birmingham City owners, David Gold and David Sullivan took control of the Hammers and admitted straightaway the mess that West Ham United have been battling with. Since the crashing collapse of the Icelandic banking system, West Ham had been financially stricken and the true extent of the footballing debt is now apparent.

Like me, many of you may have had a bad year last year. You might have lost your job, had health worries, had marital problems... It happens, but the key thing is to use the start of a new year as the impetus to move on and enjoy better fortunes. So it is for West Ham too.
During 2009, barely a week went by when we weren't being told about The Hammers' escalating financial deficit.

So, after months of doubt and negotiations, West Ham United was sold on Tuesday. There were a number of bidders, some more serious than others for the famous old club but we now have a winner, ladies and gentlemen. The club has returned to the bosom of the east end (well, the leafy suburbs of Essex) in the hands of the two Davids'.

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- Ex-Chairman Bill Power (BP) Update
- The Big Unanswered Question: How Much of a Change Really Took Place?

Firstly, many thanks to everyone who has been in touch about the blogging over the last couple of days. Obviously it'd be far better not to have to write entries like that but your feedback is always very welcome and much appreciated. Thank you.

To those who have had a pop, accusing me of being biased, the clue is in the name of the blog, you fucking morons.

Is almost a song by Meatloaf; mangled here by a well groovy dude.
Phil Brown (for it is he), dodgy perma-tan and half-time talks, is no more. He's gone.
Oh, and btw.....It's the old bear tonight. She's out.
And, as usual, Liverpool are on 5Live. They are combating a broken Portsmouth.

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- Some Old QPR Video Snippets of Loftus Road (Non-Playing Moments)
- Preston vs QPR: Previews and Stats
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Striker, Sunil Chhetri, has now Signed for Kansas City Wizards
- Ex-QPR Lee Camp ranked in top Five Championship Goalies.

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- QPR REPORT Available on TWITTER!
- Visit the QPR Report Messageboard for discussion and latest QPR Updates throughout the day. Your views are welcome!
- Some Old QPR Video Snippets of Loftus Road (Non-Playing Moments)
- Preston vs QPR: Previews and Stats
- Almost-QPR's Indian International Striker, Sunil Chhetri, has now Signed for Kansas City Wizards
- Ex-QPR Lee Camp ranked in top Five Championship Goalies.

Relegation battles can be such nail-biters that hardly any fan would like to go through. Here are some of the more dramatic Premier League relegation battles in recent history.
West Bromwich Albion, 2005
West Brom claim the top spot in this list as the only club to be bottom of the Premier league at Christmas and survive.

With West Ham's win over Wigan, the Hammers have ensured their survival in the Premiership. It has been a difficult second year for manager Gianfranco Zola, from cracking the top ten in his inaugural year to a must win against Wigan to keep continued representation in top flight.

The Icelandic banking crisis resulted in a ownership vaccuum as Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson gave way to CB Holdings and then onto majority owners David Gold and David Sullivan.

Sums up everything nicely:

In six months, the Benitez era will seem like a golden age

In the dressing room and on the balance sheet, Liverpool have fallen over the edge, writes Dion Fanning.

I f Liverpool thought this season was bad, the summer may have them looking back wistfully.

Italian leaves Upton Park after less than two years as Hammers boss.

Win the Club Shirt Of Your Choice Simply by Speaking Your Mind!

West Ham have sacked manager Gianfranco Zola after less than two years in charge at Upton Park.
The former Chelsea player, who had no previous managerial experience at club level, took over from Alan Curbishley in September 2008.

With the England team in disarray and needing victory against Slovenia in their last Group game to progress, it seems that both fans and player's are at loggerheads after two poor performances already in South Africa from England. But here's a look at what Premier League clubs are up to as they seek to strengthen their squads before the big kick-off in August.

Roy Hodgson will be named Liverpool manager Wednesday after agreeing a two-year deal to replace Rafa Benitez worth around £3million a year.

It has been a month since Benitez has left, but after interviews with Manuel Pellegrini and Didier Deschamps, Liverpool decided that Hodgson was their man.

By Chris Wright

According to a report in today's Daily Mirror, Fulham are poised to open talks with former fan's favourite Lee Clark over succeeding Roy Hodgson at the Craven Cottage helm.

Clark is currently in charge at League One side Huddersfield and, pending permission from Terriers chairman Dean Hoyle, could be interviewd for the vacant post at some point in the next 48 hours.

Despite possessing a great desire to return to coaching in the Barclays Premier League, former Charlton Athletic and West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley admits that he is likely out of the running for the Fulham job. Ever since Roy Hodgson's departure to Liverpool, reports have linked Curbishley to the Cottagers.

Despite possessing a great desire to return to coaching in the Barclays Premier League, former Charlton Athletic and West Ham United manager Alan Curbishley admits that he is likely out of the running for the Fulham job. Ever since Roy Hodgson's departure to Liverpool, reports have linked Curbishley to the Cottagers.

By Chris Wright

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is understood to have held informal talks with Fulham over succeeding Roy Hodgson in the Craven Cottage hotseat.

Hitzfeld has two years left to run on his contract with the Swiss national team, but it is thought that the lure of managing in the Premier League may be enough to tempt the veteran German manager into prematurely severing his ties with the Swiss Football Association (SFV-ASF).

Post-World Cup

Viewership of the World Cup Final was up 41% compared to the last World Cup with some 15.5 million watching on ABC and 8.8 million watching on Univision, that 24.3 million making the final more watched than the any game of the last World Series, the Stanley Cup, and the NBA Finals, not to mention the last Daytona 500.

Mark Hughes's career has been the epitome of a roller-coaster ride. And after the low point that was his public and unceremonious sacking by Manchester City, Sparky looks to return to the height of achievement he once had while managing Blackburn Rovers and the Welsh national team. Craven Cottage is probably one of the best places to do so, at least Roy Hodgson thinks as much.

After seemingly missing out on the Fulham job, it seems that American National Team boss, Bob Bradley, is an early favorite to take over the hot seat at Villa Park.
The coach has made a habit of getting some really good results over bigger nations, and that mentality might give him a head start.