Everything in football is cyclical. In a few years when we are toasting Leeds winning the European Cup, marvelling at their meteoric rise back to the precipice of footballing glory many might ask the question how long does it take? The answer it would seem is 13 years and two months as thats when Roy Hodgson last found himself in a similar position as he is tonight but will he do the honourable thing or repeat history and be as "arrogant" as he ways back then ?
On the 21st of November 1998 Blackburn Rovers owner gave him the chance to resign honourably, but he refused to do so, leaving the club with no option but to sack him: "To Blackburn's honour, Jack Walker wanted me to resign, he wanted to still pay for the rest of my contract. He said, 'Why don't you resign? You've had enough, it's not working out.' I refused to do that, arrogant of course as I was in those days. I thought if they stuck with me I'd save them from relegation. I do think that the players were very much still with me, so I couldn't resign because that would be a suggestion that in some way I was doing something or something was happening which I didn't see to be the case or the truth. I gave him no choice but to sack me.."
Roy Hodgson
December 1998
Saturday, November 21, 1998 Published at 19:26 GMT
Hodgson quits as Rovers hit bottom
Blackburn have struggled since winning the Premiership title in 1995
Blackburn Rovers 0 Southampton 2
Roy Hodgson has parted company with Blackburn Rovers after the club hit rock bottom following a humiliating defeat at the hands of relegation rivals Southampton.
Hodgson wrote in his regular Saturday newspaper column only hours before the game: "The way a manager behaves in times of crisis can often be the decisive factor in determining whether a team pulls through or slides deeper into trouble."
Rovers fans will hope his decision to quit will not be the decisive factor leading to their relegation.
Two wins this season
The club, who won the championship only three years ago, have won only two Premiership games this season. Roy Hodgson has thrown the towel in.
Ironically, Hodgson had been touted as the next England manager and angry Blackburn fans were mockingly chanting "Hodgson for England" towards the end of game.
Hodgson failed to appear at the post-match press conference, and instead, chief executive John Williams announced that he had left the club.
A club statement said: "Following the run of recent poor results, Jack Walker and Roy Hodgson have agreed that Roy will be leaving the club.
"The club are disappointed at this outcome but feel the decision is inevitable and in the best interests of Blackburn Rovers."
Few would have expected Hodgson's Ewood Park career to end in such circumstances after he joined in a blaze of glory from Inter Milan in June 1997.
The former Switzerland coach had a CV which was the envy of most coaches and he was one of the hottest managerial properties in Europe.
He enhanced his reputation in his first season by leading Rovers into Europe.
He was even contacted by the German FA when they were searching for a successor to Berti Vogts.
Spending spree
Since the end of last season he spent £20m on strengthening his side, but instead of challenging for the top, he found his team battling against relegation.
It is expected that Hodgson's assistant Tony Parkes will be asked to take up the managerial reigns again until a successor is found.
The side's captain,Tim Sherwood, felt Hodgson had paid the price for the poor sequence of results.
Sherwood, who had his rows with Hodgson this season, said: "We had no inclination that this was going to happen.
"I think it's harsh to put sole blame on Roy Hodgson, but at the end of the day, results speak louder than words, and we have not been getting them.
"You have to respect Jack Walker's decision because the buck stops with the manager. It's Jack's club and Jack's money, and as a player and captain of this club, I respect whatever decision he makes."
New Item from 1998
ROY HODGSON was sensationally sacked last night after Blackburn Rovers had been dumped on the bottom of the Premiership.
The pounds 1million-a-year boss has presided over a run in which Rovers have taken just five out of 33 points and owner Jack Walker had had enough.
The news was announced by chief executive John Williams who read from a prepared statement.
He said: "The manager will not be coming up to speak to the press.
Following a meeting between Geoff Walker and Roy Hodgson, it has been agreed he will be leaving.
"The club is disappointed but the decision was inevitable and in the best interests of Blackburn Rovers."
Hodgson did not make himself available after seeing the 2-0 defeat by Southampton, their fellow strugglers.
And after the shocking loss, Rovers were booed off the field.
Hodgson, who was just a year into a three-year deal worth pounds 3million, came with an illustrious reputation.
He was highly thought of as Switzerland's national boss and came direct from a spell with Inter Milan.
In his first season, Rovers looked as if they might emulate Kenny Dalglish's achievements and win the championship.
But since the New Year results have been poor and despite a huge financial outlay, Hodgson has failed to stem the slump.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+Blackburn+sack+boss+Hodgson.-a060651472
"I thought I was doing quite a good job there."
Roy Hodgson, on being sacked as Blackburn's Manager
http://www.pedwards.co.uk/mouth.htm
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