Schwarzer fears Hodgson exit

The following story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club:

Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has admitted he would not be surprised if manager Roy Hodgson left the club to manage Liverpool.

Hodgson has been installed as one of the favourites to succeed Rafa Benitez in the Anfield hot seat after the Spaniard departed the club on Thursday.

The Cottagers chief has transformed the fortunes of the London club since taking charge in December 2007, staving off relegation before taking them to a European final for the first time in their history.

Such achievements have stood the former Inter boss in good stead to fend off the likes of Martin O'Neill to be chosen for the Liverpool job, and keeper Schwarzer feels the opportunity would be too tempting for the 62-year-old to reject.

The Australian credited Fulham's revival to the work of Hodgson, describing him as 'massive' to their cause, and he feels his boss would find it hard to turn down the lure of managing a club of Liverpool's prestige.

Schwarzer said: "How important is it Hodgson stays at Fulham? It is massive. The gaffer is huge for Fulham. He has done a remarkable job at the club during the past two-and-a-half years.

"It doesn't surprise me if a number of clubs would be after him as a manager given his superb record. The gaffer is at that stage of his career where he is thinking 'will this sort of opportunity come around again?'

"I suppose in a lot of ways you can't blame the guy if an opportunity like this came along. We hope he doesn't go, we hope he stays at Fulham, but we will have to wait and see what happens. But I wouldn't blame him at all (if he decides to move), not at all.

"It is Liverpool you are talking about, a huge club, who normally compete in the Champions League every season.

"There are four or five such clubs in the country and there would be very few managers or players who would find it difficult to resist going to them."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.