The experienced coach took the Anfield hot-seat over the summer in the knowledge that the club could fall under new ownership during his tenure. It appears as though the Reds are now closing on such a deal, with the owners of the Boston Red Sox baseball team seeing a £300million bid accepted. There are still a number of issues to resolve before an agreement can be pushed through, as current owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks dig in their heels, but the Liverpool board are confident a takeover will be completed. Such an event cannot come soon enough for the faltering Reds, with off-field shenanigans proving to be an unwelcome distraction. A torrid opening to the 2010/11 campaign has left them languishing in the Premier League relegation zone, with their dreams of returning to the top four lying in tatters. The slow start has seen pressure mount on Hodgson, just a few months into his reign on Merseyside. He has, however, been informed by club chairman Martin Broughton that the prospective new owners still regard him as the ideal candidate to lead the side into an exciting new future. "They are very happy that this manager is the right person to take this club forward," said Broughton. "They talk enthusiastically about winning and investing in the team, stadium development and doing all the right things. "I think they are going to be pretty hands-on and they have a track record of that." Meanwhile, Hodgson is hopeful the takeover will be concluded sooner rather than later. Hodgson has welcomed news that the Reds' board have agreed a sale of the club to New England Sports Ventures (NESV). Hicks and Gillett are to launch a legal challenge on the accepted bid, meaning prospective owner John W Henry may have to wait to become the Merseysiders' new chief in command. Hodgson is simply pleased to see the club moving in the right direction. "It's very positive and of course I'm delighted," the Reds boss told the club's official website. "It's been going on a long time and I know how hard the board have worked to set things up. "I know it's not easy for them because the owners have other ideas in terms of the sale of the club and what is achievable. "But I was delighted to hear the news and have it confirmed that it looks like it is going to go through."
