Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes there was an "agenda" against old mate Roy Hodgson at Liverpool from the word go.
Hodgson was dumped by the Anfield outfit last week after struggling to get them above mid-table since his arrival in the summer.
Although his exit was widely expected, it still came as a shock barely six months after his successful stint at Fulham.
Ferguson has already faced his successor - Kenny Dalglish - and seen Manchester United dash the early optimism generated by his fellow Scot with a 1-0 FA Cup win last weekend.
But the circumstances surrounding Hodgson's departure remain a mystery to the United chief. "It was disappointing for Roy," said Ferguson.
"I think there was obviously a bit of a campaign to get him out. "There is no question about that. "It's disappointing because he had the experience to do the job - but not the players, obviously.
"I don't know the full circumstances of how he was operating but you had the feeling through the media that he was on a hiding to nothing."
