Roy Hodgson today dismissed Mohamed Fayed's claims that he took advantage of Fulham by joining Liverpool, saying he could not resist a move to a "big club".
The 62-year-old's hugely successful stay at Craven Cottage — in which the club recorded their best finish in the top-flight and reached the Europa League Final — ended last month when he became Anfield boss.
Fayed presented his new manager, Mark Hughes, to the media yesterday and during the press conference the Fulham owner thanked Hodgson for his work only to then have a dig at him.
"Mark Hughes has inherited a great team which had fantastic results but unfortunately this guy [Hodgson], after we put him where he is now, he took advantage and left us," said Fayed.
Hodgson today defended his position, saying he had attempted to explain to his former boss why he had to leave.
"I tried to persuade him that Liverpool were a big club but I failed," he said.
"I can only thank him for the time I had at the club. It would have been good if he could have said something nice about me but I guess I will have to take it on the chin."
Hodgson is set to bring back some of his big names for tomorrow's Europa League third qualifying round second leg at home to Rabotnicki.
Despite leading the tie 2-0, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and new signing Joe Cole are likely to feature.
