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Schwarzer fears Hodgson could quit Fulham

LONDON - Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer fears Roy Hodgson could be tempted to leave Fulham after his side’s fairytale run to the Europa League final.

The unfashionable Premier League team were beaten 2-1 by Atletico Madrid in Wednesday’s final, but Hodgson’s reputation has been bolstered by impressive European wins over Juventus, Wolfsburg, Hamburg and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Hodgson has already been linked with the Liverpool and England jobs and several other top clubs are monitoring the former Inter Milan boss.

The 62-year-old, who agreed a 12-month rolling contract last December, has indicated he intends to stay at Craven Cottage, but Schwarzer believes Fulham’s startling progress guarantees Hodgson will be given an offer he might not be able to refuse.

“Roy has been phenomenal. Before I arrived at the club the masterstrokes had already begun by keeping Fulham in the Premier League,” Schwarzer said.

“When he backs it up with some of the performances we’ve been able to achieve over the last two years, there are always going to be lots of big clubs who will be interested in his services.

“He was a major factor in me coming to Fulham and I’m sure it was the same for a number of other players.

“He’s done a fantastic job and I’m hoping he stays but who knows what will happen, anything’s possible?

“We’d all like him to stay and we’re all crossing our fingers that he will but only time will tell.”

Schwarzer was part of the Middlesbrough team that lost the 2006 UEFA Cup final and were relegated three years later. He is hoping Fulham avoid a similar fate in the aftermath of their defeat to Atletico.

“Unfortunately, most of the Middlesbrough team broke up after we lost to Seville,” he said.

“It’s well documented what’s happened to Middlesbrough since then. Let’s hope that it doesn’t occur at Fulham.

“It would be a great shame if something like that was to happen.

“The guys really enjoy playing football at the club, it’s a great environment and the set-up is fantastic.

“But in football you never know. Things change and they can sometimes change overnight.”