BLACKBURN ROVERS pulled off a sporting coup and something of a diplomatic masterstroke yesterday when they named the respected Inter Milan coach Roy Hodgson as their new manager.

The surprising news that Hodgson had agreed to swap Italy for Lancashire should, at least, ensure safe passage for the Blackburn chairman Robert Coar at his club's a.g.m. tonight.

Although Hodgson was invited to take charge at Ewood Park in October following the departure of Ray Harford, his appointment was negotiated and sealed with uncommon urgency earlier this week, presumably to quell a burgeoning grass roots rebellion by a section of the Blackburn support.

Those fans who have become increasingly concerned about Blackburn's dramatic fall from grace will not, however, welcome the news that Hodgson's written agreement with their club would appear to contain a get out clause.

"We wanted a penalty clause put into the agreement and Roy was more than happy to accept it," said Coar. "It means that if hem doesn't take up the job, he will personally have a considerable financial penalty."

Yesterday's announcement came just five days after it was confirmed that the Sampdoria coach Sven Goran Eriksson was to renege on a promise to take over at Blackburn in the summer.

Ironically, Hodgson is scheduled to take up his new post on July 1st, the same starting date to which Eriksson had agreed.

Hodgson (49) established himself as a coach with an enviable grasp of tactics and a sound sense of business acumen during 12 years working in Sweden and with the Swiss national side which he took to the 1994 World Cup finals.