STANDING aside the training pitch at Liverpool’s picturesque Bad Ragaz retreat in Switzerland, Roy Hodgson cheerfully signs autographs to the smattering of curious locals and hardcore supporters that have turned out to watch the manager put his new charges through their paces.

Public relations completed, Hodgson begins to field inquiries over his squad’s latest acquisition, Joe Cole.

Then comes the question, one that has barely been completed when the manager intervenes forcefully.

So, did Cole, as the cynics are implying, simply come to Liverpool for the money?

“If we had thought for one minute that we were just in an auction that could be raised for him, we would have pulled out early doors,” responds Hodgson.

“We only stayed in the race to get his signature because we believed in him. He wanted to come to a club where he was going to play and felt wanted; where people believe in him.

“He is going to get a chance to show what a good player he is. That is the most important thing and I was able to tell him he would get all that here.

“He will enjoy it at Liverpool. He will enjoy the way we are going to work. Hopefully we will enjoy him and what he can do.”

With Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard having successfully sold the club to Cole during England’s ill-fated World Cup adventure, it was left to Hodgson to seal the deal.

“I had a long meeting with him before coming here (to Switzerland),” says the manager. “It was probably a day or so after I had taken the job.

“We made it clear to him that if it was just going to be an auction about who pays the most money, we would rather not take part. But he made it clear that wasn’t the name of the game.

“He wanted a good wage because he was on a free transfer but the football was always going to be the decisive thing. To be frank, I don’t know what he is earning – I don’t want to know.

“I haven’t spoken to (managing director) Christian Purslow about it. He had long and tough negotiations with his advisers; they wanted the most that they could get.

“We wanted to pay at level that we thought was right for the club. I know Christian is happy with the outcome but I don’t know what it is. It doesn’t interest me.”