ROY HODGSON is set to be named as England’s new manager after the English FA opted against making an approach for Harry Redknapp and were granted permission to talk to the West Bromwich Albion head coach.
Formal talks will take place between Hodgson and the FA chairman, David Bernstein, today, with the former Internazionale, Fulham and Liverpool manager having expressed a desire to take up the reins with the national side.
Although Redknapp, the Tottenham Hotspur manager, had initially appeared to be favourite to fill the position vacated by Fabio Capello in February, the FA said last night that no other candidates had been approached and Hodgson’s was the only name on their shortlist.
The 64-year-old would complete the season at The Hawthorns before turning his attentions to England ahead of Euro 2012, though the FA is understood to consider him very much a long-term appointment.
“I’m grateful to [the chairman] Jeremy Peace and all at West Bromwich Albion for their co-operation in allowing us to approach Roy, whom I have since spoken with,” said Bernstein. “Roy is the only manager we have approached and we remain on course to make an appointment within the timescale we set out soon after Fabio Capello’s departure.”
The fact that Hodgson, who began his coaching career with Halmstad in Sweden in 1976, has considerable experience as an international manager after spells with Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and Finland was an added attraction for Bernstein and those on the four-man Club England board charged with replacing Capello. He lost only four of 30 qualifying ties over his spells with those three countries and guided the Swiss to the World Cup in 1994 and Euro 96, resigning before the finals.
His contract at West Bromwich expires on June 30th, negating the need to pay his club any compensation. That would not have been the case with Redknapp, who would have cost the FA upwards of £8 million to secure from Spurs.
Although the lack of even an approach for Redknapp constitutes a surprise, the Club England panel’s decision not to contact the Tottenham chairman, Daniel Levy, apparently does not represent a change of tack. Hodgson is well respected and is considered the ideal candidate to oversee the entire national set-up.
Hodgson’s nomadic coaching career that has taken him from Viking Stavanger to Neuchatel Xamax, Bristol City to Inter, with spells at Blackburn Rovers and, most successfully, Fulham in the Premier League. Having steered the London club to the Europa League final in 2010, he was appointed as Liverpool manager but lasted 191 days with the club in the midst of a takeover battle.
His subsequent success at The Hawthorns, steering the club to safety last term and mid-table this time around, has ensured his reputation has not been tarnished.
