Hodgson named England manager
Friday, 4th May 2012 at 04:35am
Former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson was named as the new England coach by the Football Association on Tuesday and handed a four-year contract that will cover the next three major international tournaments.
Should he see out his deal worth an estimated 2.5 million a year, Hodgson will hope to lead England at Euro 2012 in Poland and the Ukraine, the 2014 Brazil World Cup and Euro 2016 in France.
The 64-year-old succeeds Italian Fabio Capello who was appointed after England failed to reach Euro 2008 and led them to South Africa 2010 and saw them qualify for this summer's tournament.
The England manager's role will be Hodgson's fourth international position after having coach Switzerland, the UAE and Finland.
The current West Bromwich Albion boss has also coached 18 different club sides in a career that has spanned 36 years.
"Let's hope we can get everybody behind us and make certain that we work as a team and help the team get the results everyone in England expects and wants," said Hodgson.
Hodgson, who oversaw a troubled 6-month spell in charge of Liverpool before being dismissed by FSG and replaced by Kenny Dalglish, was seen by many as a surprise choice to take the job.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was seen as the favourite to take the position among players, the media, supporters and bookmakers after Capello stepped aside in February.
But the FA said that Hodgson was the "unanimous choice" to lead the Three Lions over the next four years.
A statement issued by the FA said it was "delighted" to name Hodgson as the new England manager.
"Hodgson has won a total of eight league titles in a distinguished career, and coached the national teams of Switzerland, Finland and the United Arab Emirates," it added.
"Along with his vast experience of international and European football, Hodgson is the only English manager currently working in the top flight to have won the League Managers' Association Manager of the Year award."
Hodgson faces a baptism of fire with just two friendly matches against Norway and Belgium before England begin their Euro 2012 campaign against France on June 11.
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