30th April, 2012
Roy Hodgson is set to take charge of England’s assault on the European Championships after it was revealed the West Brom manager was in talks with the Football Association.
The 64-year-old is the only candidate to have been interviewed for the role, despite many tipping Harry Redknapp to succeed Fabio Capello after the Italian quit the post in February.
But the FA have not approached the Tottenham boss, who watched his side keep their Champions League aspirations alive with a 2-0 win over Blackburn earlier on Sunday.
West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace today granted permission for the FA to hold talks with their 64-year-old manager, and Hodgson has already had a conversation with FA chief David Bernstein.
A statement from Bernstein read:”I’m grateful to Jeremy and all at West Bromwich Albion for their co-operation in allowing us to approach Roy, who I have since spoken with.
“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.
“Further conversations will now take place with Roy and my Club England colleagues before any further announcements can be made.”
Hodgson is out of contract in the summer, meaning the FA would not have to pay any costly compensation or become involved in any wrangling with the club. That is in contrast to the situation at Spurs who would expect hefty compensation were the FA to approach them about Redknapp.
Hodgson has coached the Switzerland and Finland national teams with considerable success in the past.