With the end of the Premier League coming to a close and Euro 2012 over the horizon, the debate over who the new England manager would be came to an end on the 1st May 2012, when The FA announced that Roy Hodgson would be the successor to Fabio Capello. Many were surprised as the talk ever since Capello's resignation was that Harry Redknapp was favourite for the job. The FA have made their choice but was it the right choice?
His managerial record is really impressive, managing teams from all around Europe, from Italian giants, Inter Milan to less known teams like Malmo. Hodgson has also managed national teams, taking the helm of the Swiss and Finnish national team and impressing with a quarter final appearance for the Swiss in the 1994 World Cup, whilst leading Finland to a record high 33rd in the Fifa Rankings. With the vast array of managerial experience under Roy Hodgson's wing, it looks a great appointment, as being national coach previously enables him to adapt his coaching style to suit the infrequent times that he will meet up with the players during the year, whilst Redknapp seems to thrive on building relationships with players on a daily basis.
Although one point which many fans will point to is his largely unsuccessful period at Liverpool in 2010/11, which only lasted 31 games; the shortest reign in Liverpool's history. Many Liverpool fans believe that Hodgson is not able to step up to a "top job" such as the Liverpool job, when given the chance and doubt whether his time as England manager will be successful as the media and fan expectation is always high with every tournament England go to. His tactics have also been questioned, with many describing them as rigid and less adventurous, compared to Harry Redknapp's free flowing style which has been expertly put on show by his Spurs team this season.
Hodgson has enjoyed plenty of success sandwiching his time at Liverpool, he was able to transform Fulham from a club on the brink of relegation in 2007 and guided them to a Europa League final in 2010 where they were narrowly beaten by Atletico Madrid thanks to two goals from Diego Forlan, along that run Fulham provided some excellent performance, most notably the remarkable comeback against Juventus with the Fulham 4-1 down from the first leg and managing to win the tie 5-4 on aggregate. Hodgson enjoyed similar success with his current club West Brom, as he was able to steer them away from relegation, finishing 11th; West Brom's highest league in three decades.
As well as his record on the bench, Hodgson also holds a great influence away from the pitch, Hodgson is a well respected individual in the world game and with the shambles of the unsuccessful bid for the 2018 World Cup, there is no better man than Roy Hodgson to help the FA build bridges with FIFA and its many members again.
Hodgson will offer plenty to the England job, his vast experience will always be a benefit whilst he has always been able to get the best out of players who have been written off, but his negative tactics and his traditional style has placed doubt into many journalists and fans minds. The fans favourite was Harry Redknapp, he was expected to get the job, but now that Hodgson has it, is he able to step up to the job? Only time will tell. Good luck Roy.
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