Formal talks will take place between Hodgson and the FA chairman, David Bernstein, on Monday, with the former Internazionale, Fulham and, briefly, 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 on Sunday night that no other candidates had been approached and Hodgson's was the only name on their shortlist, with negotiations over his contract expected to prove straightforward.
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 with the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 in mind. "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. Further conversations will now take place with Roy and my Club England colleagues."
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.
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| Redknapp, Favorite for the job snubbed |
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 – from first team to juniors – which will be based at the new St George's Park complex outside Burton-on-Trent from September. He is unlikely to insist upon bringing an extensive coaching staff with him when accepting the role, meaning the likes of Stuart Pearce, who is in charge of the senior side on an interim basis and will coach the Great Britain men's Olympics team in the summer, can be retained to ensure some level of continuity.
Hodgson has in the past described the possibility of managing his country as "a tremendous honour" and, although West Bromwich had hoped to extend his stay after seeing him establish the club in the top flight since replacing Roberto Di Matteo in February 2011, he has indicated to Peace that he cannot turn this opportunity down.
"Roy has done a fantastic job over the past 15 months and the fact the FA want to discuss the England role with him is testament to that," said Peace. "Roy is a proud Englishman and we can understand why he wants to speak to the FA about this highly prestigious managerial position.
"However, we have emphasised to Roy how much we would like him to remain as our head coach and continue his major contribution to our project at The Hawthorns as we look to establish ourselves as a Barclays Premier League club. Everyone here has an excellent working relationship with him and he is immensely popular with our supporters."
Those hopes are set to be dashed, though Hodgson will depart on good terms. His elevation to England represents reward for a 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 in succession to Rafael BenÃtez but lasted only 191 days in the role with the club in the midst of a takeover battle.
However, his subsequent success at The Hawthorns, steering the Baggies to safety last term and mid-table this time around, has ensured his reputation has not been tarnished.
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