Hodgson Confirmed as New England Manager

Roy Hodgson has been appointed the new England manager on a four-year deal.

The 64-year-old succeeds Fabio Capello, who resigned in February, and interim boss Stuart Pearce, who took charge of the last friendly with Holland.

Hodgson leaves West Bromwich Albion, currently 10<sup>th in the Premier League, at the end of the season having spent 15 months in charge at The Hawthorns.

"It's a very proud day for me. I'm a very happy man to be offered the chance of managing my country," Hodgson said.

"I hope everyone gets behind the team. I've been working in this country in the last five years so most players are known to me even though I haven't worked with most of them.

"I think England always have to go into tournaments to win them because we are a major football nation.

"The players would be disappointed if we didn't expect less of them than trying to win the tournament. It's always a big job to win people over and it's important first of all to have the chance."

The Football Association's confirmation completes a dramatic U-turn in the search for a new manager, with bookies favourite Harry Redknapp, currently manager of Tottenham Hotspur, having been overlooked for the role.

Stand-in boss Pearce, who will lead Team GB during the Olympic football tournament, was widely expected to take over for the summer's European Championships, having taken charge during the defeat to Holland over two months ago, such was the delay in announcing a new man.

FA chairman David Bernstein said: "Today concludes a process that began on Fabio Capello's resignation.

"I can confirm we only approached one club. We initially put together a list of names for consideration and then made a shortlist.

"Roy is a manager with vast experience in international and European football. It is the first time we have appointed a manager with international experience

"Roy has been given a four-year contract which will take us through the Euro 2012 Championship, World Cup in 2014 and European Championship in 2016.

"I would like to give my thanks to Stuart Pearce, taking on so much responsibility in the interim. There is much to look forward to. It's a hugely exciting time for us all.

"We had a shortlist and it was never just two people. This was not a two man race."

The Croydon-born boss brings with him a wealth of managerial experience, having taken charge of 18 sides over a 36-year career coaching career.

His reputation was originally built on his success in Sweden, with domestic title successes with Halmstad and Malmo sandwiching his first spell in England with Bristol City and another Scandanvian outfit Orbro.

In 1992 he was appointed the manager of Switzerland where he took the club to the World Cup last-16 in 1994 and to third in the FIFA World rankings.

Those international exploits earned him a role with Serie A giants Inter Milan, where he guided the Nerazzurri to the UEFA Cup final in 1997, eventually losing to Schalke 04.

A return to English shores wasn't brimmed with success, with Hodgson taking Blackburn Rovers from Premier League contenders to relegation candidates, while his next significant success came with FC Copenhagen in 2001 as he claimed the Danish League title.

Spells with the United Arab Emirates and Finland followed, where he failed to qualify for the 2008 European Championships, before a move to Fulham, where after saving the club from relegation in his first season, saw him reach the Europa League final in 2010, losing to Athletic Madrid.

His impressive showing with The Whites assisted in him winning a post with Liverpool, a torrid spell which lasted just six months, however his appointment at West Brom helped him resume his success as he steered the club away from relegation to mid-table in the Premier League

Hodgson will take charge for the final two games of the season, against Bolton Wanderers this weekend, and at home to Arsenal on the final day of the campaign.

Hawthorns chairman, Jeremy Peace said: "Roy's appointment as England Manager is obviously disappointing news for the Club as we would have liked him to sign a new contract, which was in the process of negotiation, and remain as our Head Coach.

"But we understand Roy's desire to take the England job and he will leave us after the Arsenal game on May 13 with our best wishes.

"Of course, with Euro 2012 around the corner, we appreciate that some of Roy's focus over the next 12 days will be on England matters."

The Baggies henchman will be charged with uniting a group of players, who have consistently underwhelmed at major tournaments, in time for the summer's European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.

England face Norway in Oslo on 26 May, set to be Hodgson's first game in charge, before finalising his squad for the summer before the 31 May deadline, prior to the final warm-up game against Belgium on 2 June at Wembley.

Drawn against France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine in Group D, England face an uphill battle to qualify for the last-eight at Euro 2012, where they could be paired with either Italy or Spain, winners of the last two World Cup tournaments.