The Fan Hub

The English Football Association introduced their choice for manager to the media on May 1st.

Roy Hodgson began the year managing a mediocre West Bromwich Albion side, and has taken the Baggies to the top half of the table, an impressive feat. Hodgson formerly managed Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, and Liverpool, as well as Inter Milan and Udinese. He is also one of the first England National Team managers to have previous international experience, as a former manager of Switzerland, Finland, and the United Arab Emirates.

Harry Redknapp was the odds-on favorite to become the new England manager; acquitted of tax evasion the same day as Capello quit the England job, it seemed destiny that Redknapp would become the next manager of the English team. In talks between the FA and Redknapp, however, it was determined that he was not to be the choice. Speculation says that the FA were unsatisfied with the apathetic approach Redknapp seemed to take with regard to youth players in the English system.

Hodgson’s immediate task is to perform well at Euro 2012, and performing well for England will likely mean defeating France, winning Group D and reaching the semi-finals at least. He will have to go through the group stage without Wayne Rooney who faced a three match suspension for his conduct in a match against Montenegro.

Managing England’s squad will always carry high expectations, even though pundits do not expect this English side to seriously threaten for the title. The English media and citizenry can be especially vicious when their team does not meet expectations, and after a disappointing performance in the 2010 World Cup, England’s team is in no condition to let their fans down.

Hodgson has signed a four year deal with England, but may see himself out of that position far sooner if he is not able to guide England to international success.