Next England Manager

[LeTiss 4pm]

I notice the FA are suggesting an approach for their man is imminent. They've said all along they would wait until the season was done & dusted before starting the process.

This possibly backs up my hunch all along. I suspect Harry Redknapp isn't their man after all, I think it's Roy Hodgson.

West Brom are now safe in mid-table, but Spurs still have CL qualification to play for, so it's now safe to approach Roy.

He's vastly more experienced than Harry. He's managed on the continent including giants like Inter Milan. He's won titles in Sweden, taken Inter and Fulham to the UEFA Cup/Europa League Final, and also has International experience, including Finland, UAE, and most notably taking Switzerland to the USA World Cup of 1994. He's a diplomat, so would have no trouble working with the FA, he's good with the media, and dare I say it, he has no skeletons like Redknapp. I think he could be a good speculative trade this week at odds of 8 or 9

[Ferru123]

Chris Hughton has touched 1000 on Betfair, which I think is crazy. OK, he's not a front runner, but what he did at Newcastle shows he's capable of turning around a demoralised team, which is what England are right now. And at a time when the government is complaining about why there aren't more black managers in top flight football, his appointment would show the FA to be a modern, progressive organisation...

Jeff

[LeTiss 4pm]

Jeff, I went off on a tangent with Hodgson's credentials, but my main point was that the FA claimed they would not approach their man whilst the season was still alive. Yesterday, they were suggesting their approach will be made soon, possibly even this week. The only major candidate whose season is now over, is Hodgson. This weekends results and remaining fixtures for the bottom 6 mean WBA on 42 points are definitely safe.

I just thought that was an interesting change in their body language

[Ferru123]

It's also interesting that it co-incides with a sharp improvement in form from Chelsea and City.

Perhaps the people on the shortlist are no longer waiting to see if someone can offer them a better contract than the FA, come the summer...

Jeff

[LeTiss 4pm]

Did anyone take the price on offer?

Hodgson now trading at 1.43 after WBA have given England permission to speak to him

I just greened up, caps off a very nice day

[PeterLe]

Did anyone take the price on offer?

Hodgson now trading at 1.43 after WBA have given England permission to speak to him

I just greened up, caps off a very nice day

Nice one LeTiss; you're on a roll lately!

[Morph]

Congratulations Le Tiss.

Wish I had read your well reasoned post before now. A superb piece of deduction.

[Euler]

Well done LeTiss, spot on. I laid Redknapp in the hope he would drift a bit at some point. But still surprised they are going for Hodgson.

Given Hodgson's performance at Blackburn and Liverpool I think the next trade should be to lay England at Euro 2012.

[superfrank]

nice one LeTiss.

can't say it fills me with much hope as an Englishman. i think his best years are behind him (he looks old and tired now), but i guess he deserves a chance.

i think he's gonna need to get off to a good start in order to instill some confidence into the players - they were expecting Redknapp and many seemed excited at that prospect.

England always worth a lay Euler!, but if the players warm to him, and he can get them playing without fear, then there's always a chance we could do well (and we owe Germany a good beating!).

[Euler]

Euro 2012 will define or destroy Hodgson's career I reckon. If they fail gallantly then he will get the chance to rebuild. If the totally flunk it then it will look like the wrong decision.