What started as a Sunday rumor quickly built to a breaking story and, now, an inevitability.
Roy Hodgson is going to be the next England manager, according to the Guardian. That’s not The Sun or The Daily Mail or FOX News covering a Democratic convention. That’s the freakin’ Guardian, who are reporting that not only will formal talks take place on Monday but The FA has no back-up plan. Theirs is a list of one: Hodgson; no Harry Redknapp.
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.
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Just so we don’t have to speak in frivolous conditionals, let’s go ahead an assume this happens.
Even looking at this from a U.S. point of view (where we’ve seen a couple of switcheroos around the U.S. Men’s National Team post) this is an amazing turn of events. In the wake of Capello’s resignation, Redknapp was assumed to be the England boss, having openly stated his desire to be named to the post. Various dignitaries around (and in) The FA lauded his credentials, giving the appointment a feeling of inevitability.
Only a few people harkening back to Hodgson’s pre-Liverpool status bothered to note the former Fulham boss might actually be a better appointment.
Since, Spurs have nosedived from third to fifth. Helpless and without a clue as to how Tottenham can reverse course, Redknapp and his disastrous spring have The FA’s revisiting old ideas.
Back when Hodgson was guiding the Cottagers to the edge of a Europa League title, it was thought he would eventually succeed Don Fabio. Then Liverpool happened, and while few blamed him for his players’ recalcitrance, it opened the door for Redknapp’s exploits to overshadow Hodgson.
All along, though, the coaches’ characteristics remained the same. Redknapp has always been most successful when allowed to collect players like ingredients from a market before going home to make the meal (chef metaphors are always required in these analyses). In contrast, Hodgson has always been a man would could walk into any kitchen, take whatever’s in the pantry and make something decent.
Would it be a world class, five-course meal? No, but it will be tasty enough.
Suffice to say few have compared the current England national team to world class, five-course meal. When you’re managing an international team, you can’t just go out an buy ingredients. You’ve got to make due with what you have.
It appears The FA kept this in mind all along. They’re now set to name England’s best manager to the national team’s job. While you can’t help but feel for Harry Redknapp (having come so close only to lose from ahead), England will likely be better for it.
